Olympic gold medallist James DeGale has ruled out competing at the European Championships this November as offers to turn professional roll in. The middleweight boxer, who has yet to receive an offer from the Amateur Boxing Association (ABA), told Setanta Sports News he would “give them a miss..”
“They’re in another eight weeks. I need to a touch more rest, a touch more fitness and to generally sort stuff out. And decide if I’m going to stay amateur or go pro.
“I’m not going to sign a contract for two years if there’s an upcoming boxer that can elbow me aside. I need to sign something for four years.”
Speaking alongside DeGale was his trainer Steve Newland who said:
“You need to know what’s on offer. What is the ABA going to offer him over the next four years?
“It’s not just about money, the biggest thing is motivation. What can motivate him? I know the things he wants to do but motivation is the most important thing.”
English Title Shots For Maloney Prospects Fewkes, Haywood
Frank Maloney with hot prospects John Fewkes and Scott Haywood looking to stamp their names into the upper echelons of the UK fight scene in support of Rendall Munroe’s European super bantam title defense against mandatory challenger Arsen Martirosian.
23 year old Fewkes, 17-0 (2), came roaring out of Sheffield last year and defeated the favored trio of Craig Watson, Tonto Tontchev and Gary Reid to earn a shot at the vacant English lightweight title this weekend.
Facing Fewkes will be another spoiler, 24 year old Martin Gethin, 14-0-1 (6), who shockingly stopped the previously undefeated Nadeem Siddique in July and the rangy West Midland battler is hoping to pull off another upset.
But for Gethin to realize his ambition, he’ll have to blunt the pressure and sharp skill of Fewkes, something that no one has been able to accomplish to date, in what is sure to be a high velocity battle of wills for as long as it lasts.
Fewkes’ promotional stablemate, towering light welter Haywood, 18-2 (4), of Derby gets his first title opportunity on the Nottingham bill and the 27 year old six footer will pit his cagey, awkward style against rugged 25 year old unbeaten prospect, Dean Harrison, 12-0 (3), of Wolverhampton.
The pair will argue the vacant English light welter title in this classic boxer vs. fighter matchup and the more experienced Haywood will have to draw upon his entire tricky arsenal if he is to keep the confident Harrison at bay in this unpredictable showdown.
One of Britain’s top welterweights, Matthew Hatton, 33-4-1 (13), is also on the bill and the hard-nosed Manchester veteran will be in action for the first time since losing a thrilling challenge to Commonwealth champion Craig Watson in May as he clashes with Ramsgate stylist Scott Woolford, 8-1 (1), over eight scheduled rounds.
Middleweight Kevin Concepcion, featherweight Harry Ramogoadi, light heavy Adie Whitmore and light middle Karl Chiverton will all participate in bouts at Harvey Hadden, which also sees five additional contests to round out the evening.
Frank Maloney Promotions presents “Working Class Hero”, the European super bantamweight championship clash between champion Rendall Munroe and challenger Arsen Martirosian on Friday, September 5, 2008 at Harvey Hadden Leisure Centre in Nottingham, England with full undercard support including two English title bouts.
Ringside tickets are sold out for this event but a limited supply of non-ringside tickets are still available for £35 by calling the Box Office on 0871 226 1508 or by logging onto www.frankmaloney.com.
Sky Sports will televise the action live on SS1 starting at 10PM.