Is James Degale Now The Boss Of 168 With Ward Moving To 175?

**TripleGFightFan** · 10-21-2015, 05:59 AM

Originally posted by FlatLine

Ward seems to be making the transition to 175 for the Kovalev fight. His last fight was at a 172 catchweight and he weighed almost **** on the button. My guess is that his next fight will be 173.5 catchweight. Logically it makes sense for the transition as he makes the gradual increase in 7 pounds of weight from 168 to 175 over the course of a few fights in preparation for the big Kovalev showdown

With Ward now probably waving goodbye to 168 does James Degale become the number 1 fighter in the entire division?

A question also worth considering: does Ward think Kovalev is an easier fight than Degale, and is Degale essentially chasing Ward out of the division like Khan chased Floyd into retirement?

Degale becomes the man at 168 but not because he chased Ward out of the division...if anything Ward was ducked out of the division...Froch refused to rematch him unless it was in England and Ward did play hardball as well but hey he whooped everybody in the Super 6

I think Ward believes Kovalev and Golovkin are easier fights for him regardless...there are a few names at LHW that might make things interesting like Stevenson, Kovalev, Beterbiev, Tureano Johnson, but not really that much...he might have to move up to HW too just to silence the critics if he makes things look too easy...

**MDPopescu** · 10-21-2015, 06:04 AM

Originally posted by FlatLine

Ward seems to be making the transition to 175 for the Kovalev fight. His last fight was at a 172 catchweight and he weighed almost **** on the button. My guess is that his next fight will be 173.5 catchweight. Logically it makes sense for the transition as he makes the gradual increase in 7 pounds of weight from 168 to 175 over the course of a few fights in preparation for the big Kovalev showdown

With Ward now probably waving goodbye to 168 does James Degale become the number 1 fighter in the entire division?

A question also worth considering: does Ward think Kovalev is an easier fight than Degale, and is Degale essentially chasing Ward out of the division like Khan chased Floyd into retirement?

Ward may very well fight again at 168 in the near future, with no big problems. In fact, Ward didn't make a formal announcement about the direction he is heading.

... DeGale is facing old Bute next, right? In Quebec...

**Bozbay** · 10-21-2015, 06:10 AM

Originally posted by FlatLine

Ward seems to be making the transition to 175 for the Kovalev fight. His last fight was at a 172 catchweight and he weighed almost **** on the button. My guess is that his next fight will be 173.5 catchweight. Logically it makes sense for the transition as he makes the gradual increase in 7 pounds of weight from 168 to 175 over the course of a few fights in preparation for the big Kovalev showdown

With Ward now probably waving goodbye to 168 does James Degale become the number 1 fighter in the entire division?

A question also worth considering: does Ward think Kovalev is an easier fight than Degale, and is Degale essentially chasing Ward out of the division like Khan chased Floyd into retirement?

What I just highlighted in bold may have been the biggest pile of bull**** I have seen this week. That's just my opinion of course, do not take offence to it.

But to answer your first question, yes, but momentarily. After Golovkin unifies 160 by beating Cotto or Canelo next year, assuming that fight is made, he will jump up to 168 and be the top guy there. I can see why DeGale may be considered the top guy at 168 by some if Andre moves up.

**Eff Pandas** · 10-21-2015, 06:17 AM

If Ward is gone I think someone will have to claim 168 with a W or two to really be the boss.

I think Abraham, DeGale & Jack all arguably could be considered the #1 guy with Ward gone. Just depends how much you wanna argue a lil (Abraham), sorta (DeGale) or a lot (Jack). And hell man I think Gilberto Ramirez is probably gonna be the real boss @ 168 in 12-18mos & have a nicer run than any of the 3 guys I'm talking about who are at the top right now. So whoever ends up on top now is just keeping it warm for Ramirez.

**Butt stuff** · 10-21-2015, 06:18 AM

Originally posted by FlatLine

Ward seems to be making the transition to 175 for the Kovalev fight. His last fight was at a 172 catchweight and he weighed almost **** on the button. My guess is that his next fight will be 173.5 catchweight. Logically it makes sense for the transition as he makes the gradual increase in 7 pounds of weight from 168 to 175 over the course of a few fights in preparation for the big Kovalev showdown

With Ward now probably waving goodbye to 168 does James Degale become the number 1 fighter in the entire division?

A question also worth considering: does Ward think Kovalev is an easier fight than Degale, and is Degale essentially chasing Ward out of the division like Khan chased Floyd into retirement?

Khan is dog poo poo & degale is pretty good but both get beat by their respective dance partners. I could see Ward being interested in coming back down for a 168 fight if he managed his weight properly though.

**Weebler I** · 10-21-2015, 06:24 AM

Isn't Abraham officially #1? I do think DeGale beats him though.

**FlatLine** · 10-21-2015, 07:51 AM

Basic poll added, quick 1

**1hourRun** · 10-21-2015, 08:31 AM

Yeah ....Ring has 168 Champion vacated I guess Chunky is the front runner: Abraham was stuck in a Time-warp fighting Steiglitz for the 1,000 time -- And nice try making Degale to be the boogie man, Kovalev is the Monster why dont Chunky get him some of that?

**LacedUp** · 10-21-2015, 08:34 AM

I would say he's probably the best. But Abraham deserves to be #1 if Ward moves up until Degale racks up a few more good wins.

Is James Degale Now The Boss Of 168 With Ward Moving To 175?