Not too many people thought James DeGale would become middleweight champion at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.Bookies were offering odds of 80-1 on the southpaw from northwestLondon, who as a chubby ten-year-old earned the unflattering nickname ‘Chunky’. But thanks to his natural speed, power and burgeoning tactical skills, DeGale was able to see off all his opponents, including tough Cuban Emilio Correa in the final.
DeGale went pro in December 2008 and has fought six times since, winning every bout. In his most recent fight, against Matthew Barr in February, he put in a scintillating performance, twice knocking down the far more experienced Barr before the ref stopped the match.
His improvement is due to the power, speed and agility he’s developed in the gym with his trainer Jim McDonnell. ‘Jim sees hardcore fitness as a crucial weapon in a boxer’s arsenal,’ says DeGale. ‘He was a successful boxer, so he’s been able to improve my technique too.’
‘In heavy training, James trains two or three times a day, six days a week,’ says McDonnell. ‘He has that rare willpower you need if you’re going to become a world champion.’ Indeed, DeGale is convinced he’ll have a major belt by 2013.
‘Thefirst thing we need to do is get his fitness to a high enough levelthat he can keep throwing powerful punches and moving well for 12rounds,’ says McDonnell. ‘He’s been fighting six-round bouts, but he’ll fight over 12 for the first time in May.’
Tobe a successful boxer, you need to be strong, explosive and have enoughstamina to keep throwing hard, accurate shots until the end of a fight.Even the shorter six-round bouts DeGale currently fights in canseem like a marathon, particularly if you throw the high volume ofpunches he does. That’s why, during heavy training, he regularly goeson runs of up to 12km as well as doing middle-distance track work.
Inthe gym his training is all about short, sharp movements that develophis co-ordination, reaction speeds and explosive strength. ‘We don’tneed fancy equipment or heavy weights,’ says DeGale. ‘We uselow-weight strength-building moves, old-school gym kit and lots ofpartner-based exercise to help me build the power, speed and agility Ineed to smash
my opponents.’
Want more boxing workouts? Then check out the ones Carl Froch and David Haye did for us.
