GB Boxers Go Pro After Slamming Aba
Three Olympic boxers, including middleweight gold-medallist James DeGale, have decided to turn professional after slamming the Amateur Boxing Association for not providing necessary support.
DeGale joined Billy Joe Saunders and Frankie Gavin in criticising the ABA for not keeping promises following this year’s Olympics.
DeGale had been a leading hope for a GB boxing medal if he had stayed amateur until London 2012. But the boxer has gone professional after claiming his requests for improved financial incentives from the ABA had gone unanswered.
DeGale reportedly called the ABA ‘hopeless,’ claiming that he received no bonus for winning an Olympic medal, nor did Team GB get new kit for the World Championships last year.
Gavin, too, has stated financial promises made by the boxing governing body have gone unfulfilled. He was allegedly only given a financial bonus when he had threatened to turn professional.
His threat has now developed into a reality, as DeGale joins Saunders and Gavin under Atlantic City-based promoter Frank Warren. The three are to appear in at least six shows a year starting in February across the UK, with Warren acting as manager and promoter.
ABA of England’s chief executive, Paul King, has reportedly rejected DeGale’s criticisms of the governing body, claiming he spoke to the boxer about possible sponsorship opportunities.
