James DeGale admits he is ‘scared’ ahead of Badou Jack showdown… and says he could retire in three fights if his family do not have to work again
Londoner admits he has been 'lazy' in his last two fights... but this time nerves could inspire him to become Britain’s top fighter
JAMES DEGALE admits he is “scared” ahead of the biggest fight of his career against Badou Jack – but believes his nerves could inspire him to become Britain’s top fighter.
While the enormity of the bout against Jack in the super-middleweight unification fight in New York next week has weighed on his mind, it is sure to bring out the best in the Brit fighter.
In a full and frank interview, the 30-year-old - who weighed in at 166 lbs while Jack weighed in at 167 ins and a quarter - and a half reveals what he must do to beat the Floyd Mayweather-backed Swede, as well as his future plans should the confident Londoner fight nemesis George Groves and Gennady Golovkin before retiring.
Having not fought since last April’s successful defence of his IBF title against Rogelio Medina, DeGale is guarding against complacency as he bids to become the first Englishman to go abroad and unify a world title.
Speaking to talkSPORT Extra Time presenter Tom Latchem, he said: “I can’t have any rounds off and in the past couple of fights I have been a bit lazy - and I can’t do that against Badou Jack otherwise he will beat me.
“I’m very confident that I will go and win it, but if I’m brutally honest, the last couple of fights I have gone in with no fear, I wasn’t scared at all.
“But with this fight, because there’s so much on the line and he’s such a good fighter, I am a bit nervous and a bit scared – but that is when you will see the very, very best of me.
“When I won the world title against Andre Dirrell, I was edgy and a bit scared that I didn’t want to lose, but you saw I was on my game.
“But the fights after that I knew I would win and you didn’t see the best of me because I wasn’t really nervous. But now I’m getting the same feelings as the Dirrell fight, which is positive.”
It is DeGale’s first unification bout and one which, if he beats a fighter he calls “basic but one who knows what he’s doing”, he believes he will be truly up there with the giants of British boxing such as Anthony Joshua and Carl Frampton.
He added: “I would say I’m in the top three British boxers at the minute. You’ve got Carl Frampton, Anthony Joshua but I’m there in the top three.
“We’ve got some big stars in British boxing, such as golden boy Joshua - but I think I am still up there but I need that one big fight and I think this unification fight is the one.
“But taking in winning Olympic gold in Beijing, being British, European and World Champion and now fighting unification in America, it’s pretty good.
“If I beat Badou, I reckon I could be the top one, but I like to let the people judge and they can make their mind up.”
It is the first time he will have fought in New York, something he calls “living the dream” – and will be backed by hundreds of boisterous Brits abroad at the Barclay Centre.
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But DeGale’s real dream is to go back the UK for a homecoming showdown, having fought his last four bouts in the US as part of his deal with American promoter Al Haymon.
He sees a path which includes the mandatory challenger to the winner of the Badou Jack fight, rising star Callum Smith.
And after that, the person on his radar is George Groves, the only man to defeat him professionally, and with whom he has a very public, and real rivalry.
He said: “I don’t really like George to be honest, and he doesn’t like me. There’s made up rivalries, but this is serious.
“We went to the same amateur club, I went to the Olympic Games and he thought he should have been picked. I want revenge.
“But to be honest, he is choking on my dust, I left him way back ages ago, our careers have gone in different ways. The cream always rises and that is what has happened, the quality has come through.”
Indeed, DeGale has a clear path mapped out for the rest of his career – four fights from now, which if all goes to plan, could see him retire at the top of his sport – but mostly, to be in a position to help his close-knit family.
He said: “When I’ve made enough money so that my family never have to work again, I will retire. Boxing is a hard sport, I’ve been doing it for a long time since the age of 10.
“Family is paramount, I am the baby of the family, I get looked after, everyone spoils me and I couldn’t live without them.
“They are my life, and they keep me grounded. If I get out of line, my mum will tell me off.
“I’ve never had a job, I’ve dedicated my life to boxing. Plus, I’ve achieved a lot in my career, from Olympics to world titles, and now I am about to unify a division.
“I’m not blowing my own trumpet but I’m happy so far, and hopefully it continues. It could be a year, it could be three or five. But if I have a good year this year, it could be then.
“If I can win this one, then I box Callum Smith in the big homecoming, and then box Groves and finally Gennady Golovkin, then I won’t need to box anymore. Four fights from now, maybe. But of course I’m dreaming.”
But for now, all thoughts turn to January 14 when the IBF super middleweight champion puts his title on the line as he tries to wrestle Jack’s WBC crown.
With the hard work in the gym now all done, he will take a more relaxed approach to making the weight – so it is fighting the battle of emotions in his head.
He said: “A little bit of nerves are always good and I am a bit anxious -but I’m so excited. I’ve dreamt about being a unified world champion and it’s close now, just another week and then I can prove to everyone.
“I just need to be the unified world champion. I haven’t had a knockout for three fights now, and I would love to do it in style – but all I’m thinking about is the win.”
