DeGale defeats Medina, Jack draws with Bute
IBF super middleweight champion James DeGale (23-1, 14 KOs) defeated mandatory challenger Rogelio Medina (36-7, 30 KOs) by unanimous decision on Saturday night at the DC Armory in Washington DC.
In a grueling fight, DeGale used his speed, skills and accurate punching to win by scores of 115-113, 117-111 and 116-112.
DeGale landed well to head and body in the first couple of rounds but Medina came back in rounds 3 and 4, unleashing some solid shots that seemed to briefly rock DeGale.
In the following rounds, the Mexican challenger continued to charge forward and pile on the punches before DeGale spun away each time and come back with his own shots.
DeGale had some swelling on his right cheek from taking heavy shots as Medina kept coming and never stopped throwing punches.
The Briton seemed to give away some of the later rounds because he stayed on the ropes too long while Medina teed off, but DeGale put in more work to win the final round.
Also on the card, WBC super middleweight champion Badou Jack (21-1-1, 12 KOs) fought former IBF champion Lucian Bute (32-4, 25 KOs) to a 12 round majority draw.
Romanian-born Bute, who resides in Quebec, started well and landed some good shots early on, but Jack dominated the following rounds with his jab.
Sweden-born Jack, who resides in Las Vegas, landed to Bute’s head and body, but seemed to tire and Bute rallied late in the fight.
Two judges scored the fight 114-114, while the third judge had it 117-111for Jack, who retained the WBC title and is set to face DeGale in a unification fight, likely to take place in September.