Chris Eubank Jnr ushered out the old and brought in his self-proclaimed ‘new generation’ on the back of the two Chunky knock-downs which put an almost certain end to James DeGale’s glittering career.
Son of Eubank goes on from a unanimous decision in a roaring 02 to even bigger fights than this, perhaps against world super-middleweight champion Callum Smith.
DeGale had said he would have to retire if he lost Eubank and after the scores were read out he said: ‘I will go home and talk to my team and my family but I’m pretty sure that’s it. I couldn’t do enough tonight.’
Chris Eubank Jr landed biggest win of his career to leave James DeGale’s future in the balance
JEFF POWELL’S SCORECARD
| DeGale |
ROUND |
Eubank Jnr |
| 10 |
1 |
9 |
| 8 |
2 |
10 |
| 9 |
3 |
10 |
| 10 |
4 |
9 |
| 10 |
5 |
9 |
| 9 |
6 |
10 |
| 9 |
7 |
10 |
| 10 |
8 |
9 |
| 10 |
9 |
9 |
| 8 |
10 |
10 |
| 9 |
11 |
9 |
| 9 |
12 |
10 |
| 111 |
TOTAL |
114 |
The bitter enmities of the build up evaporated into mutual respect. DeGale offered; ‘Chris is fit and strong and nicked the rounds to win.’
Eubank was more generous, praising his rival for his courage ‘getting up twice to finish the fight and boxing very slickly.’
Those two knock downs each added four points of cement to Junior’s triumph by 114-112, 115-112 and a top heavy 117-109 on one card.
With Eubank also being docked a point for body-slamming DeGale In WWE fashion, I had him winning 114-111.
Both men suffered cut eyes, probably from the head-butts which set the tone of a brawl intermingled with some of DeGale’s technical skills.
Eubank will be all the better for the experience and gather all the more momentum from regaining the IBO super-middleweight tite, albeit that this belt is not universally recognised as a world tile.
DeGale touched down in a corner and was required to take an eight count in second round
George Groves, the third man in the long-running domestic dispute between these Brits, duly presented himself as a ringside commentator.
One of the camps with a fighter on active duty – rumoured more likely to be Team DeGale than Family Eubank – had successfully protested to ITV against the Saint analysing their efforts on air.
When the issue became public Groves was reinstated. There could hardly have been a more qualified assessor given that he had fought and beaten both the combatants, DeGale narrowly early in their careers and Eubank comprehensively before he retired.
DeGale switched his boxing up a gear at the start of the eighth round at the O2 Arena
Groves had tipped Junior to prevail, on the basis that Chunky had looked a spent force in his two most recent fights. But he had offered the caveat that if DeGale did return close to his best he would be too skilful for Eubank.
Many in the decent sized and boisterous crowd in the 02 shared similarly divided opinion.
Eubank’s legendary father, despite revealing himself petrified that his son might lose, had declared it a 50-50 fight, while the bookies marginally favoured Junior.
That held out the prospect of a close encounter of the thrilling kind.
DeGale felt the full effect of being drawn into a Eubank slugfest on Saturday night
The main event was delayed, reportedly while awaiting the return of an ambulance from a nearby hospital to be on stand by,
Apparently the emergency vehicle was required to take Bermane Stiverne to hospital immediately after his heavyweight beating by Joe Joyce, the Olympic silver medallist who extended the start of his pro career to eight straight knock-outs.
Safety regulations demand that an ambulance must be in attendance while all boxers are in action.
Eubank was in a hurry after slow starts cost him against Billy Joe Saunders and George Groves
When they finally came to the ring Eubank hurdled the top rope in his glittering silver outfit. DeGale, in black, settled for a conventional duck between the ropes. Junior drew the jeers, as Chunky enjoyed a rare arrival as the crowd favourite.
A wary opening saw DeGale poach the first round with his southpaw jab but he sustained an immediate cut by the side of his left eye from what looked like a clash of heads.
In the second Euband suffered a matching cut by his right eye and responded angrily, charging forward to land a huge left hook.
Brilliant defensive movement by DeGale often frustrated his opponent during the fight
DeGale reeled and as Eubank warmed after an early finish DeGale touched down in a corner and was required to take an eight count. DeGale was in trouble again before the end of the round but stayed upright to the bell.
By the third DeGale was making the mistake of being drawn into a Eubank slugfest and was sent crashing back against the ropes by a hefty right hand.
Eubank, who had made the mistake of starting slowly in his two world title losses agains Billy Joe Saunders and George Groves, was in a hurry this time.
DeGale seemed to have ridden the storm as Eubank struggled to keep up the fast pace
But DeGale seemed to have ridden the storm and he stopped Eubank in his tracks with a vicious left. That reopened Junior’s cut and although Eubank made a bull-like charge at the end of the fourth DeGale was back in the fight.
Eubank, who had made the mistake of starting slowly in his two world title losses agains Billy Joe Saunders and George Groves, was in a hurry this time.
But DeGale seemed to have ridden the storm and he stopped Eubank in his tracks with a vicious left. That reopened Junior’s cut and although Eubank made a bull-like charge at the end of the fourth DeGale was back in the fight.
Eubank got through with a couple of meaty rights as he came out of counter-attack
DeGale started the fifth at his sharpest yet, landing snap rights and lefts and evading most of the Eubank counters.
Eubank got through with a couple of meaty rights as he came out of counter-attack mode to carry the fight to DeGale and take the sixth round.
Brilliant defensive movement by DeGale frustrated Eubank in the seventh and, as he lunged after his man, he was caught by succession of lefts.
DeGale had looked a shadow of the boxer who won two IBF world super-middleweight titles
But a late rally may have stolen the round.
DeGale switched his boxing up a gear at the start of the eighth and there was the first hint of the boxing lesson he had promised to administer.
The first signing of Eubank beginning to flag after missing so many punches helped DeGale ease into a semblance of control.
The bitter rivalry led to Eubank Jnr to take out his rival with a shoulder charge in the 11th
It was not the first time and referee Michael Alexander rightly deducted a point
Eubank broke the spell with a huge right in the 10th and for the second time was able to pummel DeGale onto a knee to win potentially decisive two-point margin round.
Eubank poured it on but with DeGale reeling he spoiled it by throwing him to the canvas in the 11th. It was not the first time he had picked DeGale up bodily and referee Michael Alexander rightly deducted a point. It would have been Junior’s round otherwise.
DeGale had to land the punch of a lifetime to steal it but he doesn’t come close. It went the distance but the result is clear for all to see, Jnr has won this. DeGale raised his arm too, but he surely cannot believe he’d won it.
