Boxing Thread

[CiKe]

Mike Perez knocked out inside of 2 minutes by Povetkin.

[gallsman]

Mike Perez knocked out inside of 2 minutes by Povetkin.

Perez's conditioning was appalling, as it has been in general for most of his career. The guy's heart just isn't in it.

[BennyHarp]

What's the thoughts on Degale v Dirrell tonight? I like Degale, well he's grown on me, and he has improved immensely since the loss to Groves. Don't know a huge pile about Dirrell other than his fight with Froch a few years ago when I was quite impressed. A few experts like Malinaggi seem to question his heart for the battle, so hopefully Degale can take him into a war. Plenty of decent fights these past few weeks.

[gallsman]

What's the thoughts on Degale v Dirrell tonight? I like Degale, well he's grown on me, and he has improved immensely since the loss to Groves. Don't know a huge pile about Dirrell other than his fight with Froch a few years ago when I was quite impressed. A few experts like Malinaggi seem to question his heart for the battle, so hopefully Degale can take him into a war. Plenty of decent fights these past few weeks.

Will be close I think. Dirrell a cut above anything DeGale has faced yet and DeGale a cut above anything Dirrell has faced in years. Dirrell looked in great shape at the weigh and think DeGale will have to put on an absolute clinic if he's to win without a KO.

He's grown on me the last could of years too. Doesn't seem as smug or something.

[bridgegael]

degale looks in great shape too, he didnt get his nickname for nothing.  like a couple on here, never really had much time for him but think he has matured a lot, he definately has the skilll to beat dirrel and i hope he does. should be a good fight.

[STREET FIGHTER]

Have changed my mind on DeGale as well.

Was very unlikeable....

Not sure how he's won most round...

Hope he can win tonight....makes a nice change to see it at a decent time.....

[JimStynes]

Good scrap here!

[beer baron]

De Gale should have this put to bed long ago. He'd wanna watch himself he's leaving himself very open everytime he goes in,not sure Dirrell's much left to land a big one on him though.

[BennyHarp]

De Gale should have this put to bed long ago. He'd wanna watch himself he's leaving himself very open everytime he goes in,not sure Dirrell's much left to land a big one on him though.

Was thinking the same myself! I hope Degale doesn't regret not putting this guy away earlier!

[JimStynes]

Throwing it away here ffs

[bridgegael]

two big last rounds for degale there. well done fella. one judge had 8rounds in it!!!!

[beer baron]

two big last rounds for degale there. well done fella. one judge had 8rounds in it!!!!

I was wondering did  i hear that right. 

[BennyHarp]

Have changed my mind on DeGale as well.

Was very unlikeable....

Not sure how he's won most round...

Hope he can win tonight....makes a nice change to see it at a decent time.....

I think this might have helped win a few Irish fans around....


EXCLUSIVE: James DeGale wants to win IBF title for old friend Darren Sutherland

JAMES DEGALE will become a history maker if he wins the IBF title against Andre Dirrell next week - but he also wants to win it for old friend Darren Sutherland.

PAYING RESPECT: DeGale wants to beat Dirrell for his friend Sutherland

The London super-middleweight takes on the American for the vacant strap in Boston on May 23 wearing shorts emblazoned with the initials 'DS'.

Victory would mean DeGale, 29, becomes the first British fighter to win Olympic gold and go on to become a bona fide professional world champion.

And it is the fighter he beat along the way to Olympic glory at Beijing 2008 that he will be thinking of should he create history.

The Londoner edged out Irishman Sutherland in a closely-fought semi-final in their sixth meeting as amateurs in China.

But just over a year later the Dubliner was found hanged in his Bromley flat in London by manager Frank, now Kellie, Maloney aged just 27.

Sutherland, who won bronze in Beijing, was tipped for professional glory like DeGale and had impressed in his first four outings in the paid ranks?

"It was so sad to hear about it. To put his initials on my shorts was just a bit of respect for him and his family who must have found it so hard"
James DeGale
DeGale was left distraught by the news and since that dark day in September 2009 he has worn the tribute to his former foe.

'Chunky' revealed: "It was so sad to hear about it. To put his initials on my shorts was just a bit of respect for him and his family who must have found it so hard.

"We were rivals as amateurs but we had a lot of respect for each other. When I'm going to be world champion, he is going to be world champion.

"We are going to lift this together. Maybe it is just his initials on my shorts but we will do it together."

It is a kind-hearted display from DeGale for Sutherland, who would no doubt have been on his own world title path if he was still with us.

The Dublin-born fighter was highly rated on both sides of the Irish Sea.

But living away from his family in London had a negative effect and he sank into depression amid fears over an eye injury which left him in doubt about his future.

A second inquest into Sutherland's death delivered an open verdict, despite confirming hanging was the cause.

The tragedy serves as a warning to DeGale and other fighters about how tough boxing can be when you leave the team-orientated amateur side of the sport.

He added: "I was so sad when I heard the news, I was absolutely gutted. It was horrible. He must have been in a sad, lonely place.

"That is what boxing is though, it is a lonely sport. You're in the ring on your own but you can be on your own outside the ring too.

"If you do not have the right team around you it is kind of thing can happen. It's horrible."

DeGale admits it is a "shame" they never got to meet again in the ring, but he will be hoping his old friend is in his corner in spirit next Saturday night.

[omaghjoe]

Well Khan by UD against Algieri. Anyone see it?

Reports said that it was close but judges scorecards don't seem to think so

It was on the Spike channel in the states defo a step in the wrong direction for Khan....

[Milltown Row2]

Eamon Magee??