Photo by Suzanne Teresa/Premier Boxing Champions
For the fans out there that want to see a real boxing match, this fight is for you. This Saturday’s Premier Boxing Champions card features Andre “The Resurrected” Dirrell vs. James “Chunky” DeGale, as they compete for the vacant IBF Super Middleweight title.
Titles have become a bit like the college degrees of boxing: you have to work tirelessly to get them; we don’t really know what each title stands for or the weight it carries (and there are a lot out there), but it sure sounds good to say you’ve got one.
Winning a title means a great deal to Dirrell and DeGale. DeGale wants to make history as the first British boxer to win Olympic gold and a pro world title. Dirrell needs this title to give himself a boost of momentum to the comeback he’s been making since the ill-fated Arthur Abraham fight. After being hit while down by Abraham, many thought Dirrell might never fight again; he withdrew from the Super Six tournament due to resulting neurological issues. Now Dirrell is tasked with one of the most challenging situations a fighter can experience—learning to face yourself in the ring.
If you don’t know much about DeGale, know this: He’s a talented super middleweight from London who is a mirror of Dirrell’s slick, southpaw fighting style.
Expect DeGale to turn things up slightly more than Dirrell; he can box, but he has the kind of grit that makes him unafraid to get his hands dirty. It will be interesting to see how Dirrell (who has an equally slick style and a Houdini-like ability to switch stances) handles the British powerhouse.
DeGale has the “it” factor that will make this fight exciting for boxing enthusiasts and bring a little something-something for the action-enthused fan.
