11th October 2010
James DeGale is feeling refreshed and ready to silence his critics by winning the European Super-Middleweight belt this Saturday night at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, which he hopes will lead to a rematch with arch enemy George Groves.
The former British Champion takes on the tough champion from Poland Piotr Wilczewski – who has a record of 30 fights with just 1 loss and he is ranked number two by the WBO. This is DeGales first bout since that loss to Groves in May, the loss he feels was unjust and one he is determined to avenge!
DeGale is aware that he cannot under estimate his latest opponent and knows a fight with Groves would be out of the window should he monumentally slip up again this weekend. But DeGale claims to have done his homework on a man who although highly ranked by the WBO, is a bit of an unknown quantity.
The 25 year old Londoner put on a impressive training display for the waiting media at his Loughton gym this week with trainer Jim McDonnell and he looked sharp and ready to fulfil the potential that he swept into the pro game with, after his Olympic Gold Medal win.
“This has been about a 14-week camp. I’ve had some great sparring, and now it’s just about tapering down and doing the business.” said DeGale.
“I’ve done my research on him, he’s tough, he’s strong and when he wants to box he can box and he’s only lost the one.
“It’s going to be competitive but I’ve got all faith in myself that on October 15, I’m going to be European champion.
“I’ve had a good rest and returned back stronger than ever and I’m just looking forward to getting in the ring again.
“I’m still on track to fight for a world title next year which was always the plan when I turned professional after winning gold at the Beijing Olympics.
“Wilczewski is a good strong fighter and he’s ranked number two in the world, I’d be a stupid to just look past him so everything is about Saturday night and making sure I win
“It could be explosive and I’m sure the crowd and viewers on BoxNation are going to be in for special night with my fight plus a potential thriller between Cleverly and Bellew and I cant wait to win the European title and then get to ringside to watch that one.” added DeGale.
A potential quick rematch against Groves is a real possibility and with both boxers contracted to Frank Warren promotions and with new TV station BoxNation with the platform to showcase it, but all depends on how both come through their next tough assignments. Groves the British and Commonwealth champion will defend his titles against former Lonsdale belt holder Liverpool’s Paul Smith.
If DeGale can comeback in style to beat Wilczewski and claim his own belt then the fight will be a no brainer, although maybe it could be built up a little bit more? But DeGale doesn’t want to wait to get his nemesis inside the ring again, but believes that Groves is avoiding a return with him!
“After I won the British title after nine fights, maybe people were believing, ‘Yeah, he’s the man, he’s going to do big things.” said DeGale.
“After the Groves defeat, which I thought I won and a lot of people thought I won, but some have started to doubt me again.
“So maybe I’ve got come out and show everyone that I mean business.
“One loss isn’t going to break me, in fact, this is going to be the making of me and I’ll go on to bigger and better things.
“There’s a great world title fight next month between Mikkel Kessler and Robert Stieglitz and I’d fancy the winner of that.
“If I win this in style and if Groves beats Paul Smith – that’s a big if – the early part of next year I think we’ll definitely get it on. He can’t run for much longer.
“He’s a pussy man, he’s boxing someone that I stopped in nine rounds, I know styles make fights and that ain’t a forgone conclusion.
“He could have taken a harder fight against Kenny Anderson, but it looks like he’s running away from Kenny Anderson, he’s running away from me and he’s going to get found out very very soon.” added DeGale.
The fight features as chief support to the big showdown between WBO World Light-Heavyweight Champion Nathan Cleverly and Tony Bellew and will be screened LIVE on BoxNation.
On TV: James DeGale v Piotr Wilczewski for the European Super-Middleweight title and the WBO World Light-Heavyweight Championship between Nathan Cleverly and Tony Bellew on October 15th live from the Liverpool Echo Arena; then live from the Staples Centre in Los Angeles, the WBC World Light-Heavyweight title between the legendary Bernard Hopkins and Chad Dawson, live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky platform Channel 456).
Tickets for the Liverpool Echo Arena, priced at £50, £100, £150 and £250, are available from
Liverpool Echo Arena
Box Office: 0844 8000 400
www.echoarena.com
Box Office: 0844 8000 400
www.echoarena.com
Frank Warren Promotions
www.frankwarren.tv
www.frankwarren.tv
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