James DeGale has turned down a string of modeling contracts to focus on knocking out George Groves later this month.
The British super-middleweight champion has been approached by a number of high-profile companies since lifting the Lonsdale belt with a punch-perfect display against Paul Smith in December.
But he has knocked them back in order to prepare for his May 21 showdown with Groves at the O2 Arena, London.
And he says the fight will be so easy, that there’s no danger of his good looks getting damaged.
“There will be plenty of time to concentrate on modeling once my boxing career is over, because I don’t plan on taking much punishment,” said DeGale.
“It’s flattering to get all this attention, but all I want to do at the moment is giving everything to boxing.
“I keep reading that Groves thinks that I am some celebrity wannabe.
“He wouldn’t be saying that if he saw me at the gym day in day out.
“As for my fight at the O2, Ugly Kid Groves hasn’t got a chance.
“I feel sorry for him now, let alone what he is going to look like after I have destroyed him at the O2.
“He definitely won’t be following me down the catwalk!
“It’s lucky for him that all he has got to lose is his Commonwealth Strap because his good looks went by the wayside a long time ago.
“My mind is totally focused on beating George. It’s a grudge match and the fans are in for a real treat.
“At the moment it’s all about being a model – a model pro when I step between the ropes.”
Ticket for This Is It are priced at:
£500 – Ringside
£300 – Floor
£200 – Floor
£150 – Floor/Tier
£100 – Tier
£80 – Tier
£50 – Tier
To purchase tickets go to:
THE O2
+44 (0) 844 856 0202 or www.theO2.co.uk
Disabled booking line: +44 (0) 208 463 3359
SEE TICKETS
+44 (0) 871 620 7054 or www.seetickets.com
ADRIAN GRANADOS AND JAIME HERRERA AT CHICAGO’S CINCO DE MAYO PARADE
CHICAGO, IL (May 1, 2011) On Sunday afternoon, less than three weeks prior to their highly anticipated return to battle at WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 17, sensational young prospects Adrian “EL Tigre” Granados and Jaime “The Truth” Herrera took part in the massive Mexican celebration at Chicago’s Cinco De Mayo Parade.
Granados and Herrera were honored guests of the Cinco De Mayo Parade Committee and rode in a stylist black viper convertible along Cermak Ave. in front of tens of thousands who lined the streets of the parade route.
Both just 21 years old, Granados and Herrera have electrified the huge crowds at the UIC Pavilion in their past performances and tickets are moving rapidly for their return.
Presented by Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING, WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 17 is set for Friday, May 20th at Chicago’s UIC Pavilion.
Tickets for WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 17, priced at $100, $75, $50 and $30 are now on sale through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com, the UIC Pavilion Boxing Office (312-413-5740) and the 8 Count Productions’ Office (312-226-5800).
Doors on the evening of the event will open at 7pm with the first bell at 8pm. The UIC Pavilion is located at 525 S. Racine, just one block south of the Eisenhower Expressway. For further information, please visit their website at www.uicpavilion.com. The UIC Pavilion is now serving alcohol at all boxing events.
8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING, was started by Dominic Pesoli in 1998 and has consistently presented the highest quality professional boxing events in Chicagoland.
Fighters currently under the 8 Count Productions banner include; super middleweight contender Donovan George, light heavyweight Andrzej Fonfara, junior welterweight prospects Ivan Popoca, Adrian Granados and Ramiro Carrillo along with welterweights Achour Esho and Jaime Herrera.
For more information on 8 Count Productions please visit www.8countproductions.com
Hendrix and Davis Victorious in Atlanta!
Shea Bailey Promotions Inc. and Sports Fan Properties LLC were back and better than ever with their second installment of the Georgia Boxing Championship. The Capacity crowd was treated to an exciting night of action and entertainment from beginning to end. In the main event Antonio “T-Rex” Davis (27-6-0) fought in an epic candidate for Georgia fight of the year with John “The Real Digg” Trigg (18-34-5) for the Georgia Boxing Championship Lightweight Title.
The bout started off at a furious pace with Davis taking control with a slight hand speed advantage. The second round told a totally different tale that had Trigg scoring a knockdown when an off balance Davis’ glove touched the canvas. By the third round both fighters were bleeding heavily and the lively crowd at 200 Peachtree was on its feet. The fourth through the sixth round were all very brutal and closely contested leaving the judges to make a very difficult call. In the end it was Antonio Davis retaining his Georgia Boxing Championship by way of majority decision with scores of 56-56, 57-55, and 58-55.
In another impressive showing it took only two rounds for Tyrese Hendrix (20-2-1) to destroy a game but outgunned Jaime Del Cid 7-4-0. Del Cid came out in the first round looking to show Hendrix he was not intimidated. Within the first two minutes Del Cid was bleeding profusely from his nose and ended the round barely standing at the bell. The tough Mexican road warrior came back in the second looking to give it another shot when Hendrix unloaded a barrage of lightning fast punches that sent Del Cid reeling into the ropes. Hendrix then landed a devastating left dropping Del Cid to the canvas. He was able to beat the count but was no shape to continue causing the referee to wave it off 2:21 seconds into the second round.
Dino Dumonjic 4-1-0 won a unanimous decision over Rohan Wilson 4-4-1
Chris Jordan 5-4-0 won by 2nd round knockout over Essa Al-Sahalaman 0-1-0
John Mcdermott 4-0-0 won by 2nd round knockout over Djuan Hughley 1-2-0