Badou Jack on George Groves, James DeGale and Adonis Stevenson

By John Dennen

BADOU JACK is waiting for a rematch after he drew with Adonis Stevenson. Jack admits that the WBC light-heavyweight champion is biggest hitter he’s ever faced but maintains that Stevenson did not hurt him.

“Everyone has got different styles so it’s kind of hard to compare. In terms of biggest puncher – it would be Adonis Stevenson,” he said. “He didn’t hurt me at all apart from one body shot which was a little low. He caught me with a good shot.

“His left hand was nothing crazy but he’s got two hands. People only ever talk about his left but he had a pretty good right hand too. I took his power no problem but he’s a strong guy.”

Jack has taken on the best at super-middleweight, beating George Groves and drawing with James DeGale.

“Someone today asked me who was toughest out of DeGale and Groves – they’re about the same,” Badou said.

He’s not writing DeGale off but says, “Boxing is the hurt business and you have to live the right life, he has been in some tough fights but he showed a lot of heart, he is a warrior. You might have seen the best of him but he might come back strong.”

He does however tip Groves to win the World Boxing Super Series. “I’ve only seen Callum Smith fight for a couple of rounds, in the [Erik] Skoglund fight. Groves has been on the higher level obviously. I know how I beat him – his defensive skills aren’t his best and his inside game too – but that doesn’t mean he’s bad. Maybe I’m just better. It was a competitive, close fight but I felt like I controlled him and won. Groves is a tough guy and I believe he will win the tournament, I’m supporting him,” Jack said.