By Terence Dooley
James DeGale moved to 6-0 (5 KOs) with a three knockdown, second round stoppage win over Matthew Barr at Wembley Arena, London last night, with the fighter himself expressing surprise over how powerfully he is punching in the pro ranks. DeGale told Sportinglife.com that trainer Jim McDonnell has been working on James’s power, with the results speaking for themselves thus far in his fledgling career.
“The power is definitely coming on better than I had expected. If you look at my first fight I was tip-tapping, I threw about six power shots. Now, while not every shot is a power shot, I think the opponents are feeling it. The power is coming on fantastically. I pick my punches well. That's what Jim is trying to drill into me in the gym. I think I'm coming on well and there's more to come from me, I'm going to get better and better,” declared DeGale.
Indeed, James has come on since his pro debut, a tepid points win over Vepkhia Tchilaia last February, and the confident Londoner feels that he is on the fast track to domestic titles. “I'm ready whenever. If Frank [Warren] said to me this morning, 'Oh, we need you to jump in and box for the British title' I would have done it. Definitely by the end of the year I want to be some sort of domestic champion. The future's bright, the future is Chunky. Trust me,” predicted the 24-year-old former Olympic Gold medallist.
George Groves has recently thrown down the gauntlet to DeGale, Kenny Anderson is also waiting in the wings – the 168lb division could be set for some interesting times.
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