DeGale torn over future direction - FightGame Boxing & MMA Forums News & Discussion

**the_godslayer** · 08-26-2008, 05:21 AM

Britain's Olympic middleweight champion James DeGale admits he faces a dilemma over his future after winning gold.
The 22-year-old has reportedly been offered £1m to turn professional, but he would also love to defend his Olympic title on home soil in 2012.
"It will be hard to say no to £1m but it's not just about money - it's a feeling too. It's going to be a difficult decision," he said.
"To win another gold medal in my home city in 2012 would be fantastic."
The Hammersmith-born boxer said he would also seek the opinion of Great Britain boxing coach Terry Edwards before taking any action.
"Representing your country and standing on a podium with a medal is an unbelievable feeling," he said.
"There are a lot of rewards out there for professionals - I could become middleweight champion of the world, but I'm going to see what Terry says.

"I'm going to go home and spend some time with my family. I'll sit down with them and talk about it."
DeGale's gold was the pick of the three medals won by British boxers in Beijing, and the timing of the success could have further benefits for the sport.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown recently stated he wanted boxing to take a more prominent role in schools, and DeGale praised the sport's potential to keep youngsters out of trouble. "I say get in the gym. Get in the gym because it gives you lots of discipline. Boxing has made me a better person," he said. "All those little kids, all the little teenagers that want to be naughty - get in the gym."

source - - - BBC SPORT | Olympics | Boxing | DeGale torn over future direction

T-97 · 08-26-2008, 09:17 AM

I think he should go pro, Rather than waste his best days on the amateurs. He is already an Olympic Champ, so I think he should try to become a World Champion as well

**NFFC** · 08-26-2008, 09:23 AM

Yep.....he should turn pro now. A lot can happen in 4 years in the amateurs. In the pros he could even be a world champ by 2012. He needs to show some ambition and go for it.

**the_godslayer** · 08-26-2008, 09:59 AM

my opinion is that he will go pro and could be half decent too.

WelshDevilRob · 08-26-2008, 06:14 PM

He should take the money and go Pro - you never know whats round the corner and that sort of money will help your family.

He's young so has alot of time to develop physically and skillwise.

**NFFC** · 08-26-2008, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WelshDevilRob

He should take the money and go Pro - you never know whats round the corner and that sort of money will help your family.

He's young so has alot of time to develop physically and skillwise.

It ain't just the money - there is so much reward when you are pro. I hope he doesn't wait - he may end up regretting it.

**the_godslayer** · 09-02-2008, 04:21 PM

The only thing that may stop him is the fact that the next Olympics is in his home town ... he could easily bring enough fans to fill the O2 arena and watch him defend his title.

**TommyGunn** · 09-03-2008, 08:53 AM

I want him to turn pro but have a sneaky feeling he'll hang off untill 2012. According to Terry Edwards money wont be an issue for him because he'll make an absolute fortune off the back of winning that gold.

08-26-2008, 05:21 AM	#1 (permalink)
the_godslayer Moderator Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 982	DeGale torn over future direction Britain's Olympic middleweight champion James DeGale admits he faces a dilemma over his future after winning gold. The 22-year-old has reportedly been offered £1m to turn professional, but he would also love to defend his Olympic title on home soil in 2012. "It will be hard to say no to £1m but it's not just about money - it's a feeling too. It's going to be a difficult decision," he said. "To win another gold medal in my home city in 2012 would be fantastic." The Hammersmith-born boxer said he would also seek the opinion of Great Britain boxing coach Terry Edwards before taking any action. "Representing your country and standing on a podium with a medal is an unbelievable feeling," he said. "There are a lot of rewards out there for professionals - I could become middleweight champion of the world, but I'm going to see what Terry says. "I'm going to go home and spend some time with my family. I'll sit down with them and talk about it." DeGale's gold was the pick of the three medals won by British boxers in Beijing, and the timing of the success could have further benefits for the sport. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown recently stated he wanted boxing to take a more prominent role in schools, and DeGale praised the sport's potential to keep youngsters out of trouble. "I say get in the gym. Get in the gym because it gives you lots of discipline. Boxing has made me a better person," he said. "All those little kids, all the little teenagers that want to be naughty - get in the gym." source - - - BBC SPORT \| Olympics \| Boxing \| DeGale torn over future direction __________________ Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone

08-26-2008, 09:23 AM	#3 (permalink)
NFFC Super Moderator Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Nottingham, England Posts: 2,228	Re: DeGale torn over future direction Yep.....he should turn pro now. A lot can happen in 4 years in the amateurs. In the pros he could even be a world champ by 2012. He needs to show some ambition and go for it. __________________ Oscar De la Hoya: Legend ..

08-26-2008, 09:59 AM	#4 (permalink)
the_godslayer Moderator Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 982	Re: DeGale torn over future direction my opinion is that he will go pro and could be half decent too. __________________ Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone

08-26-2008, 06:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
WelshDevilRob Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wales Posts: 71	Re: DeGale torn over future direction He should take the money and go Pro - you never know whats round the corner and that sort of money will help your family. He's young so has alot of time to develop physically and skillwise. __________________

09-02-2008, 04:21 PM	#7 (permalink)
the_godslayer Moderator Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 982	Re: DeGale torn over future direction The only thing that may stop him is the fact that the next Olympics is in his home town ... he could easily bring enough fans to fill the O2 arena and watch him defend his title. __________________ Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone

09-03-2008, 08:53 AM	#8 (permalink)
TommyGunn Administrator Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 2,325	Re: DeGale torn over future direction I want him to turn pro but have a sneaky feeling he'll hang off untill 2012. According to Terry Edwards money wont be an issue for him because he'll make an absolute fortune off the back of winning that gold. __________________

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