A lengthy war of words between rival British super middleweights came to a decisive end Saturday, as Chris Eubank Jr. earned a career-defining victory with a hard-fought unanimous decision over former two-time world champion James DeGale in a grudge match at The O2 in London.
Eubank, the son of British boxing legend and former two-division world champion Chris Eubank Sr., floored DeGale twice en route to the clear decision, which was scored 114-112, 115-112, 117-109.
“There was a lot of animosity leading to this fight," said Eubank. "I told him, ‘This is my time,’ and it was. He’s a veteran of the game, he throws big shots and he manages to stay up. To get up after those knockdowns is a statement about his tenacity and the type of fighter he is.”
Working in his first bout with a full-time trainer, Eubank fought a controlled fight. Eubank floored DeGale in a rough sequence in the second, stunning his rival with a big left hook against the ropes and dropping him moments later with a strong right cross that sent DeGale to the canvas for just the second time of his career.
“I definitely didn’t do enough,” DeGale said. “He was on it and I didn’t do enough. You have to do more than enough to counter someone that came forward like Chris."
DeGale, a skilled southpaw, was inconsistent with his jab and had difficulty handling Eubank's pressure. As such, he resorted to lunging from the outside and was largely ineffective on the inside, often clinching while in close quarters.
“I knew he was going to come at me like that,” Eubank said. “He’s a slick southpaw, but my game plan worked. Smart pressure and not getting too ahead of myself. He’s a hell of a fighter, hell of a competitor, but at the end of the day my head and my heart won this fight.”
The second knockdown came in the 10th as Eubank landed a powerful left hook that buckled DeGale with just 30 seconds left in the round. Once again, DeGale tried to clinch to avoid the knockdown, but his hand touched the canvas and was ruled just the third knockdown of his career.
DeGale, the first British fighter to earn an Olympic Gold Medal and a world championship, appeared to be leaning toward retirement after the fight.
“I’m going to go back and talk to my team, my family, and decide," said DeGale. "I left my mark in boxing. I won an Olympic Medal, two world titles, and it may be the time to hang it up.”
While DeGale contemplates retirement, Eubank has his sights set on another shot at a world title.
“This was the most important fight of my career, and I made a statement," said Eubank. "I’m back where I’m supposed to be, at the top of the food chain. I’m coming for all the belts in the middleweight and super middleweight division. I’m fighting everyone they put in front of me."
In the undercard, undefeated heavyweight Joe Joyce kept his knockout record intact with a sixth-round TKO of former heavyweight world champion Bermane Stiverne.
After an exciting first round, Joyce opened up the action in the second with a monstrous straight right and unloaded from bell to bell against a defenseless Stiverne, who continued to punch back despite eating damaging shots.
“Big respect to Stiverne – like a true champion, he’s very tough and was still throwing shots, but I guess I was just a bit too much,” Joyce said. “It was about being patient. He’s such a tough guy that he took those shots no problem."
After a series of combos in the opening minute of the third, Joyce caught Stiverne with a straight right hand to send him to the canvas for the fifth time in his professional career. Stiverne survived the round while throwing looping shots but failed to return any meaningful punches.
Joyce, the 2016 Olympic Silver Medalist, consistently set up a powerful straight right behind an accurate and effective left jab throughout the fight. With Joyce (8-0, 8 KOs) continuing to tee off against a largely defenseless Stiverne, referee Howard Foster stepped in to halt the contest at 2:26 of the sixth. Stiverne (25-4-1, 21 KOs) did not protest the stoppage.
“I was hitting him with everything I had, including the kitchen sink," Joyce said. "I listened to Abel (Sanchez) in the corner, did everything he said and it went well. My jab was really effective. I’m a seasoned vet. I picked up my poise and remained calm along the way."
Highlights of former world champion Lee Selby’s lightweight debut were featured during Saturday’s Showtime telecast. A former champion at featherweight, Selby (27-2, 9 KOs) overcame a second round accidental head butt to win a 12-round unanimous decision (116-112, 116-112, 115-114) over Omar Douglas (19-3, 13 KOs).
By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services
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