THE betting on Betfair suggests that James ‘Chunky’ DeGale will avenge his 2006 amateurs defeat to George Groves when the pair come to blows at the O2 Arena on Saturday. Olympic gold medallist DeGale is the 1-3 favourite to come out on top in this ill-tempered ‘Battle of Britain’.
Groves, who has been somewhat overshadowed by DeGale’s British title success, is largely unfancied to beat his arch rival. The 23-year-old is out at 100-30 to inflict a first professional defeat on his cocky opponent.
Chunky has KO’d eight of his last 10 opponents and is available at 8-11 to do so on Saturday night. The 25-year-old is a 4-1 chance for victory by way of judges’ decision. Groves boasts an equally impressive KO record but is currently 13-2 to win by knockout. He is an 11-1 shot to triumph by judges’ decision.
Betfair’s Alex Bake: “The bad blood between these two stems back years, so we should be in for a belter. On paper it looks like a 50-50 match-up, but the punters are getting behind DeGale for this one.”
DeGale v Groves – Betfair bet: 1-3 DeGale, 100-30 Groves, 49-1 the draw
Method of victory – Betfair bet: 8-11 DeGale KO, 4-1 DeGale decision, 13-2 Groves KO, 11-1 Groves decision
Russell Turning Negatives to Positive Against Fonfara
Canadian light heavyweight Anthony “The Rowdy One” Russell (16-2-1, 5 KOs) isn’t expecting a warm welcome when he steps into the ring this Friday at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago to face Poland’s Andrzej Fonfara for the NABO title.
Polish fighters in Chicago are like rock stars.
While some might feel intimidated, Russell has an interesting way of looking at the situation. “How’s it going to affect me? The question is how is that going to affect him? That’s pressure is on him. I hope he fights the fan’s fight, because if he does, he’ll make more mistakes. Once that bell rings, there are two guys fighting. I just hope the referee isn’t his uncle.”
Russell, originally from Kitchener, Ontario, but now residing in Brockton, Massachusetts, had 131 amateur fights and was the National Canadian Light-Heavyweight Champion in 2002. He won the Ontario Provincial Championship five times.
“I studied film on him like I was taking a test,” admits Russell. “I got an A+ on everything I studied. He’s pretty one dimensional. He’s thinking he is going to come out and fight like a puncher and come at me. I’m going to take him apart. I’m just as strong and I’m much faster.”
Russell turned pro in 2002 and even fought former world cruiserweight champion Ola Afolabi to a draw early in his career. However, the 26 year old has only had one fight since 2007.
Does he think the inactivity will affect him? “Actually in a very positive way. I’ve been in the gym for six months and took a tune-up fight and did great. Look, the greats like Floyd Mayweather fight once every year. In fact, Floyd has fought only twice in 18 months and still doesn’t have anything scheduled, but when he gets in the ring he looks great. You learn your craft sparring and working out. Either you can fight or you can’t! I’ve sparred hundreds of rounds, plus I can fight. So I got some good-needed rest. I’m in my mid 20’s and feel great. I’m going to win this NABO title in Andrzej Fonfara’s backyard. I know it!”
Team Puerto Rico: Strength in Numbers
SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO – Welterweight super prospect, Thomas Dulorme (11-0, 10 KO’s), and hard-hitting 140-pound knockout artist Kenny “Battlestar” Galarza (14-1, 14 KO’s) are sparring and training together in preparation for their respective ESPN-televised Boricua Invasion I fights at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City on Friday, June 10.
Dulorme, Galarza and several other members of Team Puerto Rico will be appearing in blockbuster back-to-back boxing events at the Roseland on June 10 and 11, entitled Boricua Invasion I & II.
Galarza, of Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico, will face compatriot, Irving Garcia (17-6-3, 8 KO’s) in the main event, while Dulorme will face former world champion DeMarcus Corley (37-17-1, 22 KOs) in one of the televised supporting bouts.
“Kenny is of great help to my training. He is a strong fighter who can fight left- and right-handed. I am grateful that he’s decided to help me train for my fight,” said Dulorme.
“There is strength in numbers. We are part of Team Puerto Rico and as part of this team, we should help each other achieve our goals. Dulorme is a strong fighter and very quick and he will help me a lot in my preparation for my fight with Garcia,” said Galarza.
Both fighters are represented by Universal Promotions, Gary Shaw Productions and DiBella Entertainment.
Saturday’s Boricua Invasion II will feature four more members of Team Puerto Rico: featherweight Luis “Orlandito” Del Valle (12-0, 10 KOs); junior middleweight Jonathan “Mantequilla Gonzalez (12-0, 12 KOs); light welterweight Hector “El Flaco” Sanchez (19-1, 9 KOs); and light welterweight Jorge “Machito” Maysonet Jr. (3-0, 2 KOs); plus a special off-TV appearance by Puerto Rico-born light welterweight Gabriel “Tito” Bracero (15-0, 1 KO) of Brooklyn. The main bouts of Boricua Invasion II will be broadcast live on Showtime: The New Generation.
Tickets for Boricua Invasion I on Friday, June 10 are priced at $175, $125, $75, $45 and are available through Ticketmaster.com, charge-by-phone, or at any Ticketmaster outlet. On Friday, doors will open at 6:00 pm and the action starts at 6:30.
Tickets for Boricua Invasion II on Saturday, June 11 are priced at $200, $150, $85, and $55 and are available through Ticketmaster.com, charge-by-phone, or at any Ticketmaster outlet. On Saturday, doors will open at 7:00 pm and the action starts at 7:30.
For VIP Package tickets to both nights, please call DiBella Entertainment at 212-947-2577.
The Roseland Ballroom is located at 239 West 52nd Street in New York City.
All bouts are subject to change.