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DeGale weighs up pro offer
Olympic champion tempted by £2m contract
By Rob Carragher Last updated: 7th October 2008
British Olympic gold medallist James DeGale has revealed that he is being offered almost £2million to turn professional, but is yet to make a final decision.
The Hammersmith-born boxer shot to fame during the summer as he claimed the Olympic middleweight title in Beijing.
And, after being tipped for the top by boxing stars such as Joe Calzaghe, the 22-year-old is now considering turning professional.
"I'm not going to let too much out but it (the contract offer) is way over a million - nearly two million over a couple of years," DeGale said.
"If I do or do not go over (to being professional) everyone will soon find out."
Concern
Indeed, DeGale expects to make an announcement before the end of October, but with widespread concern over the future of his coach Terry Edwards, DeGale is by no means certain to choose the professional path.
The highly-respected Edwards had been left out in the cold following UK Sport's recent revamp to the British funding system for boxing, and DeGale is adamant as to where his sympathies lie.
"He (Edwards) has proved himself," said DeGale. "He is like a second dad to us.
"When he has to be hard, he is hard. It is the whole vibe and communication with him that just works. It would be nice if he could stay."
Secure
Yet, whilst DeGale places great faith in the opinion of his coach, it is his mother Diane and father Leroy who may ultimately hold the key to his decision.
"I can go professional and secure the rest of my life. Mum and dad have a big say. They are a big part of my life," added DeGale.
"They just want the best for me but I do want to defend my crown in my own country - that is a big draw for me.
"Sixty per cent of me is thinking of staying amateur."
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Comments (15)
Mijchael Ahern says...
I see what your saying Aaron, but amir talk just gets on my nerves sometimes. and with respects to the De Gale he does need to be careful and heed the warning that the Khan knockout brings. He needs to be clever and keep his feet on the ground and not let the hype takeover his career.
Posted 13:58 13th October 2008
Aaron Cooper says...
Micheal, bit of a contridiction you said the article is about DeGale and not Khan and yet you spent all of your time talking about it. The reason these two are being compared all boils down to their olympic medals. And, in all honesty we have no idea how James will handle a pro fight. I just hope that the media dont hype him up as much as they did Khan because now he's arrogant and self obsessed for no reason. I think a sturdy lihtweight like Jon Thaxton will knock him out. Degale should take note a d learn from his mistakes
Posted 14:21 10th October 2008
Michael Ahern says...
Why are you commenting about Amir when this is a chat about DeGale, Yes amir is young but he is still a professional boxer with a glass jaw and no matter how much training he gets he is always going to have to fight a world class fighter one day that will expose that jaw again. You can not put muscle on jaw and the only titile amir will ever be worthy of winning is an alphabet belt or maybe the british title. He will never be worthy of the ring belt and anyone who is hanging on to the false believe that he is world class needs to wake up from there dream.
Posted 13:50 9th October 2008
Ozman Mirza says...
It is quite obvious that Amir Khan's chin was suspect and it was a matter of time before someone got him, but he is a kid, the media has to take some responsibility for elevating him to superstar status, when your a kid and everyone around you is saying you got the talent to be the next de la hoya, but i challenge most people of that age not to get carried away somewhat, it is just a shame how some of the comments I have read seem filled with venom for khan, why so much hate ?, he is young and still a kid and should be given the opportunity to rebuild himself and comeback, if constructive criticism wants to be dished out that his fine but some other people around khan and the media need to hold their hands up here like warren graciously did.
Posted 09:30 9th October 2008
Antonio Barerra says...
At least he won a gold medal and can be treated like an olympic champion, not someone who won a silver medal like amir khan & thinks he is the best in the world - NOT, and got nowt to show for it, even his re-match with olympic gold winner was a fix, see its the media who made chinny amir khan big headed & got what he deserved. But give DeGale a chance he won the gold medal & hopefully he can show us his true potential. DeGale just dont want to look good by doing a few moves to please the crowd, he will be out there taking on boxers who will fight back and progress his career in that way. He will not fight fighters who will make him look good, not like that amir khan & co. Their bubble has burst and they all got found out. Give our Gold Medal Stars Media Attention they Deserve.
Posted 07:46 9th October 2008
Aaron Cooper says...
Just replying to a comment made by Stuart really. I dont think im a know it all. We all saw Khan go down a couple of times before Prescott knocked him out. He's got no chin. And secondly degale got gold khan silver. The lightweight division is less competitive than the middleweight so its really a chance to prove his class
Posted 16:24 8th October 2008
Tom Mcqueen says...
i think its a joke saying 60% of me is thinking of staying amateur! loyalties are nice and fair enough but come on whats left for him to accomplish? too be a two time gold medalist? then turn pro in 4 years time when in four years time he could be a serious contender if not already a world champion in the pro ranks! degeale should turn pro now and become not only the heir apparent to the boxing legends of britain who are currently winding their careers down but become a global star and seize his oppurtunity!
Posted 22:15 7th October 2008
Rich Field says...
James. Turn pro. You might not win a second gold and at 26 your chances of winning a world title as a pro might already be over. And if you don't win another gold your stock will drop dramatically and you will not get offered 2 million again. Turn pro James and work harder than you ever thought you could. Completely and utterly devote yourself in every way to being a multi-world champion and you'll get there. Be a playboy boxer with an ego and a puppy to the press and TV and you will fail without a doubt. The reason why Calazaghe, Mayweather, and Jones have been the best of their generation is because they lived for boxing and nothing else: total 200% dedication to boxing all the time. Do the same as those great fighters and the world of boxing is yours for the taking James. The same applies to Frankie Gavin! Go Frankie. Take the pro boxing world by storm.
Posted 16:46 7th October 2008
Bob Sapp says...
He has to turn pro, lets say he stays amateur for 4 years and waits for London 2012, whats he going to do if he doesn't turn up and peform? He wont get an offer like what he is being offered now, he has waisted 4 years and will lose his title
Posted 15:54 7th October 2008
Michael Ahern says...
I think he is making the correct decision. What is left in the amatuer game for him?. For the money they are talking about he would be mad not to take it. James is a clever fighter and given the right guidance could be a top pro. My only concern is maybe he is being offered to much money and with so much on the table will he still have the same desire?
Posted 13:40 7th October 2008
Stuart Parry says...
I also think he should go pro. It crossed my mind before he won his final. He is the ideal age unlike Khan who I do rate, he just wanted it all too quickly. It does anger me the amount of "know it alls" who suddenly claim that they "never rated Khan anyway" as soon as he loses-where were these people when he was doing the business?
Posted 19:00 6th October 2008
Willie Casey says...
He is a good fighter but it is a hugh step up from winning a medal in the olympics and the pro game. The standard in the olympics is not what it used to be as any youing fighter that shows promise seems to go pro straight away and never gets to the oltmpics. Don't think this guys style is suited to the pro game so am a little surprised by the big offer.
Posted 17:28 6th October 2008
Wiremu Comp says...
Yes he should turn pro,as the amatuer game there is only so high you go and thats gold!Ask yaself the question,why most olympic sports can make earnings for a living yet the appeal in boxing as a amatuer is ya always will be one.Mr Cooper pointed out that ya got the game degale so be wise as a former rep myself you say to yaself wen ya a kid that "I want to be world champ when I grow up" U HAVE GROWN UP BRO!
Posted 16:30 6th October 2008
Scott Checkland says...
This Boy sure has skills, nearly 2 million big 1's of course he should go for it. I agree with Aaron 100% Amir wasnt ready, Get ready for some DeGale force Wind !
Posted 15:51 6th October 2008
Aaron Cooper says...
In all honesty i think he should go for it. Why not, in comparison to Amir Khan who i think turned too soon and lets be fair to him still isnt ready for a world title shot. This guy has alot of skill, power and courage. He's 22 so give it 3 years and he should be looking at the world scene. I've never rated Khan as highly as everyone else does. But DeGale seems to be a better all rounder and should be more equipped.
Posted 13:15 6th October 2008