Former British Boxing Champion, 39, Shocked by Backlash Following Candid Interview on ADHD and Autism Challenges
JAMES DeGALE felt devastated after boxing fans criticized him post-interview, despite his incredible journey overcoming ADHD and autism to achieve champion status.
After being out of the spotlight for six years, the British boxer made a rare appearance on talkSPORT earlier this month.
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DeGale decided to come back into the spotlight after turning down several media inquiries regarding the milestones of his 2008 Olympic gold medal and two super-middleweight world titles.
The southpaw, known as Chunky, struggled to handle the return of public attention after years away from it.
Nevertheless, the harsh feedback from social media proved to be even more challenging, as many wrongly assume athletes are immune to difficulties.
While training at The Trenches gym in Wandsworth, south London, ahead of his bare-knuckle boxing debut on Saturday, the 39-year-old DeGale stated, “My mouth was a bit dry.
“It was my first interview in a long time. The comments I saw were shockingly harsh—accusing me of being punch-drunk and implying I was slurring my words or on drugs.
“If you watch my initial interviews as a pro, you’d realize I was never known for being particularly articulate. I’m a bit different.
“I have ADHD, I’m somewhat autistic, and I’m dyslexic.
“So I’m advocating for those who are unique. This really struck a chord with me, and people can be incredibly unforgiving.
“There’s also the mental health concern. Why do some feel entitled to demean others?”
DeGale, back in the news due to an upcoming Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship match in Manchester, made history as the first British boxer to win an Olympic gold medal and a world title.
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Since then, only Anthony Joshua has mirrored his achievements.
Despite his remarkable accomplishments both as an amateur and a professional, DeGale has not garnered the same level of recognition and admiration as Manchester boxing icon Ricky Hatton.
He was notably affected when his mother shared the tragic news of Hatton’s passing ten days ago.
Recounting the moment, he said, “It felt like I knew him more than I actually did; I followed him on Instagram and occasionally chatted with him.
“Hearing that news was heart-wrenching. I was returning from training when my mum called me, upset.
“In that instant, my heart sank—it was devastating. He was a true champion, the people’s champion.
“I remember being part of the Team GB squad and watching his fight nights together—he was the greatest, and there won’t be another like him in British boxing.”
DeGale stepped away from the ring in February 2019 at the age of 32 after experiencing a tough defeat to Chris Eubank Jr at London’s O2 arena, where his waning physical condition was as much of a challenge as his opponents.
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Fortunately, his parents were astute in managing his investments.
This foresight has helped him avoid the common pitfalls that often befall retired boxers.
DeGale considers himself fortunate and hopes that the news of Hatton’s passing will drive the sport to enact important reforms to support retired athletes better.
Despite the admirable efforts of the Ringside Charitable Trust, resources for fighters like Hatton are limited, and Chunky is pushing for change.
He expressed, “Boxers require proper care.
“After committing their lives to boxing and taking numerous hits to the head, we face risks of CTE and other emerging issues.
“Then there’s the emotional impact of no longer being in the spotlight.”
“An organization should exist to provide support; other sports have established such systems. We have nothing.”
“After we retire, we must tackle these challenges alone, and I genuinely empathize with Ricky.”