Actually, in real terms Paul Smith's probably better than Jimmy Brehdal who Oscar won his first 'world title' against in his 12th fight. I can't think of any young Olympian who's been moved along faster. Moaning for moaning's sake.
I´m just trying to tell you guys, that you need to hit the brakes with DeGale. He has fought nobody yet. His last fight was stopped before he even hit Dilks. Paul Smith is just another good british level fighter. DeGale has never fought past five rounds, he has never felt any heat in the pros. You guys are talking about fighting Andre Ward and shit. Even with a prospect like Lara fans are talking shot Cory Spinks, Vanes Martirosyan and such for a next step to a world title not Manny Pacquiao, Sergio Martinez or Floyd Mayweather. Lara actually has fought much stiffer competition and ten rounds already.
I tend to agree with my fellow Brits here. DeGale looks like he's the goods. That pains me to type, because I find the whole 'chunky' persona extremely annoying. This weekend will tell us a lot, though, because Smith is a very handy British Champ and at only nine fights in this represents something of a risk and a considerable step-up in class for De Gale. I expect him to win but a quick victory would be a surprise and very impressive IMHO. MTF
DeGale/Smith has the makings to be a great fight and should be fight of the night at the Echo Arena. Will be interesting to see how chunky does if the fight goes past 7/8 rounds.
Paul Smith is a no-power cut prone guy whose claim to fame is dropping a decision to Jean Pascal in the amateurs. Let's not make him out to be even approaching World Class-Smith recently went 12 very close rounds with an utterly utterly shot fighter called Tony Dodson who was as good as finished years ago after a car accident and who was stopped on a single body shot by Froch years and years ago before Froch was even champ.
You know what the most annoying thing about DeGale is? His trainer. It is a scientific fact that Jimmy McDonnell burns 765 calories for every minute of talking that he does. That's how fucking hard it is for him. DeGale on cuts stoppage from just about any round of this.
I mean it´s easy to understand why the brits see greatness in DeGale. Promoted by Frank Warren and a southpaw with the punching technique of Joe Calzaghe, backhand jabs, slaps with the inside of the gloves.
He's like a poor mans Herol Graham, we don't even know if he has much of a chin. His style will win him a lot of fights but it wont win him any fans. Smith is plodding gamely, he is getting off as many shots now as he was at the start, one here, one there. Smith is "Ruggard, strong, hard and proud", say the commentators, all of which is a euphemism for LIMITED.
Weak stoppage. A fittingly shite ending to a weak affair. Smith has the variety of a packet of chocolate buttons and DeGale is going nowhere.
Irish, I think you're smoking fucking crack. De Gale is heads and shoulders the best prospect fighter I've seen in my 11 years following the sport.
Let's say he was. You didn't figure that out off the back of tonights little seance. Paul Smith..wow..is he the worst British 168lb Champ of all time? Slow, small, cut prone....no variety , shuffles forward, and that brain-damaged Manc Jamie Moor talking about how Smith was about to take over.....:Thumbs:
De Gale is pretty much hard on material for me, Im not gonna lie. I don't think Ludwig II liked Wagner as much as I enjoyed that performance.
Okay then...as soon as he does I will give him credit. Right now he is fighting nobodies. Joe Calzaghe would, after 12 fights, have had a guy like Smith out of there after 3 rounds. DeGale seems to be some sort of a pot-shotter, Calzaghe would have been razor-blading Smith into a pulp.
Nah Guzman's on first then Ortiz-Peterson then Khan. That muppet Bellews on now in Liverpoolwhich is why Im back on the computer passing the time.:doh:
A great couple days at the bookies, incidentally. Adamek by stoppage between the 4th and 8th at 5/2 then De Gale by stoppage at evens. After the inevitability of Burns by decision at 4/7 paid for last weekends cider. Ortiz to win and Khan-Maidana not to go the distance and the Pogues on monday night is totally paid for. Lebedev over Huck and I think I'll buy myself a new coat. Might quit my job at this rate.:mj:
I'm surprised my fellow Brits are rating Gale that highly. I liked him and rooted for him in the olympics, but he's not great IMO, I'd be surprised if he has as much success as Khan has.
Then you'll be surprised. Best natural born boxer we've seen since Floyd. The guy was doing as he pleased in there.
And Benn would have had him out in 1 round. And Calzaghe was better than Ben and De Gale is better than Calzaghe.
Hut Hut, I think that's insane. DeGale seems pretty good, but not even close to being as good as you think. He's pretty sloppy and awkward. He can box a bit, and has natural ability, but nothing about him is exceptional IMO. He's not better than Calzaghe in any way, and not even close to being as good as Floyd is, or as Floyd was after 10 fights. Like I said I like the guy, I certainly have no agenda, but he'll only be borderline world class IMO. Not a chance he'll be as successful as Calzaghe. He'll be marginally better than a fighter like Berto.
I think we're seeing totally different things. The way this guy slips and counters, deflects shots with his shoulders & elbows, decides range every second of every round, switch hits seemlessly and to purpose, smothers guys on the inside, slides inside and jabs in one motion, spins a guy round with angles on their misses. The guys already technically world class and beyond. I'd pick him over any supermiddleweight not named Ward within a year and he'll beat anyone at 160-175 within 2. I think you can check with anyone who's been posting since the secondsout days - I've NEVER hyped up a talent like this guy. He's special. Gotta go Juan Guzman's coming on.:cheer: