Sunday 15 January 2017 07:57, UK
James DeGale is edging closer to his unification clash with Badou Jack and we've asked our panel of experts to make their pre-fight predictions.
IBF champion DeGale will battle WBC champion Jack in New York in the early hours of Sunday morning, live on Sky Sports.
But will the British fighter become the No 1 super-middleweight in the world? The Panel have picked a winner...
A close points decision that could go either way, but I expect DeGale to win. People will be surprised and raise their eyebrows, but this will be close. It’s in America! Floyd Mayweather has got a lot of clout, although I’m not suggesting anyone is cheating.
In close rounds, in a subjective sport that can go either way, it will be a close points decision. If I had to put money on it, I’d say DeGale, but don’t be surprised if Jack wins a close or split decision.
It will be a hard, tough fight because Badou Jack is good at everything, but not brilliant. The kind of fighter that beats Badou Jack is a guy who has the style of James DeGale, an unorthodox style, because Badou Jack is very orthodox in comparison to James DeGale, so it won’t be an easy night.
I would say James wins, but it’s not an easy night. People say James is lazy, mentally he drifts away, but I think he just gets a bit complacent and thinks ‘this is easy.’ He’s got to get out that habit. I think James DeGale will win on a split decision.
I’m excited, I’m looking forward to seeing it. Two of the best super-middleweights in the world in my division. I think it’s a good fight. Going off recent performances, then you could say it’s a 50-50 fight. They are both good champions, but I feel, given the chance, I have got the beating of either of them.
If the best versions of both fighters turns up, then DeGale is the better man. He’s known to switch off in the past and if he does this time, he could come unstuck. But I think a unification fight should bring the best out of him. That should be enough for him to come away with the win, and both titles.
It’s a close one. I think DeGale should win. I think he’s the better fighter, but I have seen him fade a little bit over the last few fights. It might be a couple of mental issues when a fight gets going, but he’s just faded a little bit over the latter part of recent fights that I’ve seen. It might be a little problem which has now been resolved. I think it’s DeGale’s fight to lose. Jack is a big puncher, so I wouldn’t be too surprised if it went the other way and it was a Jack stoppage, but my money is on DeGale on points.
I think we’re going to see the best James DeGale that we’ve seen in a long time. DeGale has got a good chance of schooling Badou Jack. He’s a very good fighter, James DeGale.
Badou Jack is a good world champion, who I feel has improved in his last few performances, but I do think DeGale, his switch hitting, his change of feet up close, will cause Jack huge problems. I think everyone will be talking about James DeGale after this fight.
Looking at the footage and the pictures of DeGale, he looks in fantastic shape. He’s not normally one of these fighters that looks ripped. He is fit, he is an athlete, but it looks like his camp has gone really well.
The last third of the fight is going to be crucial. James has got to use his skills, use his boxing ability. It will be a hard fight for both of them, but it’s a fight that I believe DeGale can win. It’s going to be hard fought, every round will be competitive, but I do think DeGale will do enough to edge them.
DeGale wins on points. I wouldn’t be surprised if gets the stoppage. DeGale is a deceptively hard puncher and Jack is the kind of guy whose style means DeGale will catch him cleanly. DeGale struggles with movement, but Jack doesn’t have that.
DeGale on points is my verdict, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a late stoppage, and hopefully it will set up an all-British showdown with Callum Smith.
It’s a tough fight, but I fancy James to win on points. It will be competitive, he won’t have everything his own way. Jack is a good all-rounder, who isn’t spectacular. He’s solid in every department.
James has certainly got more flair, more variety, more of a repertoire, and he’s more awkward with his singles. But he needs to sustain it over 12 rounds - Jack won’t force a Ricky Hatton pace - but he’ll be solid and steady. James starts fast, but he needs to pace this fight right. This is the biggest fight of James’ career and he’ll be aware of that.
I'd go for DeGale on points. He does seem to switch off sometimes, but when he's on form he's hard to beat. You're talking about a skilful, unorthodox southpaw and I expect him to show that against Jack.
Badou Jack is a good fighter and can punch hard, but he's been and done it before, so I've got to go with DeGale.
I am really looking forward to this one. James looked like he was in the best shape ever and I just see him a bit to slick, a bit too fast for Badou Jack.
I don't think James gets enough credit, because his last few fights have seen him put some big names on his record and he has done it on the road. I think he will add another world title to his name. DeGale on points.
Badou Jack's skills have just gone from level one to level 10 overnight, so I am super impressed. But DeGale is a phenomenal fighter. This could be fight of the year.
I've got to be honest, this is going to be such a close fight, this really could be a draw.
Watch James DeGale v Badou Jack in a unification fight from the Barclays Center, New York, live on Sky Sports 1, 2am, Sunday, January 15.
