posted Oct 6, 2008

He should go pro for sure. Look at Steve Redgrave, he is Britain's all-time greatest olympian, but wouldn't be able to afford to live in Wayne Rooney's garage! Money is the main factor in boxing and in such a short career you've got to take it when it arises.
http://www.competitiveurge.com/the_great_boxing_debate___who_is_the_greatest_of_all_time

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posted Oct 6, 2008

take the money he should, he's got a gold whats the point of another. With the amateur scoring system what it is is he likely to win a gold next time. He should go pro no doubt he is still young and as time to learn without being rushed. Four years down the line four years older still an amateur whats the point in that! We all love boxing but we also have mouths to feed and a future to think of. Basically he would be stupid to do anything else but go pro!

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posted Oct 6, 2008

with the right attitude and the right trainers, and also the right opponents (khan what were you thinking?!) he could go a long way

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posted Oct 7, 2008

Someone once told Billy Conn "if you're going to get punched in the mouth, you might aswell get a few bucks out of it".

He was right. De Gale has won gold at the olympics, he's taken the amateurs to the very limit, the highest possible accolade, why hang around?

The lure of fighting in front of the home crowd for the next olympics must be a big one, but if he turns pro he can spend four years earning cash and STILL fight in front of a huge homecrowd - maybe for a European or even World belt.

My advice to a young boxer, however, would be to get straight to America. Train somewhere where you're schooled in proper defence, we don't get that over here.

Fight a few South American nobodies, lose a few, learn the trade properly, then come back and start afresh with a sound, convincing background, instead of an untested chin and unrealistic prospects.

The British public might have something to believe in then.

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posted Oct 7, 2008

He's 22, got an Olympic Gold, he should turn pro and make some money while he can. I'm unconvinced his 'gritty style' is going to be ideally suited to the pro game. From what I have seen of him as an amateur, which is limited - granted, I think the lack of a big punch may be an issue.

But so what. If he waits four years and then turns pro, he would have to win the Gold medal again to get the same buzz and interest. (Actually it would be a greater buzz, but, again, so what?)

Better to have £2 million now than whatever in the future.

He also needs to be properly managed. The last two Olympic stars have been transformed into ludicrous pros. Fraudley by his own bombastic promotion and timid style; Khan by over-hyping and selected opponents that now look like a con. (The writing was on the wall when the dour but light hitting Willy Limond had him down.)

Good luck to DeGale. See you on Sky Sports soon

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posted Oct 10, 2008

Wow, some mighty arrogant remarks from young James, listen to him talking about how he's already worth £2M and that he's bound to become world champion. But what's this? No scolding from the BBC 'fight fans' yet? Hmm, I wonder if this was Amir Khan talking like this, what would the reaction be? I can only guess but I'm sure it would involve accusations of him being overrated, arrogant, deluded etc.
One rule for some boxers, another for Khan when it comes to some people here it seems...
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Not really when Khan first turned pro and was talking about becoming a world champ people said vey little, giving him an opportunity to prove himself. When he then showed that he has the punch resistence of a 10 year old girl then people started to call him overrated and arrogant.
So far De Gale has a gold medal and hasnt turned pro so until he does he can say what he likes. If he puts in a few poor performances then obviously people will have a go at him.

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posted Oct 16, 2008

from the way he was talkin about qualifying i can guarantee hes gona turn pro. he was basically saying whats the point risking it all when i could slip up and fail to qualify which would then make me damaged goods. anyway what has the guy got to prove at the next olympics? to try and win gold again? no easy task by any means. good luck to him in his pro career, but as many other have said i cant see him being all that successful, watch this space.....

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posted Oct 16, 2008

If he doesn't turn pro. he's mad. He has the potential to earn millions right now. If he hangs about another 4 years, there's a good chance some new kid will emerge and knock him out in the Olympic qualifiers.

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posted Oct 16, 2008

if he doesn't turn pro i'll show my backside in the Vatican. One thing to note though, is DeGale won the poorest Olympic middleweight division i can remember - he will not do anything special in the professional ranks i am sure.

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posted Oct 16, 2008

It is a huge dilema for degale because he really should be turning pro, but when the next olympics is in london and how often will a chance come round like that for any athlete so on that basis you would say he should remain an amateur. However that is 4 years away and what would happen if he didnt win in london, or get a medal or perhaps not even qualify. I can tell u he wouldnt have as good a repuationor be as profitable. It depends if his familys financial security is more important than winning a gold medal in front of his home crowd

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