In 2009 he said: Chris Eubank told Steve Bunce's Boxing Hour that James DeGale will fail as a professional because he lacks the hunger to succeed.
Having picked up Olympic gold in Beijing, Degale’s star has continued to rise since he signed professional terms with Frank Warren on whose bill he will make his debut on February 28.
However, former WBO middleweight and super middleweight champion Eubank fears that he might struggle to fend off the outside pressures that continue to accompany his career.
"Stay away from sin, stay away from guests,” he told Bunce on Setanta Sports News on Thursday. “You have to fight, you have to spar. Gifts kill your hunger. Fame kills your hunger. Girls will destroy you.
“Fighters who have their own way all the time. They become white elephants. The best example of this is Audley Harrison.
"I hear James DeGale is getting a £1 million. I guarantee you he will fail. It robs your hunger. I fought Michael Watson. I wanted respect. I got up to carry on because I didn't have respect."
Eubank had it spot on. I'm not saying Degale will turn into Audley, but I'm starting to think Degale lacks the hunger to make it at world level.
Having picked up Olympic gold in Beijing, Degale’s star has continued to rise since he signed professional terms with Frank Warren on whose bill he will make his debut on February 28.
However, former WBO middleweight and super middleweight champion Eubank fears that he might struggle to fend off the outside pressures that continue to accompany his career.
"Stay away from sin, stay away from guests,” he told Bunce on Setanta Sports News on Thursday. “You have to fight, you have to spar. Gifts kill your hunger. Fame kills your hunger. Girls will destroy you.
“Fighters who have their own way all the time. They become white elephants. The best example of this is Audley Harrison.
"I hear James DeGale is getting a £1 million. I guarantee you he will fail. It robs your hunger. I fought Michael Watson. I wanted respect. I got up to carry on because I didn't have respect."
Eubank had it spot on. I'm not saying Degale will turn into Audley, but I'm starting to think Degale lacks the hunger to make it at world level.
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