DeGale-Jack: Preview of the super-middleweight unification clash
Sunday 15 January 2017 00:03, UK
Your one-stop preview of Sunday morning’s blockbuster super-middleweight unification showdown between James DeGale and Badou Jack – live on Sky Sports.
Live Fight Night International
Background
It is fair to say that both DeGale and Jack have had a far from comfortable route to this defining point in their careers as they battle to become the No 1 super-middleweight in the world.
For DeGale, a 2008 Olympic gold medallist, it all seemed so promising, until a contentious defeat to George Groves and persistent injury problems severely hampered his career.
‘Chunky’ never gave up and slowly worked his way back into contention, before in 2015, he went on the road to beat Andre Dirrell in Boston to finally realise his dream - winning the IBF title.
Only a month before DeGale’s success, Jack had upset the odds to beat Andre’s brother Anthony to claim the WBC strap.
Jack had just as arduous a journey to the top and the Floyd Mayweather promoted star would suffer a first-round knockout defeat to Derek Edwards in 2014, which derailed his world title pursuit, and cast serious doubts over his future.
Likewise, he would come back stronger and now, he and DeGale will put their titles on the line as they attempt to prove themselves as the top fighter in the 168lb division.
What the fighters say
What the trainers say
What the promoters say
What the pundits say
It’s a tough fight, but I fancy DeGale to win on points. It will be competitive, he won’t have everything his own way. Jack is a good all-rounder, who isn’t spectacular. He’s solid in every department.
The last third of the fight is going to be crucial. James has got to use his skills, use his boxing ability. It will be a hard fight for both of them, but it’s a fight that I believe DeGale can win.
The kind of fighter that beats Badou Jack is a guy who has the style of James DeGale, an unorthodox style, because Badou Jack is very orthodox in comparison to James DeGale, so it won’t be an easy night.
What other fighters say
Badou Jack's skills have just gone from level one to level 10 overnight, so I am super impressed. But DeGale is a phenomenal fighter. This could be fight of the year. This really could be a draw.
I don't think DeGale gets enough credit, because his last few fights have seen him put some big names on his record and he has done it on the road. I think he will add another world title to his name.
He does seem to switch off sometimes, but when he's on form DeGale's hard to beat. You're talking about a skilful, unorthodox southpaw and I expect him to show that against Jack.
The weigh-in
The time draws near...
Watch James DeGale v Badou Jack in a unification fight from the Barclays Center, New York, live on Sky Sports 1, 2am, Sunday, January 15.
