James DeGale - Arrogant? No. Confident? Yes. Champion? Maybe.

Sporting greats all share a common denominator. Some misinterpret it as arrogance and abhor their vital ingredient for success. The conviction of invincibility with few exceptions tends to repel an audience who are itching for defeat to come their way. It`s a notion built on a philosophy that a setback may just deplete them of some if not all of their swagger. However, the archives are bursting with achievers whose natural ability coupled together with supreme confidence still turned them from contender to champion despite in some cases facing numerous personal obstacles.

Success breeds confidence while failure can rob one of hope. Many days and nights of victory can be quickly forgotten when your hand isn`t raised at the conclusion of competition.

Both James DeGale and David Haye have recently experienced setbacks that could be enough to break a lesser man's spirit. Niether of them takes defeat well and furthermore it came at the worst time possible, on their biggest professional nights to date and against their bitter rivals George Groves and Wladimir Klitschko who took their respective British and world titles.

DeGale had frequently taunted and promised to knock out Groves while Haye infamously displayed Wladimir's chopped off head on a t-shirt.

While some (including myself) scored Degale as the winner in May, the judges voted for Groves who was roared on all night by an army of fans. Degale hadn’t only lost his domestic super-middleweight crown but had to bear the wrath of booing fans angry at his pre-fight personal attacks on Groves’ features.

Ironically, Groves is part of the Hayemaker team who are coming to terms with the loss of their WBA title and have since faced fierce public criticism and a media lashing. Likewise, 25 year-old DeGale has been criticised and there has already been calls for him to leave his fanatically fit trainer Jim McDonnell in search of a more tactically astute coach. But DeGale and McDonnell refuse to accept they were beaten by the better man on the night, feeling a three point decision in their favour was the deserved verdict.

Keen to stay on course for a possible shot at the world title next year, DeGale's next fight is a challenge for the European title against recent claimant Piotr Wilczewski. The bout, scheduled for September 17th, will see 2008 Olympic champion DeGale (10-1) face the 32 year-old WBO number three Pole who with just a sole defeat in 30 fights has had almost three times more contests.

It could be a risky assignment against a sturdy and experienced champion who captured the vacant belt in his last outing with an 11th round stoppage over Amin Asikainen. But he can take heart from the success of fellow Brit Amir Khan who bagged a world title just three fights after being destroyed in less than a round by Breidis Prescott.

Khan dusted himself off, linked up with acclaimed trainer Freddie Roach and his confidence was not only restored but immensely improved even in the knowledge many were waiting in the background hoping to see him knocked out again.

There has been the suggestion that Groves' camp were planning a counter offer to fight Wilczewski with the knowledge DeGale will become the mandatory challenger for Groves' British championship which means the two rivals could meet again by the end of this year. The confidence DeGale has evidently radiated so far if still embedded will now be the stimulus for success once again. DeGale has always maintained ‘If you don`t believe in yourself then who is going to believe in you?’ However, he faces the daunting prospect of winning back the heart of British fans distanced by his perceived arrogance and a race to surpass Groves by bagging a world title first.

Added to that, he campaigns in a highly talented division which boasts British WBC champion Carl Froch, Super Six favourite and WBA ruler Andre Ward, undefeated IBF boss Lucian Bute and former three time champion Mikkel Kessler. Anything less than an impressive performance and result against Wilczewski could seriously damage his aspirations of future bouts with the 12st elite.

His trainer McDonnell has regularly predicted to me that James will become the greatest boxer in British history and if he is to be proved right Degale should become at least a European champion. Just how good he turns out to be will only become clearer when he steps inside the ring with world class opposition which should happen within his next three fights.

Although he is highly gifted with his fists, some may forever judge him for being somewhat over boisterous under the bright lights.  'Chunky' does need to mature and temper himself when the cameras and microphones get up close because unless you have met him in person it's understandable why punters get the wrong impression.

Having been in his company before and after his Olympic glory I`ve witnessed his genuine warmth, dedication and his love for publicity.

Confident? Yes.

Arrogant? No.

Champion? Maybe!