The IBF Super Middleweight world title has returned to its former owner, James ‘Chunky’ DeGale after the 2008 Olympic Gold medalist turned in a solid display to silence many of the critics who questioned whether the Briton still had enough to be competitive at world championship level.
DeGale didn’t quite put in the performance that would suggest he is back to his best.
But, he was the sharper operator in their Las Vegas rematch and recorded tallies of 117-110 and 114-113 twice to secure his redemption via a unanimous decision.
In their first battle it was a glum and rugged encounter with DeGale looking sloppy and lethargic.
Back where she belongs #2Time#Redemption 🏆 pic.twitter.com/rtiRtWXOpi
— James DeGale (@jamesdegale1) April 8, 2018
During this rematch it would appear the roles somewhat reversed as Truax seemed lost for ideas as the fight played out.
The gruelling tactics from Truax were on show again however, as he was an ever-present aggressor coming forward but his workload wasn’t near where it was in the first fight.
The action of the fight was once again messy from the get go. DeGale was reprimanded for repeated headbutts in the fight’s opening stages as the American sought to press DeGale.
Truax had arguably his best moment of the fight in the latter stages of the second round. He managed to find his mark with a big overhand right.
Truax scored again with a big right hand in the fight’s third round which left DeGale in need of a clinch.
Truax continued to be aggressive as we approached the middle rounds, but his work was not enough to earn him the rounds.
Despite this he drew blood from the Briton and that laceration began to bleed very heavily until the fight’s close.
While not particularly effective with his tactics, the American former champion was always trying to carry the fight to DeGale as we entered the second half of the fight.
His determination perhaps disheartened DeGale who came into the fight looking primarily for a stoppage.
DeGale was looking for opportunities to hold and disrupt the flow of the action in the seventh.
‘Chunky’ began meeting Truax’s aggression with some fire of his own in the eighth.
DeGale finding success with a pair of thudding right hands. An uppercut followed up by a snapping hook later on in the round.
In round 9, excessive clinching continued breaking up the action in the fight and not allowing any momentum to build.
DeGale had a point taken away after being penalized by referee Robert Byrd for what he explained as improper use of his forearm and shoulder while in close quarters.
Replays showed that the move was legal and should have been allowed to stand, however.
👑👑 David Benavidez: "I'm excited James DeGale got that belt back, maybe we can unify. WBC, IBF. I'm ready. It would be an honour to get in the ring with him, I feel like I would stop him." [@FightHype]
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) April 8, 2018
DeGale upped the pace in the penultimate eleventh round. He responded by landing punches of real significance in his right uppercut and straight left power hand.
Continued to befuddle a lost Caleb Truax with his lateral movement and superior footwork as the fight drew towards the final bell.
James DeGale is once again a world champion. He will surely have his eyes on the winner of the George Groves – Callum Smith WBSS super-middleweight final in what has the potential to be a blockbuster domestic unification clash.
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James DeGale says he is not repeating the same mistakes from first fight with Caleb Truax