By Terence Dooley
James DeGale's grudge match against Liverpool's Carl Dilks was tipped as the potential upset of the night ahead of Frank Warren's LG Arena, Birmingham card on Saturday only for 'Chunky' to produce the performance of his career to force a stoppage at 2:54 of the opening round. Dilks was bloodied around the nose and right eye and the Liverpool fighter, although not caught cleanly during the fight-ending flurry, was pulled out at the right time by referee Howard Foster.
Dilks, though, feels that he could have continued, this belief will be amplified by the fact that there were only six seconds left in the session; the former soldier, however, looked dazed at the conclusion and had found DeGale's speed and power too much.
Indeed, Dilks (11st 13lb 8oz) may have quickened his own fate, he served notice of his own ability by landing a beautiful right hand on DeGale (12st at the second attempt after coming in an oz over) early in the round, the Olympic gold medallist responded with a right hook to the head that forced Dilks, now 14-3 (5), onto the back-foot. A right uppercut from the southpaw stance of DeGale started the rot and was a wonderfully picked shot.
DeGale, who rises to 8-0 (6 early), put himself in line for a British super-middleweight title fight, this was an eliminator for the belt held by Paul Smith, he looked pleased with his night's work when speaking to me after the bout. “I'm feeling good and ready to fight again on December 11th,” he smiled.
“I said before it is all about levels but I thought it would last a little longer to be honest with you. It was a good match between two British fighters and it was good for the proper boxing people. I think the future's bright,” predicted the personable 24-year-old prospect.
“You know what, I never got out off first gear. I was just getting warmed up, my arms were just getting warmed up, and you saw me win that one in second gear – I'm not lying.”
“It happened so quick” admitted DeGale when asked if he felt it was a fair stoppage. “I got in there and felt I could see everything he wanted to do, he was slow. I knew he was going to go within six but didn't know he was going to go in one. He can't have any complaints, he was all over the ropes and taking a beating.”
DeGale shook his head when asked if he'd struggled to take off the last couple of lbs prior to Friday's weigh-in, he also laughed off rumours that he had taken his foot off the gas when preparing for this one and had been 6lbs over earlier in the week.
“I'm with the best fitness trainer in the world and will always be one hundred percent with [trainer] Jimmy McDonnell. I train really hard and am always fully concentrated when I get in the ring so no one has to worry,” he insisted.
“Listen, we're professionals. Super-middleweight is not a problem, I make it easy. I was an ounce overweight. In my first professional fight I was 2lb under and was 3lb under for [Ciaran] Healey [in fight number three] – I could do middleweight if I had to. It was a silly mistake, I shouldn't have had that cup of tea in the morning. Jim is a fitness fanatic so I'll never be out-off-shape.”
Paul Smith holds the Lonsdale belt yet the Londoner is the only British super-middleweight not calling for 'Smigga'; the Harlesden-based boxer believes that Smith will vacate sooner rather than later and spare them both a divisive meeting.
“If I had to but I'm friends with the family and very good friends with his younger brother,” said DeGale when asked if he will have to fight his promotional stablemate. “I wouldn't want to, it wouldn't be nice, but if I had to then it would be business. Anyway, I think Paul will move on and vacate it at the end of the year. I'll probably fight for the vacant title.”
He added: “I'll fight whoever they put in front of me (for the vacant belt)! I was going to box Paul David [Smith's next opponent] myself but it didn't come up. Now he's boxing for a British title so it shows the levels and that I'm coming up fast.”
DeGale was greeted by a smattering of boos when making his way to the ring on Saturday night. However, he believes that his ability to back up the boasts is endearing him to British boxing fans.
He said: “There were still a couple of boos but listen, every great fighter gets that – they turned to cheers when I got the stoppage. I'm not the full Monty yet, I'm still learning, but I talk the talk and then walk the walk.”
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