James DeGale: ‘I was too disrespectful harsh and raw’

17th June 2011

Former Olympic Gold medalist and British super middleweight champion James DeGale, narrowly lost his Lonsdale belt to domestic rival George Groves in May on points, after a build-up that at times got out of hand and some could say didn’t do Mr DeGale any public relation favors.

But the London boxer who is coached by former boxer Jim McDonnell, is back in the gym to get ready for his ring return in September and is ready to stay with McDonnell, after questions were being asked about their future together and calls for him to drop the trainer and head over to America or get someone else on board.

But DeGale who admits to maybe being too disrespectful and raw towards his rival Groves in the fight build-up, told SkySports that he is still on a mission to realise his potential, evaluate his attitude and future conduct and insist he is still going all the way in boxing and will stick with McDonnell.

DeGale training kids at a London gym this week

“I read a lot of things on the Internet, in the papers, saying Ive got to move to America, Ive got to change my trainer.” said DeGale.

“After the fight everything’s still a bit sore and you think about all different kinds of things, but when you sit down and talk to your family your promoter and I don’t need to fix it. Jim’s a great coach, we’ve got a great friendship, so why change?

“Ive got myself to blame, maybe I was too disrespectful, maybe a bit too harsh, maybe a bit too raw.

“Everyone knows how talented I am, I think people in boxing and people who watch me know I’m going all the way.

“Maybe my attitude and the way I came across was a bit too raw sometimes but that’s me, everyone who knows me, knows I’m a kind loving humble boy.”

“I’m still on a mission, this was a slight hiccup on my journey, but the James DeGale story it ain’t ended, its just got interesting.” he added.

The spotlight has since fallen on trainer McDonnell and George Groves amongst many others called for him to make a switch, but DeGale has opted to keep faith with his trainer, showing his loyalty to ‘Jimmy Mac’ by announcing he will stay with the former two time world title challenger, who has got him this far.

“I’m not going to lie, a lot of people have said I should change trainer,” said DeGale. “I keep on reading ‘change your trainer’. Why, though? He’s technically very, very good and I’m super fit.

“I know that in this business loyalty doesn’t come into it, it’s my career.

“But I’m not going to change because he’s brought me on this far and, if it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be in this position.”

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