James DeGale retained his IBF World super-middleweight title on the road this evening in Quebec City, Canada, defeating former world champion Lucian Bute in a grueling, action-packed affair to close out a huge night of boxing on Saturday.
The judges awarded DeGale with a unanimous decision on scores of 116-112 and 117-111 2x.
DeGale controlled the first three rounds with an obscene punch output, beautiful combinations, and precise shots on the inside.
In the fourth round, DeGale was cut on the left eye from an accidental head-butt and Bute went on the attack.
Bute, originally from Romania, has fought a majority of his fights in Canada, and the crowd jumped on the opportunity to encourage their man to come from behind.
He bravely took more opportunities and tagged DeGale with short right hands to the face, and the occasional one-two combination.
However, DeGale took a step back and began to mount his own resurgence with a left hook and several flurries.
DeGale (22-1, 14 KO’s) concluded the sixth round by dancing on the outside as Bute continued to stalk him.
The crowd did not take much of a liking to it and booed DeGale as he took a seat on his stool.
The seventh round was all Bute as he scored with a right uppercut, trapping DeGale against the ropes, and doing some respectable work downstairs.
But Bute (32-3, 25 KO’s) was unable to maintain consistent momentum DeGale went back to boxing school, landing with a few shots and gingerly dancing around the ring with a determined Bute in his tracks.
The 10th and 11th rounds were stolen by Bute with an impressive display of punching power.
In a close 12th round, it could have gone to either man.
DeGale got the better of the exchanges in the first half of the round while Bute valorously charged forward to try and score the upset.
It was simply not enough to get the job done.
Following the fight, DeGale promised the Canadian fans that Bute would someday return to his glory days as a world champion.
“I said Lucian Bute is a world-class fighter. I’m young, fresh, and peaking now, but all credit to him. He’s a champion and please, believe me; he will be back,” DeGale said.
“I think my defense was alright – I still have to work on some things. The next three or four years, that’s when I’ll be at my best.”
Meanwhile, Bute was classy in defeat.
“He is an Olympic world champion, a world champion. The judges gave him the decision. I respect that,” Bute added.
– Ryan O’Hara @OHaraSports
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