DeGale will stay Ama if Edwards stays despite £1m Pro offer

Boxing Banter News · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 1935 Location: BoxingBanter.com

Gold medalist, James DeGale has revealed to Setanta
Sports that his future with Team Great Britain is directly
linked with that of coach Terry Edwards.

DeGale: "It's hard to say no to a million pounds but if they come
to me with a sensible offer, and Terry is OK, well that could be me
signing for four years and going into the next Olympics."

”I could be a little superstar in amateur boxing – and I could earn
some decent dough. Winning another gold medal in 2012 in my home
city - imagine that - and to be the face of the London Olympics would
be unbelievable."

”Deep in my heart, I think, 'London, 2012, that's me. If Terry stays,
that's me'. I think he could keep four or five of us from the Beijing
team."

- 25th August 2008',

A Minor Funk · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 2136

translation:
I know I'm going to get sparked in the pro game with my lack of defense ?

Dr_Esteban · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 1509 Location: On the Train

The only thing that puzzles me about this is that he is effectively a professional amateur boxer

tweetstreet · Joined: 08 Feb 2006 Posts: 1131 Location: Pembroke Dock

Dr_Esteban wrote: The only thing that puzzles me about this is that he is effectively a professional amateur boxer

yeah i agree, they are on a wage aren't they? £25,000 a year or something like that.

Question is what is more important to you an olympic gold (which degale already has so why wait another 4 years just to contest another 1) or a pro world title?

Hooch · Joined: 14 Feb 2007 Posts: 595 Location: Cardiff, Wales

I'm sure i read someware that Frankie Gavin is on something like 70k a year so De Gale will prob be on that or more if he stays amateur.

For a 22 year old who has just won an olympic gold to be undecided wether to turn pro or not, says to me he aint got what it takes to make it. He would not just have a nice signing fee on turning over but will prob have his pick of the worlds top trainers and locations to train in, feck London 2012 which he could be injured or not even qualify for anyway, if boxing is your sport you dream of winning belts not medals.

Cant see how a 26 year old boxer will be the face of an olympics either, unless the games were in Cuba. Mind you if the British fighters in London have the same bias as the Chinese in Beijing all he has to do is last the distance and the gold is in the bag.

I'd be more disapointed if it was Gavin or either Saunders staying on though, De Gale has an unatractive style and seems a bit of a tool.

Limiescouse · Joined: 04 Feb 2006 Posts: 9185 Location: Orlando, FL

That figure has been banded about, but it is incorrect to say that is his wage. His stipend was around 20K (still bloody good) with the remaining money being spent on facilities/coaches/travel etc.

Dr_Esteban · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 1509 Location: On the Train

Limiescouse wrote: That figure has been banded about, but it is incorrect to say that is his wage. His stipend was around 20K (still bloody good) with the remaining money being spent on facilities/coaches/travel etc.

imo it just feels wrong and fits in with the idea the ama boxing is basically now a totally different sport from the pro game.

Hooch · Joined: 14 Feb 2007 Posts: 595 Location: Cardiff, Wales

Limiescouse wrote: That figure has been banded about, but it is incorrect to say that is his wage. His stipend was around 20K (still bloody good) with the remaining money being spent on facilities/coaches/travel etc.

Yeh that would make more sense, mind you if all his training, food, competition and accomodation is free that means the 20k is purely disposable - no wonder Gavin couldn't make weight with all that money for pies.

Barlick · Joined: 01 Jul 2006 Posts: 3073

Hooch wrote: Limiescouse wrote: That figure has been banded about, but it is incorrect to say that is his wage. His stipend was around 20K (still bloody good) with the remaining money being spent on facilities/coaches/travel etc.

Yeh that would make more sense, mind you if all his training, food, competition and accomodation is free that means the 20k is purely disposable - no wonder Gavin couldn't make weight with all that money for pies.

How does it work with the amateurs? I mean, can they rake it in with endorsements, sponsorships, advertising contracts, etc.?

If they can, I can easily understand why Degale might prefer to stay right where he is - far, far away from the Abrahams and Pavliks of this world.

Martin · Posted: August 26 2008, 11:22 AM Post subject:

£20,000 per year is really really crap next to the £1,000,000 offer he's been given to turn professional.

There's no decision to make, imo.

Strike while the iron's hot.

BringThePain · Joined: 19 Oct 2005 Posts: 5525

I think he's talking bollocks, he's just waiting a few days to announce his pro deal, doesn't want to blow the am's out straight away

Gareth · Joined: 27 Jan 2007 Posts: 2774 Location: Belfast

He hasnt mentioned a definate million pound deal, he says it is hard to say no to one. Is he just talking this up? or has he not got what it takes to be a pro fighter, does me maybe not want to live the pro lifestyle etc. I think he might be happy to stay AMa get his £25K a year and then make a nice profit to invest etc off sponsorship and endorsements etc, there could be million £ deals just to stick he name against CNP of something like that.

I dont think he'll be much or a Pro fighter anyway and personally think he would be better off as an AMA fighter, trying to be the face of London 2012 and retiring on the back of that and going into coaching etc.

Limiescouse · Joined: 04 Feb 2006 Posts: 9185 Location: Orlando, FL

I didnt think you were allowed endorsement deals as an ama?

Gareth · Joined: 27 Jan 2007 Posts: 2774 Location: Belfast

Limiescouse wrote: I didnt think you were allowed endorsement deals as an ama?

You must be, aren't there 2 brothers one Ama and one Pro (possibly Macklins) doing the CNp at the minute ?

BringThePain · Joined: 19 Oct 2005 Posts: 5525

It might be the Murray brothers your thinking of Gareth (could be both, Ive seen Joe Murray doing the CNP ting)