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The Times, UK
Feb 28 2014
James DeGale looking past Gevorg Khatchikian towards world title shot
by Ron Lewis, Boxing Correspondent
Having seen George Groves, his bitter rival, grab plenty of headlines
with his performance against Carl Froch, James DeGale continues a more
low-key route towards what he hopes will be a world title shot in
Bristol tomorrow evening.
DeGale, the 2008 Olympic gold medal-winner, faces Gevorg Khatchikian,
an unbeaten Dutchman who was born in Armenia, who is likely to provide
a stern workout before DeGale faces Badou Jack in a final eliminator
for the WBC super-middleweight title this summer.
"I'm very excited, I'm literally a fight away from the world title,"
DeGale said. "I'm not overlooking this guy on Saturday but it goes to
plan I could be world champion by September."
History, as he is constantly reminded, is against DeGale, as no
British Olympic gold medal-winner has gone on to win a world title as
a professional. The 28-year-old Londoner is not one for self-doubt,
though, and having recovered from a groin injury that hampered his
ability to duck and throw with full power, he is expecting to put on a
good performance.
"I had something called Gilmore's groin, which was a torn groin, so
the last couple of fights I've been fighting injured," DeGale said.
"But I've got that sorted now, I had the operation, it's mending well
and I'm feeling good. I feel like a parrot, as it feels like the last
couple of fights I've said the same thing, but I don't want to make
excuses, I'm going to give a wicked performance.
"I've seen bits of my opponent and he's game, he comes forward, he's
an aggressive fighter, but the way I'm feeling, I can't see this going
the 12 rounds."
Should he get past Khatchikian, Jack - who is boxing Derek Edwards in
the United States tonight - should be next. Mick Hennessy, DeGale's
promoter, made an offer to hold the bout in the UK, but Mayweather
Promotions, who promote Jack, did not reply. The venue for the bout
will now be decided by a purse bid on March 14.
"I'm feeling really good and I'm raring to go, it's closing in now,"
DeGale said. "It would mean a lot, making history full stop, to be the
first Olympic gold medallist from Great Britain. To become a genuine
world champion is big and would be something special."
Lee Haskins defends his British bantamweight title against Luke Wilton
on the Bristol show, which will be broadcast live on Channel 5.
From: Baghdasarian
Feb 28 2014
James DeGale looking past Gevorg Khatchikian towards world title shot
by Ron Lewis, Boxing Correspondent
Having seen George Groves, his bitter rival, grab plenty of headlines
with his performance against Carl Froch, James DeGale continues a more
low-key route towards what he hopes will be a world title shot in
Bristol tomorrow evening.
DeGale, the 2008 Olympic gold medal-winner, faces Gevorg Khatchikian,
an unbeaten Dutchman who was born in Armenia, who is likely to provide
a stern workout before DeGale faces Badou Jack in a final eliminator
for the WBC super-middleweight title this summer.
"I'm very excited, I'm literally a fight away from the world title,"
DeGale said. "I'm not overlooking this guy on Saturday but it goes to
plan I could be world champion by September."
History, as he is constantly reminded, is against DeGale, as no
British Olympic gold medal-winner has gone on to win a world title as
a professional. The 28-year-old Londoner is not one for self-doubt,
though, and having recovered from a groin injury that hampered his
ability to duck and throw with full power, he is expecting to put on a
good performance.
"I had something called Gilmore's groin, which was a torn groin, so
the last couple of fights I've been fighting injured," DeGale said.
"But I've got that sorted now, I had the operation, it's mending well
and I'm feeling good. I feel like a parrot, as it feels like the last
couple of fights I've said the same thing, but I don't want to make
excuses, I'm going to give a wicked performance.
"I've seen bits of my opponent and he's game, he comes forward, he's
an aggressive fighter, but the way I'm feeling, I can't see this going
the 12 rounds."
Should he get past Khatchikian, Jack - who is boxing Derek Edwards in
the United States tonight - should be next. Mick Hennessy, DeGale's
promoter, made an offer to hold the bout in the UK, but Mayweather
Promotions, who promote Jack, did not reply. The venue for the bout
will now be decided by a purse bid on March 14.
"I'm feeling really good and I'm raring to go, it's closing in now,"
DeGale said. "It would mean a lot, making history full stop, to be the
first Olympic gold medallist from Great Britain. To become a genuine
world champion is big and would be something special."
Lee Haskins defends his British bantamweight title against Luke Wilton
on the Bristol show, which will be broadcast live on Channel 5.
From: Baghdasarian