DeGale to face Smith
James DeGale is set for a serious step up in class when he challenges British champion Paul Smith for his title on December 11th.
Olympic gold medallist DeGale has so far looked comfortable in all his bouts to date, bar a shaky professional debut against Vepkhia Tchilaia. Since then he has grown in stature as he has stepped up the standard of his opponents.
In his last outing on Frank Warren’s “Magnificent Seven” card in September he brushed aside Carl Dilks in the first round with consummate ease. It was a display of class, speed and power and proved that he was ready to step up to the cream of domestic competition.
Paul Smith represents a much sterner challenge. The Liverpool-born Super-middleweight has been a force at this level for some time, having only ever lost one fight to Steven Bendall two years ago. For some reason he has never got out of the domestic ranks except for a spell on the TV program The Contender, yet he fights with a record of 29 wins from his thirty fights and has potential to push on to at least European level.
This match up has added spice as DeGale and Smith have history together, they are old friends which stems from when DeGale fought Smiths younger brother in his amateur days.
DeGale has said he won’t be bad mouthing his opponent but Smith had a few things to say on Frank Warren’s website. The British champion said; "It's strange fighting someone you know very well, but business is business.
"It's just the way boxing is, and there is so much at stake on December 11 that there will be no time to think about being mates.
"DeGale can expect an all-out war because I will not be holding back or feeling sorry for him.
"When I see that he is hurt I will be going in for the finish.
"Fight fans had better get ready because it's going to be the one of the most explosive seen in a British ring for some time.”
However Smith also said that after the fight is over the two will still be friends; "But when it's all done and dusted, we'll shake hands and be friends again.
"So much so, that James and his family are more than welcome round my house for a Sunday roast the day after the fight and I'll do the cooking.
"We can both sit there and l**k our wounds, and James can even try on my Lonsdale belt for size because the closest he is going to come to wearing it.”
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