At yesterday’s media workout ahead of Saturday’s PBC on CBS, James DeGale took some time out to chat to iFLtv about the fight and the laughable situation that saw another of the Dirrell brothers, Willie, hijack proceedings – vocally branding the Londoner a loser – among other things – as the assembled media looked on.
DeGale insists he is in better shape than ever ahead of the history making fight for the vacant 168lb IBF strap, which, should he win, means he will become the first British gold medal winning Olympian to go on and win a world title in the paid ranks.
He said;
“I’m in good, good shape, man. It’s been a long camp. I’ve been training for the past 16 weeks. I’m ready to go now, man.”
“Of course I want to make history and become the 1st Olympic gold medalist from Great Britain to win a genuine world title. A lot of people say I’m obsessed with this making history stuff – well I am because I want to do it and I need to do it. To be the first to do it would be fantastic.”
“Look at the list (of fighters who have done it). Sugar Ray Leonard, Muhammad Ali, Pernell Whitaker. So many great, great fighters on that list but none from Great Britain – so if I could be the first, then that’d be fantastic.”
It didn’t take long for attention to turn to the loud-mouthed Dirrell brother, who – it would seem – has been waging something of an instagram war with the Brit for some time. An exasperated, yet amused DeGale said;
“That’s Willie Dirrell. For the past 6 months he’s been commenting on my instagram pictures. The guy’s been driving me mad. Normally I go back and say – ‘listen you little idiot, shut up – go on, do one’ – but just let him. He’s chatting bare sh** on my instagram. He needs to relax himself and chill.”
“You know he’s a typical, flash American – trying to get underneath my skin and trying to annoy me. It won’t wind me up, I just think he’s an idiot. Like, get a life, go away – d’ya know what I’m saying?….Pathetic.”
DeGale sure is looking good ahead of this one and if it was the Andre Dirrell of 5 or 6 years ago in there, then I’d be more inclined to call this a pick ’em. I just feel the momentum is firmly behind the Brit, who will be looking to emulate the success of Kell Brook – who dethroned Shawn Porter for the IBF 147lb strap last August in Carson, California.
Andre Dirrell hasn’t been the same since Arthur Abraham – that’s for sure.
Only time will tell if our latest “Road Warrior” is successful, yet it would appear that DeGale is taking no chances, giving his opponent the due respect.
He said;
“Let’s not get it twisted, Dirrell is a wicked fighter, very good fighter, talented. Former Olympic medalist (bronze ’04) – a confident fighter – but I’m ready. I’ve trained too hard and come on too much not to win this IBF world title.”
“Listen (points behind him) I can hear Willie Dirrell in the background! That f*****g noise is driving me mad. (Begins mocking the American). Willie Dirrell? What a…?…(smiles) . Drives me mad!”
Hopefully he will get to shut him up Saturday with a statement, world title winning performance over his brother.
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