The International but ‘Local’ 168 pound World Title fight
BoxingGlove Notes
Distinio Lois, Jr.
The title of my report is somewhat confusing but in reality it speaks for itself.
Thanks to recently retired 5-time world champ, Floyd “Money” Mayweather’s T.M.T. Promotions, and Lou DiBella’s DiBella Entertainment, Brooklyn’s own Barclays Center will headline a Super Middleweight Championship unification fight Saturday, January 14th 2017. It is the first mega fight of the New Year.
The international flavor or taste of this title fight is because both opponents are ‘foreigners’. Badou “The Ripper” Jack, 20-1-2, 12 knockouts, W.B.C. Super Middleweight champion was born in Sweden of a Gambian father and Swedish Mother, and I.B.F. Super Middleweight champion James “Chunky” DeGale, 23-1, 14 k.o.’s, is the son of a Grenadian father and a White British Mother, and he was born and raised in London.
Both Jack and DeGale will be fighting to unify their own world titles and also the victor will add the Ring Magazine Super Middleweight Crown which will then permit the winner to own and defend 3 world titles. Who will be victorious depends on which ‘true’ formidable champion shows up at the Barclays Center, Saturday night.
Let’s analyze these 2 strangers who are excited to come to our shores to make their United States ring debut at the Barclays.
Badou Jack is a 2008 Olympian who carried the Gambian flag into the Olympic Stadium at 18 years of age and although he lost in the first bout before he turned professional, he amassed an amateur fight record of 150 wins and only 25 defeats. Jack was a Swedish National Champ 5 years in a row, 4 times as a Middleweight and 1 time as a Light Heavyweight.
Jack then made his pro debut in 2009 and after 4 pro fights in his native Sweden, immigrated to the United States, was then scouted and signed by Floyd Mayweather. On April, 2015 Jack defeated Andre Dirrell winning the W.B.C. Super Middleweight Crown.
Badou Jack although he has compiled a knockout record in double figures-12-is really a compact boxer with a lot of boxing skills like his mentor Floyd Mayweather. Jack also displays plenty of ring generalship, throws punches in punishing fast combinations, and can hurt an opponent from body to head with the ability to take an opponent in to the later rounds and defeat him by decision or knockout.
On the other corner of the Barclays Center ring we have a super confident Gold Medal winning Olympian in the Beijing 2008 Olympics, James DeGale, who’s amateur career consisted of only 79 wins and 16 defeats. DeGale stated that “I am ready for Badou Jack’s challenges. I have worked very hard in camp because I waited for this opportunity for a long time.”
DeGale also stated that a strong family background and support brought him to this point of success in his life starting with a tough “Mum”. She recognized early and was concerned of his possible gang affiliations and guns life and put him into programs, separate from his wrong delinquent directions.
Mother Diane with the approval of his father LeRoy enrolled him in a Stage School in London where he learned dancing especially Ballet, where according to DeGale he was able to develop good footwork and become flashy in the ring.
“Thanks to the dancing experience I am able to throw punches from all angles while switching from south paw to the right hand stance confusing my opponents, and I hit hard enough to score a knockout.” stated Degale.
“It’s a family affair, Mum, Dad, and my sister Ellie, but ‘Mum’ is the boss. She always says ‘Break a Leg’ but never watches my fights because she is too nervous. She just awaits the results. She also manages my money and career and I am comfortable with that.”
This tall south paw from London further declared that when he wins he would like to then defend his 3 crowns in Wembley Stadium, London before 80,000 fans against George Groves the only one who defeated him in the pros.
Having seen both fighters win their championship fights-Badou defeating Anthony Dirrell and DeGale defeating Andre Dirrell-tough brother opponents for their respective Super Middleweight World titles, it is a foregone conclusion that this fight will go down to the “wire”-12 rounds-and the most determined fighter with the best ring generalship will win.
The semi-final also a World Championship fight features a very talented female 5 times world champ, Amanda Serrano, 30-1, 23 knockouts, from Brooklyn, N.Y. by way of Carolina, Puerto Rico. She is the current W.B.O. Women’s Junior 126 Pound Champ.
Serrano recently became the 2nd Puerto Rican in boxing history to win 5 world titles. The first was Miguel Cotto from Caguas, P.R. who is now preparing to fight James “The Mandingo Warrior” Kirkland on February 25, 2017 in Frisco, Texas.
Amanda Serrano is one of 2 fighting sisters. Cindy Serrano the older sister is also a world champ in her division, W.B.O. Featherweight Champ, who also serves as Amanda’s sparring partner in preparation for this title fight against Yazmin “La Rusita” Rivas, 35-9-1, 10 k.o.’s., a tough Mexican veteran, and also a former 3 times world champ herself.
“This fight is going to make history since it is another continued Mexican vs. Puerto Rican ring rivalry”, and will be televised on Showtime Extreme”, stated an excited Amanda Serrano who sometimes is called “The Real Deal”.
Champ Serrano further stated that she has trained very hard since she knows Rivas comes to fight a ‘ring war’ all of the time. “I am prepared to go the distance but if a knockout comes, I’ll take it”, she added with an impish smile.
3 other fights complete this exciting first fight card of the 2017 year in the new mecca of boxing.
The Barclays Center that will feature a racial mix of fighters from Poland, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Sweden, Gambia, Ukraine, and African-Americans from East Meadow, N.Y. & Baltimore, Maryland. This is Boxing’s United Nations in one exciting fight night in one arena thanks to Lou DiBella and Floyd Mayweather.
Black Star News gives the edge to south paw switch-hitter James Degale by unanimous decision against Badou Jack, and a knockout will be scored by hard hitting south paw Amanda Serrano over Yazmin Rivas around the 5th round.
My Black Star News readers, what is your opinion?
