It seems Chris Eubank Junior has moved on from calling out middleweight king Gennady Golovkin, to shouting and screaming about what he will do to reigning IBF super-middleweight boss James DeGale. Recently, just before DeGale went to war in last night’s excellent fight with Badou Jack – a performance which Eubank Jnr has yet to match at any time in his career – the two went back and forth on Twitter.
Badou Jack
Floyd Mayweather angry over Jack-DeGale draw: “This is bad for boxing”
While it seems the majority of people agree with the majority draw the three judges collectively handed in after super-middleweights James DeGale and Badou Jack went to war in a great fight, some, including Floyd Mayweather, are extremely unhappy with last night’s decision.
James DeGale and Badou Jack fight to draw
The No. 1 and No. 2-ranked super middleweights in the world met in a unification to determine the world’s best 168-pound fighter Saturday on SHOWTIME. After two knockdowns and 12 intense, back-and-forth rounds, the distinction as the world’s best super middleweight is still up for grabs.
WBC champion Badou Jack (20-1-3, 12 KOs) and IBF titlist James DeGale (23-1-1, 14 KOs) fought to a 12-round majority draw in the main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING in front of 10,128 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The bout was scored 114-112 (DeGale) and 113-113 twice, and the only clear winner was the sport of boxing and its fans.
Results: DeGale-Jack fight to draw
James DeGale and Badou Jack fought their hearts out tonight in a unification fight at 168, but the two of them had to leave the ring after fighting to a 12 round draw at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Both guys hit the canvas in the round. WBC super middleweight champion Jack was down in the 1st round from a left to the head.
IBF champion DeGale was blasted to the canvas in the 12th round by a right uppercut from Jack. DeGale (23-1-1, 14 KOs) got away with spitting his mouthpiece out 4 times in the fight during crucial periods where he was hurt or getting pounded by Badou (20-1-3, 12 KOs).
Degale vs. Jack: Best Fight the Best in Brooklyn
James Degale and Badou Jack meet in Brooklyn to find out who is the best fighter in the super middleweight division. On paper, Degale is the more skilled pugilist of the two while Jack is more consistent overall. The co-feature matches junior lightweight champion Jose Pedraza with a prospect beaming with potential in Gervonta Davis. This card is perfect way for the 2017 year in boxing to kickoff on Showtime for the fans and media alike.
In the past two years both main event fighters forged a turnaround in their careers after facing sizable adversity. James Degale lost a close point’s decision to George Groves in a fight that probably happened too early at that stage. Badou Jack suffered a loss much more damaging via early knockout from a right hand by journeymen Derrick Edwards.
Floyd Mayweather: James DeGale is the best fighter in the UK right now
Although he has been “retired” for well over a year now (the speech marks are there simply because many people, Freddie Roach among them, seem to be convinced Floyd will fight again) Floyd Mayweather is almost constantly in the news.
Just this week the 39-year-old stated on ESPN’s “First Take” how he wants the fight between he and Conor McGregor to happen, and yesterday “Money” confirmed how he will be a guest during President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration next week. When Floyd talks, people listen.
Badou Jack 167.2 lbs – James Degale 166.5 lbs
129 lbs – Gervonta Davis
129.5 lbs – José Pedraza
144.5 lbs – Brian Jones
145.7 lbs – Thomas Dulorme
158.5 lbs – Immanuwel Aleem
159.5 lbs – Ievgen Khytrov
121.5 lbs – Yazmin Rivas
120.7 lbs – Amanda Serrano
DeGale vs. Jack quotes for this Saturday
Fight week activities officially began today with media workouts at the brand new Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn before the super middleweight title unification showdown between Badou Jack and James DeGale that headlines action this Saturday, January 14 from Barclays Center in Brooklyn and live on SHOWTIME.
Also in attendance and opening the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast at 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT are junior lightweight world champion Jose Pedraza and unbeaten contender Gervonta Davis.
Badou Jack vs. James DeGale – Video – DeGale: My Journey
Ahead of his world title fight in New York this Saturday, IBF World super middleweight champion James DeGale has been reflecting on his journey to this unification showdown with Badou Jack.
Speaking in a video for wearable training gear SIXPAD, the 30-year-old native Londoner describes his introduction to boxing.
DeGale vs Jack Interview Transcript
Leonard Ellerbe
Hello everyone, welcome to today’s Badou Jack versus James DeGale media conference call. Today we are going to hear from the main event participants who will be headlining next week’s main event at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Our event will be live on SHOWTIME and our event is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and DiBella Entertainment. Badou Jack, WBC Super middleweight champion, he’ll be taking on the IBF super middleweight champion – James DeGale and are meeting in a world title unification that fits the best versus the best. We’re very excited about our great event. These two fighters have been on the collision course ever since they won their world titles. They both made successful world titles defenses on last April and with the intention of this big, big moment, next Saturday, January 14th.