James DeGale’s trainer accuses Floyd Mayweather of ‘illegal’ tricks during Badou Jack fight
Jim McDonnell claims he saw Money checking the scorecards between rounds as bout ended in a draw
JAMES DeGALE'S trainer is adamant his fighter won his bout with Badou Jack and has accused Floyd Mayweather of "illegal" tricks.
The Brit was awarded a 114-112 victory by one judge with the other two scoring the bout 113-113 for a majority draw.
But Jim McDonnell was angered with the result and alleges Jack's promoter Mayweather tried to influence officials.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest boxing news, gossip and rumours
He told : “I had the gumshield issue, I was told when we got in the ring by one of Mayweather’s team that only the chief second could get in the ring, they tried to ban the corner.
"I had a head count when I looked across the ring and there was Mayweather and four or five other dudes all in his corner.
"The referee said to me, ‘Everyone else out apart from you.’ I told the ref that wasn’t going to happen. How does that work?
Related Stories
“Then James starting interacting with the referee and I didn’t want that as he had to concentrate on what was about to happen in the first round. It’s all mind games and tricks.
“One of the things that I need to double check is that I was told that Mayweather was checking the scorecards off the judges in between rounds, to me that’s illegal.
"But he was trying to say to Badou Jack after one of the rounds, ‘Man, you’re one down, you gotta’ win the next round.’
“So, I’m thinking, you’re on a Mayweather bill in America, against an American-based fighter with three American judges. James DeGale showed great mental strength and he won that fight for me.”
DeGale had Jack down early but hit the canvas himself in the final round to cost himself on the scorecards - with the Brit demanding a rematch on home soil.
But despite admitting his man made mistakes, McDonnell insists the Brit should have added Jack's WBC title to his IBF super-middleweight belt in the unification bout.
He added: “I had James winning the fight by three rounds, and I’ve watched the fight back a few times.
“I said to James before the fight that any close round they would give to Badou Jack to keep the fight close.
"James did things that we didn’t want him to do, getting involved with the referee at the start of the fight.
"Also, he didn’t use his jab enough for me which in sparring he did and was brilliant.
“James dropped Jack at exactly the same time he dropped Dirrell. I thought if he gets him in trouble he could stop him.
"But I looked at my watch and thought shit, there’s not enough time. Jack was badly dazed and he could have got the job done in the first round.
"He showed a lot of maturity, experience and done the rounds well. But he moved into the right hand too often and he agreed with me that he didn’t use his jab enough.
"Overall, he deserved to come back with his belt.”