ANDRE DIRRELL EAGER FOR REMATCH WITH JAMES DEGALE; WILLING TO TRAVEL TO UK: "I WANT THE REMATCH IN THE WORST WAY"
By Luis Sandoval | June 03, 2015
Andre Dirrell's fight with James DeGale a week ago didn't have the outcome he expected as he lost a close unanimous decision and his chance at capturing his first world title. He didn't let it go without putting up a valiant effort, however, as the Flint, Michigan native got off the canvas twice and fought his way back into the fight. Like most competitive fighters, Dirrell wants nothing more than to get a rematch with DeGale and a second crack at the title. Given how entertaining their first fight was, Dirrell thinks it makes sense to do it again and he's even willing to travel to DeGales's backyard in order to make the fight happen.
"I want it bad, and yes I am willing to travel overseas; 02 Arena or whatever arena he feels comfortable or he sees fit. It's a marketable fight. There is not one side of the audience that doesn't have one of the three opinions. There's not one that outweighs the other. Some are saying if I wouldn't have got knocked down, I would've won the fight. Some are saying because of the knockdowns, you lost the fight. And some are saying it was a close fight. It was just a good fight. Everybody enjoyed it," Dirrell explained to FightHype.com during a recent interview.
"I just want the rematch for his sake and mine to prove that he is top dog and me to get what I deserve because I believe in the rematch, the fight would be that much better. Pure point blank, rematches define a lot of fighters. And you can't say definitively, there's no solid definition in James DeGale and you can't say he's the champion and mean that with confidence. It would be a much better match if we did it again. No question about it. So I want the rematch in the worst way and yes I'm willing to go overseas to get it."
The fight was a close affair as two of the three judges scored it 114-112 for DeGale, with the third judge turning in a scorecard far too wide of 117-111. Now some might think it's easy for Dirrell to ask for a rematch, but would he grant DeGale the same if the shoe was on the other foot? Dirrell not only states he would've gladly given the Brit a second shot, but he'll give DeGale a shot to regain his title should he lose it in a rematch.
"After this fight, if they would've gave me the victory and he wanted a rematch, I would've gave him the rematch gladly. There's no question about it because I know this is a fight the fans would want to see again. It was a good fight. I'm not just talking out of my ass because I lost and want that title that bad. No, I would literally give him a rematch. If we have a rematch and I beat him, I will gladly give him a rematch again so we can settle the score. It's 1 to 1. We'd make the fight worth it the second time around, so the 3rd time, it would be no question. Wouldn't nobody else even be up for grabs and I'd give Degale the rematch instantly. No question about it," declared Dirrell.
Dirrell is fortunate enough to be in a division with plenty of options should the DeGale rematch not materialize for him, but he isn't even trying to entertain any of them at the moment. His sole focus is getting his revenge and bringing the IBF title back to America.
"I really don't want to speak [on other possible fights]. I don't want to speak it because that's the fight I really want and I want it in the worst way. If they don't give me a rematch, give me [Carl] Froch if I can't have James DeGale. We know that's unlikely as well, but truth of the matter is that if any one of those fighters made the fight happen, those would be big fights. Froch has been ducking me I feel this whole time and I feel I have more chance of getting him now than I did before because he sees I'm not the so-called runner that I was when I fought him the first time," said Dirrell.
"But James DeGale is the guy I'm eyeing for. I don't want to even talk about anyone else. Of course everyone else is out there and of course I want to fight them, but I just came off a loss, man, so I want that rematch. That championship means everything to me at this point. I want to see if he really earned it, point blank."
During our interview, Dirrell informed me he was parked outside the boxing gym and was going to put in a workout. The loss was definitely a hard pill to swallow, but Andre is now back to being focused and has a strong determination to make the rematch with DeGale a reality. It was an exciting affair between two former Olympic medalists and there was plenty of action and drama heading into the championship rounds. It's a fight plenty of boxing fans wouldn't mind seeing a second time.
Regardless of anything, Dirrell still gives DeGale his credit and remains a class act even in defeat as he takes nothing away from his opponent.
"James Degale is one hell of a fighter. I credit him 110%. He came over here and had the will to win to be a champion. He knew what he wanted and he came and got it. I want that chance to prove I feel the same way. I want that title and I'll prove how much I want it. If I have to go over to the UK, it's not a problem at all."
Only time will tell if these two end up meeting in the ring again this year, but Dirrell made it clear that even if they both veer on different paths and Dirrell becomes a champion by defeating someone else, he'll still want a shot at DeGale.
"If I'm champion and he's not, by the time I get my belt, I will gladly fight him again, and it'll be for my belt or belts. It doesn't matter."
Dirrell is back in the gym and will continue to press for a second fight.
http://www.fighthype.com/news/article20682.html
I think they should rematch as well.
I had it 114-112 for DeGale, but I gave Dirrell rounds 1, 3, 7, 8, 9, and 10 while giving DeGale rounds 2, 4, 5, 6, 11, and 12. Very close fight imo and I wouldnt mind a rematch and a possible trilogy if Dirrell wins.
By Luis Sandoval | June 03, 2015
Andre Dirrell's fight with James DeGale a week ago didn't have the outcome he expected as he lost a close unanimous decision and his chance at capturing his first world title. He didn't let it go without putting up a valiant effort, however, as the Flint, Michigan native got off the canvas twice and fought his way back into the fight. Like most competitive fighters, Dirrell wants nothing more than to get a rematch with DeGale and a second crack at the title. Given how entertaining their first fight was, Dirrell thinks it makes sense to do it again and he's even willing to travel to DeGales's backyard in order to make the fight happen.
"I want it bad, and yes I am willing to travel overseas; 02 Arena or whatever arena he feels comfortable or he sees fit. It's a marketable fight. There is not one side of the audience that doesn't have one of the three opinions. There's not one that outweighs the other. Some are saying if I wouldn't have got knocked down, I would've won the fight. Some are saying because of the knockdowns, you lost the fight. And some are saying it was a close fight. It was just a good fight. Everybody enjoyed it," Dirrell explained to FightHype.com during a recent interview.
"I just want the rematch for his sake and mine to prove that he is top dog and me to get what I deserve because I believe in the rematch, the fight would be that much better. Pure point blank, rematches define a lot of fighters. And you can't say definitively, there's no solid definition in James DeGale and you can't say he's the champion and mean that with confidence. It would be a much better match if we did it again. No question about it. So I want the rematch in the worst way and yes I'm willing to go overseas to get it."
The fight was a close affair as two of the three judges scored it 114-112 for DeGale, with the third judge turning in a scorecard far too wide of 117-111. Now some might think it's easy for Dirrell to ask for a rematch, but would he grant DeGale the same if the shoe was on the other foot? Dirrell not only states he would've gladly given the Brit a second shot, but he'll give DeGale a shot to regain his title should he lose it in a rematch.
"After this fight, if they would've gave me the victory and he wanted a rematch, I would've gave him the rematch gladly. There's no question about it because I know this is a fight the fans would want to see again. It was a good fight. I'm not just talking out of my ass because I lost and want that title that bad. No, I would literally give him a rematch. If we have a rematch and I beat him, I will gladly give him a rematch again so we can settle the score. It's 1 to 1. We'd make the fight worth it the second time around, so the 3rd time, it would be no question. Wouldn't nobody else even be up for grabs and I'd give Degale the rematch instantly. No question about it," declared Dirrell.
Dirrell is fortunate enough to be in a division with plenty of options should the DeGale rematch not materialize for him, but he isn't even trying to entertain any of them at the moment. His sole focus is getting his revenge and bringing the IBF title back to America.
"I really don't want to speak [on other possible fights]. I don't want to speak it because that's the fight I really want and I want it in the worst way. If they don't give me a rematch, give me [Carl] Froch if I can't have James DeGale. We know that's unlikely as well, but truth of the matter is that if any one of those fighters made the fight happen, those would be big fights. Froch has been ducking me I feel this whole time and I feel I have more chance of getting him now than I did before because he sees I'm not the so-called runner that I was when I fought him the first time," said Dirrell.
"But James DeGale is the guy I'm eyeing for. I don't want to even talk about anyone else. Of course everyone else is out there and of course I want to fight them, but I just came off a loss, man, so I want that rematch. That championship means everything to me at this point. I want to see if he really earned it, point blank."
During our interview, Dirrell informed me he was parked outside the boxing gym and was going to put in a workout. The loss was definitely a hard pill to swallow, but Andre is now back to being focused and has a strong determination to make the rematch with DeGale a reality. It was an exciting affair between two former Olympic medalists and there was plenty of action and drama heading into the championship rounds. It's a fight plenty of boxing fans wouldn't mind seeing a second time.
Regardless of anything, Dirrell still gives DeGale his credit and remains a class act even in defeat as he takes nothing away from his opponent.
"James Degale is one hell of a fighter. I credit him 110%. He came over here and had the will to win to be a champion. He knew what he wanted and he came and got it. I want that chance to prove I feel the same way. I want that title and I'll prove how much I want it. If I have to go over to the UK, it's not a problem at all."
Only time will tell if these two end up meeting in the ring again this year, but Dirrell made it clear that even if they both veer on different paths and Dirrell becomes a champion by defeating someone else, he'll still want a shot at DeGale.
"If I'm champion and he's not, by the time I get my belt, I will gladly fight him again, and it'll be for my belt or belts. It doesn't matter."
Dirrell is back in the gym and will continue to press for a second fight.
http://www.fighthype.com/news/article20682.html
I think they should rematch as well.
I had it 114-112 for DeGale, but I gave Dirrell rounds 1, 3, 7, 8, 9, and 10 while giving DeGale rounds 2, 4, 5, 6, 11, and 12. Very close fight imo and I wouldnt mind a rematch and a possible trilogy if Dirrell wins.
