There are a couple of captivating fights taking place today at the O2 Arena in London. The main attraction, the IBO World Super Middleweight Title, features the grudge match between James "Chunky" DeGale and Chris Eubank Jr. These guys don't seem to like one another, and a loss to either is a major career set back. The general feeling is that at 33 years of age, the best days of DeGale might just be behind him, but as he's fought at a higher level that Eubank, who took a 12 round flogging from George Groves, he ( DeGale) still might have the wood on the younger man. An interesting sidelight to the bout revolves around the fact that Eubank Jr. has finally ditched his father as an adviser. So the young bloke has a lot on the line. But so too does DeGale who seems pretty intent on not having his career derailed. He's called Eubank a "deluded moron" and added, "It’s all dawned on him – he’s finished. I promise you, he will get a schooling." According to The Guardian, he also stated, while addressing Eubank. "I am going to come out and give it to you properly. You can’t box Chris."
The other fight is the heavyweight clash between the power punching Joe Joyce and the former WBC World Heavyweight Champion, the now 39 year old, Bermane Stiverne. Richard Schaefer's Ringstar Sports are pulling out all stops to fast track the 33 year old Joyce who's had just the 7 professional bouts, winning all inside the distance. The man known as the Juggernaut stands 6' 6'' and has hands that hit like hammers. He looks a bit clunky, but all he wants to do is come forward and smash people. And it's doubtful that Stiverne can keep him away. Maybe in his prime Stiverne might have got the job done, but his first round pasting at the hands of Deontay Wilder was an absolute shocker. He was badly out of condition and was sent to the canvas three times before the ref said "That's all folks." And now he looks in even worse condition. He hasn't fought since that November 2017 mauling and has added and extra stone and a half to his already plentiful girth. One can't help but feel that he's being fed to a ravenous beast. This could be ugly.
