WBC champion Badou “The Ripper” Jack (20-1-2, 12 KOs) will face IBF champion James “Chunky” DeGale (23-1, 14 KOs) in a unification bout this Saturday, January 14, 2017.
This is a Super Middleweight unification bout that will take place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York and will be televised on Showtime Championship Boxing.
Jack vs. DeGale is as good of a matchup as boxing fans could ask for. The fighters are ranked No. 1 and No. 2 at 168 pounds and have recently been fighting high-level opposition.
This fight has been in the making for quite a while now, both blaming the fight not happening sooner on the other. Saturday night, they will finally be able to settle it in the ring and the better fighter will end the night with his hand raised.
Both fighters are confi
dent they will come out on top of the Super Middleweight division. DeGale is currently ranked the No. 1 Super Middleweight and going into Saturday night’s looks to be the slight favorite.
DeGale won the vacant IBF Super Middleweight title against Andre Dirrell in May of 2015 and has defended it twice since against Lucian Bute and Rogelio Medina, winning via unanimous decision both times.
“I’m feeling really good–it’s the one I’ve wanted. Champ versus champ, best versus the best. He’s underrated. If I’m being honest the only reason why this fight hasn’t happened quicker is because Badou Jack didn’t want it,” said DeGale (via Sky Sports).
Jack has proven numerous times that he should not be taken lightly as an opponent. Jack won the WBC Super Middleweight title against Anthony Dirrell, Andre’s younger brother, in April of 2015.
He has since defended his title twice, the first time against George Groves winning via split decision and the second, retaining the title after a majority decision draw against Lucian Bute. Though both performances were far from his best, Jack is excited to prove that he deserves to be at the top of the Super Middleweight division.
“I’m ready. I don’t care about old fights if he went 12 rounds with this guy and that guy. Me and DeGale have to fight so whatever happened in the past, it don’t matter,” said Jack (via Sky Sports).
There has been a lot of trash talking leading up to this rivalry Super Middleweight unification bout that takes place Saturday night. Both men have expressed the fact that they are more than confident that they will leave Barclays Center victorious.
Jack and DeGale seem to be nearly on the same level in terms of talent and they are both looking to prove they are better than their last fights.
While the Super Middleweight division is stacked with competition and several worthy contenders, Jack vs. DeGale will determine who deserves to be ranked No. 1 in the division. Needless to say, this fight is a great way to start off the 2017 year for boxing fans.
All photos by Amanda Westcott/Showtime
