DeGale and Jack set up a Super-middle weight unification fight this past weekend in (possibly) Vegas, but as usual in boxing, there was controversy surrounding it.
DeGale once again got on the plane to the USA (Brook take note) and put his title on the line, hoping to secure the win and set up unification fight in the process.
He was able to do both, but he also managed to frustrate the boxing world with his lazy performance and really upset the crowd with his (apparent) lack of respect to his opponent.
DeGale’s opponent, Rogelio Medina, was never going to trouble him in anyway.
The Mexican was perfect for DeGale (typical come forward and walk through everything style) and should have been a short night’s work for the man from London.
Instead, Degale toyed with him, switched off and coasted through the rounds.
What really winds you up as a DeGale fan is that you know he could of easily put this guy (and many others) away, and showed us numerous times throughout the fight that he was capable of doing this.
Also, he upset the crowd with his childish behavior and lack of respect to his opponent.
Whether he has undone the good work winning over people in the US will remain to be seen, though the booing was loud and continued long after the fight.
The next headliner (Badou Jack vs Lucian Bute) on the night did have a controversial ending, but you could say that all the judges got it wrong.
(Highlights of Jack vs Bute via Showtime):
Before I jump into this, I must hold my hand high to Lucian Bute. This guy proved that he is still in the mix and that he has the heart of a lion.
He looked like he was finished by round 4, but he grit his teeth, bit down hard and looked like he could have finished off Jack.
I believe if he had one more round, he could of. At 36, he looks like he has a bit more left in him.
The fight ended in a draw, although I though Jack had won by 2 rounds, but one judge had Jack winning by 6 (rather astonishingly).
I would say the two who scored the draw had a better understanding of the fight than the other, but Jack won, and off this fight, must have sent DeGale’s confidence jumping through the roof.
Not to mentioned UK super-middleweight Callum Smith’s (who was at ringside).
At the end of the fight there was talk of an August/September fight in Vegas between DeGale and Jack. Hopefully this comes off.
With the super-middleweight division hotting up (especially for UK fighters) there could be another huge showdown in the UK come December.
What I would like to see is Smith gaining a title. I believe Hearn could get Giovanni De Carolis or Gilberto Ramirez to Liverpool for Smith, and then set up a huge winner takes all at the 02, potentially.
This of course is a long way down the line, and DeGale vs Jack might not happen, as Smith is the WBC no.1 mandatory at the moment.
Either way – the 168lbs division is hotting up for some tasty potential fights in 2016.
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