James DeGale has hit back at Paul Smith – and warned him excellence will trump experience. The pair clash for the British super-middleweight title at the Liverpool Echo Arena on December 11. It’s all part of Frank Warren’s bumper Christmas card, the Return of the Magnificent Seven. And yesterday Smith claimed that with nearly 30 fights in the bag as a professional, he will have too much know how for DeGale. But the 2008 Olympic gold medallist has rubbished Smigga’s claims.
“Getting to an Olympic final is like having 15 or 20 pro fights, so I’m actually right up there with Smith when it comes to experience,” said Chunky..
“As an amateur I fought and beat some of the best prospects in world boxing.
“Tony Dodson and Tony Quigley aren’t world beaters yet they both took Smith the full distance. He was beaten by Steve Bendall who I thought Smith would have beaten easily.
“As I keep saying, I’m good friends with Paul and his family, and I have got every respect for him.
“He’s a true warrior and he will be my toughest opponent to date.
“But he’s wrong in saying that because he has had more fights than me, he’s going to win.
“I haven’t done many rounds as a professional, but (trainer) Jimmy McDonnell absolutely tortures me in the gym.
“I would be surprised if there is a fitter boxer in Britain right now than me, and everyone will see that on December 11.
“If I knock Paul Smith out in the first, or I have to go 12 hard rounds, there will be a new British champion on the night.”
Tickets for the Return of the Magnificent Seven, priced at £40, £50, £100, £150 and £250, are available from:
The Liverpool Echo Arena
0844 800 0400
www.echoarena.com
Ticketmaster
0844 844 0444
www.ticketmaster.co.uk
See Tickets
0871 220 0260
www.seetickets.com
SMITH’S SAYS EXPERIENCE IS KEY TO WINNING
British super-middleweight champion Paul Smith has warned James DeGale that he is too inexperienced to beat him.
The pair clash on December 11 at the Liverpool Echo Arena in a mouth-watering domestic dust up.
It is part of Frank Warren’s Return of the Magnificent Seven card which will see multiple title fights on offer.
Home fighter Smith has already boxed 29 times as a professional, completing 148 rounds.
By comparison, Olympic 2008 champion DeGale has racked-up eight pro contests with only 21 rounds under his belt – and has yet to go six-rounds.
“It’s going to be man against boy,” said Smith.
“I’ve done 12 hard rounds in my last two fights, more rounds than DeGale has done in his life.
“Experience is the key in this one, and I’ve got so much more of it than DeGale.
“I’ll know exactly what to do in there when the going gets tough – and believe me it will get tough – but James will be asking himself ‘What do I do once it goes past six rounds?’
“This is the kind of fight where one guy gets taken into deep waters where he has not been before.
“And believe me, DeGale will find the waters very deep once we get into the second half of the fight.
“He tells everyone how fit he is, and how he can do 12 rounds no problem in the gym.
“Now we we will find out. I’m sure he can, but there is a very big difference between sparring 12 rounds and fighting hard for 12 rounds like I had to do against Dodson and Quigley.
“I’ve got the ability to beat DeGale, but I’ve also got the experience to beat him as well.”
Tickets for the Return of the Magnificent Seven, priced at £40, £50, £100, £150 and £250, are available from:
The Liverpool Echo Arena
0844 800 0400
www.echoarena.com
Ticketmaster
0844 844 0444
www.ticketmaster.co.uk
See Tickets
0871 220 0260
www.seetickets.com