DEGALE MOVES CLOSER TO WORLD TITLE OPPORTUNITIES AND BRITISH SUPER-FIGHTS
London (11 June) James DeGale is targeting domestic super-fights and world honours after his impressive stoppage win over Croatia’s Stjepan Bozic at the weekend.
Live on Channel 5, Bozic’s corner pulled their fighter out before the start of the fifth round, as James outclassed and outgunned the former world title challenger to successfully defend his WBC Silver super-middleweight title at Glow, Bluewater.
“I’m in boxing for the big fights,” DeGale said.
“Carl Froch is a very good fighter but everyone is making him out to be like The Terminator, who can’t be beaten.
“But he has lost before and I think I’m all wrong for him.”
James came out and set the pace immediately, landing solid combinations to the body of Bozic.
Utilising his superior speed and movement, DeGale never looked troubled by the Croatian fighter, who beat Carl Froch in the quarter-finals of the 2000 European Championships when the pair were amateurs.
Landing multiple body punches before switching to land uppercuts and hooks to the head, DeGale was clearly looking to impress and despite the action being temporarily stopped in the third and fourth rounds when he landed accidental low blows on his opponent, James never let the pace drop.
Shifting through the gears it was clear that DeGale had plenty in the tank in his latest fight since defeating Sebastien Demers in Canada just 22 days earlier.
By the end of the fourth Bozic had soaked up a lot of punishment to his body and head and his corner took the decision to stop the contest.
The win gave James his 16th win as a professional and leaves him on the cusp of world title fights and domestic super-fights.
“He couldn’t take it any more,” DeGale said.
“I’ve boxed my last four fights with a knee injury, but my knee is perfect now.
“It wasn’t a vintage performance, but it was nice and I’m pleased.”
This was DeGale’s sixth consecutive victory since his controversial points defeat to rivalGeorge Groves.
With Froch likely to look towards another fight with Denmark’s Mikkel Kessler or American Andre Ward, a possible rematch with Groves or a fight with the winner of Cameroon-born Australian Sakio Bika and Mexican Marco Antonio Periban, who fight for the vacant WBC world title in June, could be possible options for the man known as‘Chunky’.
LINK TO WATCH THE CHANNEL 5 BROADCAST FROM JUNE 8 NOW ON DEMAND 5:
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