Boxer Degale devours hungry Cuban to taste gold for Britain

James Degale survived a frantic late assault by Cuban Emilio Correa to claim Olympic middleweight gold at the Workers' Stadium.



The 22-year-old Londoner had eased into an 11-5 lead at the half-way stage but was lured into a street-fight by his experienced foe in the final minutes.

On target: James Degale lands a shot during his gold medal winning bout

Correa had reduced the deficit to just two points heading into a nail-biting final minutes but Degale hung on to score a thrilling 16-14 success.

Degale said: "All the boxing greats have won it - Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard - and now that's me. I have won Olympic gold and made history, and it feels unbelievable.

"It's hard to say no to a million pounds, but if they come with something sensible I could be a superstar in amateur boxing. Just imagine winning another gold medal in 2012 in my home city.

Tactics: Degale avoids a right hook and winds up to counter

"To be the face of 2012 would be unbelievable. I'm going to have a glass of champagne and enjoy my gold medal then get back in the ring because that's my life. In four years' time, there will never be anyone as good as me."

Having dazzled his way to the Olympic final, Degale started in similar style and led 6-1 after the first round, including a two-point penalty for the Cuban, whom the Londoner later accused at the post-fight press conference, exhibiting the apparent evidence, of biting his chest.

Attack: Degale gets through with a jab

"He bit me," insisted Degale. "I was flowing nicely and boxing southpaw and I got into a 4-1 lead, then he got me in a little hold and bit my chest. I could feel those long teeth through his gumshield."

It was more of the same in the second, after which Degale led 9-4, but as the Cuban, who had the support of the Chinese crowd, became more desperate, he succeeded in luring Degale into an unseemly brawl which often bore more resemblance to a wrestling match.

It was anything but the boring fight Degale had promised in his bid to claim Olympic gold. The Cuban's persistent big, crude swings cut his lead to 11-8 in a round which also saw the Londoner penalised two points for holding.

It set up a frantic climax with Correa pursuing Degale around the ring and the pair exchanging a series of shots that just about managed to maintain the slim lead for Degale, who sank to his knees in delight at the final bell.

"I felt cool in there but it was for Olympic gold and I wanted it to be over," added Degale. "It was disrespectful at the end with the crowd booing. Those people didn't have a clue and it wasn't right.

"In my fights I've shown bits of what I can do but there's probably 40 per cent left. I did it the hard way. When I saw the draw I thought it would be hard but I got better and better and I believed.

"In my first fights I didn't really get out of first gear, but tonight I just wanted to get it over and done with because of the pressure. If it had been anything else, I could have relaxed a bit more."

In control: Degale pegs back the Cuban

Now Degale will challenge the Amateur Boxing Association and UK Sport to involve private sponsorship and come up with the kind of package he needs to resist the lure of professionalism and look towards his dream of London.

"It's only for the last four months I've been on £1500 per month. By the time I pay my car and my bills at home, I'm left with nothing really," said Degale. "Now I'm the gold medallist, they're going to have to come up with something sensible."

Victory was particularly sweet for head coach Terry Edwards, who, with David Price and Tony Jeffries also snaring bronze, has presided over a successful Games despite apparent attempts to discredit him back home.

"All the rubbish Terry has been getting at home is not nice," added Degale. "He's like a dad to us and he doesn't need that stuff in his life. He's produced three medals and we haven't had that in 60 years. It's pathetic."

Edwards will return home next week to fight for his job but insists recent events have made him more determined than ever not to walk away and hopes Degale's success will secure funding for an even greater medal push in 2012.

"People around Britain will have been watching that and hopefully now the profile of the sport has been raised," said Edwards. "If we can keep that funding in place and secure more sponsorship, I believe in 2012 we can be the new Cuba.

"I don't know what more they want from me. One thing's for certain, if I were to go forward for the next four years I wouldn't put up with the crap I've had to put up with for the last four years, that is for sure."

