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DeGale vacates IBF title to go after big fights before retirement


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Two-Time IBF World Super-Middleweight Champion James DeGale MBE has today relinquished his title as he closes in on securing big-fights in the final phase of his illustrious ring career.

 

DeGale, a former British and European Champion, has ruled the 168 pound division split over two reigns as World Champion totalling almost three years and has been involved in six IBF World Championship contests.

 

 

 

James DeGale vacates IBF title - - Boxing News - Ring News24

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Re: DeGale vacates IBF title to go after big fights before retirement

 

He didn't look good enough in his last two fights to be competitive against likes of Groves, Smith or Benavidez. If he's looking for a big paycheck the title should help him in doin' so. I don't get this decision.

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Re: DeGale vacates IBF title to go after big fights before retirement

 

- And Uzcategui has been named IBF champ, instead of them leaving it vacant, which is rather odd.

 

 

Anyway, I also cannot for the life of me figure why DeGale did this. f he wants a farewell payday fight, that belt would have assured him of getting one.

 

Who's gonna' fight him now? Even Truax will likely want the Super Series winner, or Benavidez, or for a fairly easy outing, Ramirez.

 

Maybe DeGale plans on moving up to 175, for his last few bouts? But that STILL doesn't get him a big money fight.

It just makes no sense at all.

Edited by Cableaddict
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Re: DeGale vacates IBF title to go after big fights before retirement

 

Of course it does - you are from a parallel reality similar but subtley different from ours. Interim champions are supposed to inherit the belt - it;s how Cleverly got his title - it's just occasionally the sanctioning body gets even greedier and fixes an eliminator or some nonsense. The interim championships in themselves are a farce of course, but that's boxing. As soon as Wilder, Joshua and Fury have run their course, I'm done, and I may not wait for Fury.

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Re: DeGale vacates IBF title to go after big fights before retirement

 

Of course it does - you are from a parallel reality similar but subtley different from ours. Interim champions are supposed to inherit the belt - it;s how Cleverly got his title .

 

 

Fine, I get it.

 

I still don't like it. Belts shouldn't be handed out. And the idea of an "interim" champ is silly.

 

 

So there.

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Re: DeGale vacates IBF title to go after big fights before retirement

 

The ABC bodies have played an absolute blinder to be fair!!! They've made dozens of belt a boxer could possibly wish / dream for, to the displeasure of fans who snuff and scorn at these daft prixes.....

 

Yet suddenly, fight fans crave these titles more than meaningful match ups!!

 

People are using these fucking belts as a guide to how to split the AJ / Wilder purse for fuck sake!!

 

The governing bodies seemingly have the balls of boxing in their hands.

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Re: DeGale vacates IBF title to go after big fights before retirement

 

Fine, I get it.

 

I still don't like it. Belts shouldn't be handed out. And the idea of an "interim" champ is silly.

 

 

So there.

 

Preaching to the choir there - I'm sick of belts being given out like sweets, but then by time I was a boxing fan there were 4 major belts and a host of minor ones - I missed the glory days of just having one.

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Re: DeGale vacates IBF title to go after big fights before retirement

 

He was the interim champion, so he gets the gig when the champ vacates.

 

And a gatekeeper, nothing more. Uzcategui was good enough to kick Dirrell's ass, but nothing more than that. Just a tough guy with balls, cojones. Who also can hit.

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Re: DeGale vacates IBF title to go after big fights before retirement

 

:mlol: What parallel? Lol...

 

Inheriting the belt rather than winning it, not actually an elite fighter. I mean, the similarities end there really, unless Uzcategui's real name is Dai Fists.

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Re: DeGale vacates IBF title to go after big fights before retirement

 

Inheriting the belt rather than winning it, not actually an elite fighter. I mean, the similarities end there really, unless Uzcategui's real name is Dai Fists.

Dai Fists? :lmao: Don't think it is! :haha:

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Re: DeGale vacates IBF title to go after big fights before retirement

 

He didn't look good enough in his last two fights to be competitive against likes of Groves, Smith or Benavidez. If he's looking for a big paycheck the title should help him in doin' so. I don't get this decision.

 

He won't be missed and neither will be his arrogant attitude when he retires. I don't get the decision to vacate the title either, surely the title would help him get the big fights/paydays.

 

I don't see him around much longer.

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Re: DeGale vacates IBF title to go after big fights before retirement

 

I assumed it was to pursue "bigger" fights than take on relative unknowns but dangerous operators. Some would say it's a smart move if it was a boxer they actually liked.

 

IF it's to persue big name fights then fair enough.

 

Agree he isn't the most likeable person, he isnt the most interesting fighter to watch either, so he will probably be hoping to cash out at this point and retire in the next few years.

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Re: DeGale vacates IBF title to go after big fights before retirement

 

Fine, I get it.

 

I still don't like it. Belts shouldn't be handed out. And the idea of an "interim" champ is silly.

 

 

So there.

 

I agree with where this is coming from - but to put the other side of the argument; he did win a fight for the right to be awarded the belt if it turned out that the champion vacated. So it could be argued that this isn't all that different from winning a vacant title, it's just that in that case you definitely know in advance that you will be the champion, whereas fighting for interim status still leaves it open whether you will become champion (if the champion vacates) or simply have the right to fight for the title.

 

Having said all that, I'm pretty much on board with any criticism of sanctioning bodies and worries about how many belts are out there - boxing has descended into a self-parody in some cases.

 

Will be interesting to see which big fights are actually out there for DeGale. There's lots of chatter about BJS - but I'm just not sure whether the amount of money there for that fight is enough to make it worth BJS time risking a later fight with the GGG-Canelo winner. Maybe he doubts that he'll ever get a shot at either of them. Spencer Fearon was on Sky's boxing podcast this week insisting that DeGale is looking for a Groves fight and he seemed to be suggesting that was instead of the WBSS final. I'm not sure if he has any insider knowledge but I can't see that happening unless Smith or Groves are not going to be fit in time for the September final.

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Re: DeGale vacates IBF title to go after big fights before retirement

 

Dai Fists? :lmao: Don't think it is! :haha:

 

I know, I just love the Welsh nicknaming system and wanted to shoehorn the reference in - been listening to Dylan Thomas again recently :D

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Re: DeGale vacates IBF title to go after big fights before retirement

 

I know, I just love the Welsh nicknaming system and wanted to shoehorn the reference in - been listening to Dylan Thomas again recently :D

 

Dai Dai Dai...that name is so much fun to say! :laugh: "Hello, my name is DAI DAVIES and I'm from Daffodiddly!" :mlol: No offense intended to anyone Welsh, I like Wales. ;-)

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Re: DeGale vacates IBF title to go after big fights before retirement

 

Dai Dai Dai...that name is so much fun to say! :laugh: "Hello, my name is DAI DAVIES and I'm from Daffodiddly!" :mlol: No offense intended to anyone Welsh, I like Wales. ;-)

 

I know at least 8 dai davies'

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