SportingLife:

DeGale wary of King

James DeGale will look to carry on his devastating run of KO performances against granite-jawed Welshman Nathan King in Newcastle.

DeGale, who won Olympic gold in Beijing last year, has won his last three fights by stoppage and is eying his first title fight in 2010.

But first he has to past King in a six rounder at the Metro Radio Arena on December 5th, where he will form part of the under-card to Amir Khan's WBA World Light-Welterweight title defence against Dimitry Salita.

And hot-shot DeGale, still only 23, has vowed to become only the third man to stop King, who has kept good company.

"He's going to be dangerous because he's fought for titles before, including a version of the world super-middleweight crown," said DeGale.

"The only people who have stopped him are (former British champion) Tony Quigley and (world-rated Frenchman) Jean Paul Mendy so that tells you that he's going to be tough.

"If I can do a number on him then it is going to send out a big statement to the domestic division.

"Back in March he fought Kenny Anderson up in Scotland for the Celtic title and I thought he won that fight quite easily, but he lost it on the scorecards.

"This is the kind of fight I need though right now in my career.

"I'm really buzzing in the gym at the moment and I want a challenge because I feel like I'm getting better every day.

"People have only seen about 10 per cent of what I can do at the moment."

King - a 28-year-old from Mountain Ash - won't be fazed by facing DeGale as for years he worked with Joe Calzaghe.

And he's also gone the distance with the likes of Tony Oakey, Tony Dodson, Stevie McGuire, Eric Teymour and Anderson.

"James is a great talent but I'll be far too experienced for him," said King. "He's still a baby in the pros and I'll give him a lesson he won't forget."

Nathan King is a good test for him at this stage, saw him a few times & he's one tough guy who never gives anyone an easy night so will be good to see how DeGale handles him.

Nathan King is only 28yrs old? Seems like a blast from the past. Is he 'The Sting'?, or am thinking of someone else?

You thinking of Nathan Sting the Aussie guy?

I'd hardly call King granite jawed, ok he has only been stopped twice but those two stoppages have come in his last 3 fights which to me shows he has found that when he steps up he cant quite cut it.

It also then goes on about him lasting the distance with a few names, ok well lets look at their KO rate:

Oakey 25%
Dodson 40%
McGuire 25%
Teymour 45%
Anderson 70%

So bar Anderson I dont think any of them hit hard.

So granite jaw no, good opponent for a 5th fight yes.

Yes, Yes I am. Please excuse me, I seem to be having a bit of moment. I'm thinking aloud