By Mark Vester

Last week, Olympic gold medal winner James DeGale lashed out at countrymen Joe Calzaghe, vowing to make Calzaghe eat his words. DeGale was upset over some printed comments that quoted Calzaghe, who per the quotes, questioned DeGale's ability to make a big impact as a pro. The 23-year-old middleweight won gold at the 2008 Beijing games and he recently signed a two-year deal with promoter Frank Warren worth £1.5 million.
 
"B******s. I'm so disappointed because Calzaghe is one of my all-time favourite boxers. I'm hurt, man. As a fighter he is wicked, I love him. But why should he slag me off, dissing me like that, and saying my hunger's gone because I'm a millionaire already? I wish I was," DeGale told The Sun.

"People read I'm getting £1.5m for turning pro but that's not in my bank yet. It's spread over two years. OK, if things go right I will be a millionaire. But even then I wouldn't want people to think because I get a bit of money my hunger's gone. Boxing's all I do and anything I get I earn the hard way. I just can't wait to prove people like him wrong."

Calzaghe responded to DeGale in the South Wales Argus and claims that his words were twisted around to create headlines.

"I feel bad about how the story has been portrayed because it’s not really what I said – or how I meant to say it – and I would like to clear things up here. What I did say, and what I believe, is that it’s very difficult for the Olympians, who become instant millionaires, to maintain the same hunger and desire as those fighters who come into the professional ranks with nothing and spend years toiling before they can afford to buy a house," Calzaghe said.

"Whoever you are, that is likely to be the case. I don’t think I’d have enjoyed a quarter of the success I have if I had been rich from day one. Some people will see it as envy, but that really isn’t the case. I was very wary of being perceived to be slagging off James, because from what I hear, he’s a very nice kid and I think he’s very talented. Also, I know that he says I am his favourite fighter, which is brilliant to hear. "

During Calzaghe's praise of DeGale, Calzaghe took a swipe at heavyweight Audley Harrison, who won a gold medal at the 2000 Games, but struggled badly as a pro.

"I wish nothing but success for James and hope he fulfils his dream of becoming a champion fighter. It’s not like I was comparing him to a joker like Audley Harrison. I was merely pointing out that he has to stay focused and not become preoccupied with the TV appearances and fast cars. Can he be a world champion? It’s impossible to say really. But if he keeps his feet on the ground, he’ll go far. I would never want to be seen as someone who doesn’t want to see our young British fighters achieve all that they can," Calzaghe said.

Send News Tips and Comments To Mark Vester @ boxingvester@gmail.com