DeGale Loses World Title to Truax

At the Copper Box Arena, in London, the IBF super-middleweight world title holder, James DeGale, slipped to a shock defeat against his American challenger, Caleb Truax.

DeGale, fighting in the UK for the first time in an age, lost his title on a points decision, with the three judges scoring if as thus:

? 115 ? 112 (in favour of Truax)
? 114 ? 114 (draw)
? 116 ? 112 (in favour of Truax)

Truax looked he busier of the two fighters in the early stages and caught DeGale with a big right-hand in the fifth, a punch that drew gasps from the pro-DeGale support.

DeGale rallied in the latter rounds but clearly, in the eyes of the judges, hadn?t done enough.

Talking to the media afterwards DeGale, who hadn?t boxed since January due to a shoulder injury, had this to say,

‘There’s something missing in the ring.

‘I honestly did think I’d won, I’ve got to go back to the drawing board.

‘My nose is blocked again, I’ve got to sort it out. The shoulder – I had serious reconstruction – there’s no pain but I’ll have to go back, have a look and see. I’ve probably rushed back to be honest, maybe I should have waited till next year.’

And after suffering just the second defeat of his career, DeGale had this to say about what lies ahead,

‘I’m going to speak to Al Haymon later, maybe I can get a rematch.’

Whereas the victor, Caleb Truax, had this to say,

‘All week all I heard was who he’s going to fight next. Well guess what? Those fights are mine now.

‘I’d love to fight in the UK again. I’m staying until Wednesday – if anybody sees me, buy some pints.’

Will DeGale get the re-match, unless it was written into his contract, I?d suggest probably not.