Degale can emulate Finnegan by Derek Statham Aug 22nd 2008

BABN's David Statham looks at James Degale's bid for Olympic glory... Hammersmith's amateur boxing hero James Degale has the opportunity of becoming the first British middleweight gold medallist for forty years. The 22-year-old advanced through to the Olympic final today, outscoring Ireland's Darren Sutherland (10-3) who never really got to grips with the taller man's lightning fast hit and move tactics. Degale, from Dale Youth Police Community Club, will now turn his attention to Saturday's bout where he has the chance to update the already impressive British boxing history books. Forty years ago, Britain's Chris Finnegan, from Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, represented Team GB at the 1968 Mexico City Olympic games. And the skilful southpaw walked away from the glorious surroundings with a gold medal in the 75kg (middleweight) category. Finnegan, who wasn't considered a great medal hope before the games, beat Yugoslavia's Mate Parlov and America's Al Jones before overcoming the tough Russian Alexei Kiselev in the final. Like fellow Brit Amir Khan four years ago, ‘Chunky' Degale faces a Cuban boxer in the final- Pan American champion Emilio Correa Bayeux (who sneaked past India's Vijender Kumar 8-5.) Former ABA champion Degale, who is confident going into the final bout, said "All the messages from home gave me the strength to do this. I'm so proud to be British and win a medal. "I was dreaming of this four weeks ago in Macau and now it's all coming true." If he can keep up his excellent form, Degale can exit the Olympic games the same way as fellow middleweight Chris Finnegan did forty years ago - as a gold medallist.

Go back Comment on this article | Send to a friend | Print

Please login before posting comments.

There are no comments. Click here to be the first who comment on this article.