Chris Eubank Jr defeated fellow Englishman James DeGale by a points decision to settle their long-standing feud at the O2 Arena on Saturday night.
‘Food chain’
In a fight which was considered do or die for both fighters, Eubank Jr proved too strong for the two-time world champion, DeGale, knocking down his opponent twice en route to a 114-112 115-112 117-109 unanimous decision.
The win for the Brighton-based fighter means he secures the IBO Super-Middleweight title, and he made it clear after victory that he expects it to be the first of many:
“I’m back where I need to be – at the top of the food chain and now I’m coming for all the other belts in the super-middleweight division,” Eubank Jr, said after his victory.
Pressure Too Much For ‘Chunky’
The super-middleweight was under pressure to impress on his way to victory having been comfortably outclassed in his previous fight by the recently retired, George Groves.
This pressure seemed to spur the 29-year-old on as he quickly stamped his authority on proceedings.
Eubank, nicknamed ‘English’, stung DeGale with a left-hook halfway through the second round, and the resulting barrage of shots from him resulted in referee calling a mandatory eight count against the former IBF Super-Middleweight champion.
Encouraged by his impressive start to the fight, the Sussex-born fighter looked determined to end the fight early as a strong overhand right again wobbled DeGale late in the second round.
The sound of the bell in the second round did little to change the pattern of the fight as DeGale continued to take punishment throughout the third.
A strong right hand from Eubank Jr again wobbled his 33-year-old opponent and the notoriously strong counter-puncher was being out-countered by his younger adversary.
The middle rounds became a messy affair largely dictated by Eubank Jr’s determination to end the fight via knockout – epitomised by him lifting the Harlesden-based fighter off his feet in a move reminiscent of what we’d see in combat sports.
However, Eubank Jr showed a new and impressive patience to his repertoire later on in the fight with the DeGale effectively utilising his jab to score points with the judges.
DeGale To Retire?
It was this patience that allowed Eubank Jr to score a second knockdown in the 10th round. A crisp counter left-hook rocked DeGale, and a breathless, and rather chaotic, barrage of punches eventually resulted in the former world champion on the canvas again.
Knowing that only a knockout would result in a win for himself, DeGale tried to turn the remaining two rounds into more of a slugfest – which again resulted in DeGale on the canvas, although this time as a result of what can only be described as a dunk tackle by Eubank Jr.
Speaking after the fight to ITV Box Office, DeGale hinted we may have seen the last of him inside the ring:
“I left my mark in boxing.
I’ve done everything – Olympic gold, two world titles.”
Before the main event, there were encouraging victories for British fighters in an intriguing undercard at the 02.
Joyce Shines Again
Welshman, Lee Selby came through a gruelling contest which resulted in cuts under each eye to claim a unanimous points decision by a score of 116-112 116-112 115-114.
It was the first fight for 32-year-old at lightweight, and his first fight since losing his Featherweight world title to Josh Warrington.
Meanwhile, London-born Joe Joyce claimed his most impressive victory yet, as he defeated former WBC Heavyweight champion – and one of only two men to take knockout sensation Deontay Wilder to a judge’s decision – Bermane Stiverne via TKO in the sixth round.
The Rio 2016 silver medalist showed a great amount of punch volume and power, encapsulated by a powerful right hand in the third round which dropped Stiverne, with the Haitian-Canadian offering only durability in a one-sided contest.
