James DeGale won the vacant IBF World super middleweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Andre Dirrell in Boston.
The bout got off to a rather surprising start as the Brit exploded into the fight. A tense start was expected by many in what was always going to be a tight contest overall; but in the second round it looked like DeGale may even be able to clinch an early KO. DeGale was cut by a left from Dirrell but responded by knocking Dirrell down with a thumping left hook and as soon as the referee waved the two back together DeGale jumped on him, knocking him down again. It took the sound of the bell to save Dirrell from lightning striking three times in a row.
In the fourth round the fight shifted into no mans land, DeGale wasn't as lively or landing as many punches. This trend continued into the 11th round, where Dirrell kept growing in confidence, which was evident in that he was now taking punches of the power that had floored him earlier but now reacted with shakes of the head and a grin. DeGale managed to look more convincing in the final two rounds, something that was pivotal to him maintaining his lead from earlier in the fight. Two judges scored it as expected, quite close, whilst another scored it by some distance, bizarrely. Regardless, James DeGale was announced as the new IBF World super middleweight champion, making British boxing history in the process.
DeGale speaking to PBC post-fight said; "I'm speechless, my whole career, what I've been building up to is a world title...Lets not forget, he's a very good opponent. he's very, very talented." He also touched on the future ahead, "I'm back now I'm injury free I'll take on any super middleweight in the world...There's no other super middleweight who would beat me."
Also on the card Edwin Rodriguez was talked up regarding his chances in the light heavyweight division. But, this fight will not do him any favours at all. It wasn't a dominating display and he let the fairly unknown quantity in Craig Baker land an awful lot of punches. The first round was a far cry from that overview though, Rodriguez was switching between body and head shots at will, just trying to tee Baker up for that finishing punch. With the KO not coming in the first round many thought the stoppage would come early in the second round instead. However, Baker came out like an entirely different boxer; he was taking the punches thrown by Rodriguez now, as well as throwing his own, landing a lot of them whilst he was at it.
The third round was where it ended though; Baker again came out of his corner looking strong and determined, although he was caught with a right hook which was the first shot to hit him flush on the chin. After being backed into the ropes, Rodriguez unleashed a flurry of wild punches - although little to none were landing cleanly. Baker looked comfortable during the exchange but as soon as one punch got through the defence, the referee stepped in and called it. Baker, was left looking dumbfounded and he was definitely fine in there. But, when you're not throwing any punches back whatsoever whilst your opponent unleashes a flurry of combinations, you leave the referee with little choice to step in.
Talking to PBC post-fight, Rodriguez said; "I wouldn’t say it was easy, this guy was tough." and of the somewhat premature stoppage; "I was a little surprised, but I knew at the end it was going to be the same result."
Another fight for Gary 'Spike' O'Sullivan brought about an ever growing-familiar feeling as he knocked down Melvin Betancourt twice in the second round. In the first it was clear that O'Sullivan was hunting for the power punches, opting to allow Betancourt to pepper him with jabs and hooks, most of which were met by a tight-knit guard - before unleashing with power punches, all of which rocked Betancourt. In the second round a flurry of punches rocked Betancourt before he was caught with a flush punch which sent him to the canvas. After getting up it didn't take O'Sullivan long to pick off Betancourt for the second time; a quick left hook finishing proceedings. The forearm hook connected with Betancourt's head, sending him down and out for the count before he'd even hit the canvas. Cue a jig from the Irishman, who will surely start to get the big name fighters he desires.