The DeGale-Jack war could be just the start of a great 2017

01/15/2017 James Slater

The terrific battle super super-middleweights James DeGale and Badou Jack put on last night in New York may have exceeded expectations. Fans expected a good fight, but they arguably got a great one. The drawn verdict aside – a draw rarely pleases in boxing – we want to see more of what we were privileged to have seen last night.

And the way 2017 is shaping up, with a number of potentially great match-ups already confirmed and others likely to be announced over the coming months, fight fans might just get one of the best years in a long time.

Chris Eubank Jr says he wants James DeGale next – says he is “coming for the rest of those teeth!”

01/15/2017 James Slater

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.

Floyd Mayweather angry over Jack-DeGale draw: “This is bad for boxing”

01/15/2017 James Slater

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

01/15/201701/15/2017 Showtime Boxing

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

01/15/201701/15/2017 Jeff Sorby

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

01/15/201701/14/2017 Chris Carlson

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

01/13/2017 James Slater

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

01/15/201701/12/2017 Showtime Boxing

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

01/13/201701/10/2017 Showtime Boxing

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

01/13/201701/09/2017 Showtime Boxing

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.