Comments Thread For: James DeGale Vacates IBF Title, No Jose Uzcategui Fight

[Holler]

I'd be down with your sentiment if his recent record was impressive but it's not been. A dubious draw to Badou Jack followed by a loss to Truax and then winning unconvincingly in a stinky rematch isn't the kind of form that grants you the privilege to evade a legit challenger like Uzcategui and avoid criticism. .

I would separate the quality of recent performances from the courage question though. It's not good form that would legitimise swerving this mandatory, it's his age and condition.

He's proved himself taking tough fights overseas, arguably to the detriment of his long term career. Too many wars, too many times extended. He now has a limited time left to make money before retirement. I'd argue he's earned that right.

[R_Walken]

I’m a fan of Degeale but this is a f.ucking wack move on his part

I’m all for fighter going after big $ fights but still a b.itch move by Degeale

[Beercules]

Anyone have the photo of James missing his teeth

[sportbuddha]

He’s a shot fighter, best he can hope for is a couple of big pay days

[Holler]

I’m a fan of Degeale but this is a f.ucking wack move on his part

I’m all for fighter going after big $ fights but still a b.itch move by Degeale

Except this:

He’s a shot fighter, best he can hope for is a couple of big pay days

Too many wars, some bad calls in his approach. He's past defending titles to up and coming talent. He's going to trade on his name recognition with one or possibly two more fights then Chunky is done.

[R_Walken]

Except this:



Too many wars, some bad calls in his approach. He's past defending titles to up and coming talent. He's going to trade on his name recognition with one or possibly two more fights then Chunky is done.

Agree with what you wrote

But it’d still be nice to see Degeale defend his strap like a true champion

If he wants to cash out against some of UKs big names( Groves , Saunders ) , cool . But why even get the strap back from Truax if he didn’t even want to hold onto it or defend it knowing this fight was in the pipeline

But I find it hard to believe him dropping his belt like this enhances his marketing ability back home no shame in losing to a fighter like Ucatazai

[MDPopescu]

... sad news...

... but DeGale already lost to Caleb Truax - ranked at #55 by BoxRec, back then...

[Noelanthony]

Straight duck. If this is the kind of coward stunt he's pulling then he might as well retire right now.

Cmon who exactly is he ducking? He got sucka punched by a fat uncle that is the only reason why I know dude.

Degale is finished don’t get me wrong but he has never ducked a fight and he takes on all comers in their back yard too. Let’s see who he is fighting next before we say he is ducking.If his next fight happened to be Billy joe or the Charlo’s would you say he ducked( whatever his f#cking name is) to fight them?

[Holler]

If he wants to cash out against some of UKs big names( Groves , Saunders ) , cool . But why even get the strap back from Truax if he didn’t even want to hold onto it or defend it knowing this fight was in the pipeline

I think the plan was to use the belt to get a better deal from whomever he fought. He couldn't do a deal before the mandatory came up however and had to weigh the dangers of taking the fight and what another loss would do to his rep so soon after Truax against what the belt brought.

Boxing is often about timing isn't it? Groves being in the tournament, Eubank going back to school etc. None of it happened at the right time for Degale.

[Thraxox]

People sicken me. He clearly knows he no longer has the physical prowess or durability anymore to compete at the highest level and James fought the best fighters he fought in the division but because he just vacated his belt for a bigger fight and not fought a ******ly dangerous and low reward fighter he's now a ducker in his entire career.