Andre Dirrell: record, next fight and profile →
Mapping out the super middleweight division, IBF world champion James DeGale (21-1, 14KOs) tabs WBA champion Andre Ward as the obvious division leader. Then he rates himself and last Saturday's opponent, Andre Dirrell, as the next best of the bunch. Ward returns, for the first time since the fall of 2013, on June 20th when he faces Paul Smith at a catch-weight of 172-pounds.
Bill "Two Scoops" Emes catches up with James DeGale (21-1, 14 KOs) to discuss his win over Andre Dirrell (24-2, 16 KOs) on Saturday afternoon on Premier Boxing Champions on NBC from Agganis Arena in Boston to earn the super middleweight world title. Degale had Dirrell in trouble early knocking him down twice in the second round to open up a lead on the scorecards. Dirrell fought back strongly throughout the rest of the fight by using his jab and a series of combinations to occasionally stun DeGale, but was unable to make up the gap on the scorecards. The judges' scores were 114-112 twice and 117-109.
James DeGale MBE created British boxing history last night when he claimed the vacant IBF World Super Middleweight title in Boston against Andre Dirrell – and told his rivals at 168lbs: “I will fight anyone”. DeGale became the first British Olympic Gold medal winner to land a World title with a superb performance at the Agganis Arena, in a fight that started in explosive fashion for the Londoner. ‘Chunky’ began well in the opening round but then appeared to be hampered by a cut on the right eyebrow early in the second session. Dabbing away at the blood, DeGale touched Dirrell to the body and then unleashed a thunderous left that sent the American to the canvas. Dirrell bounced straight back up but was on unsteady legs and another flurry of punches saw him crumbled to the deck again – and the Michigan man was fortunate that it was late in the round so he could get back to his corner and regroup.
Bill "Two Scoops" Emes catches up with Eddie Hearn, promoter of James DeGale (21-1, 14 KOs), to discuss the win over Andre Dirrell (24-2, 16 KOs) on Saturday afternoon on Premier Boxing Champions on NBC from Agganis Arena in Boston to earn the super middleweight world title. <br><br> Degale had Dirrell in trouble early knocking him down twice in the second round to open up a lead on the scorecards. Dirrell fought back strongly throughout the rest of the fight by using his jab and a series of combinations to occasionally stun DeGale, but was unable to make up the gap on the scorecards. The judges' scores were 114-112 twice and 117-109.
Adam Booth guided George Groves to a decision win over London rival James DeGale in May 2011 so he knows a lot about the 29-year-old southpaw. Booth believes that the 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist has improved since that big night at London’s O2 Arena and has enough in his arsenal to defeat Michigan's Andre Dirrell for the vacant IBF Super middleweight title in Boston later tonight. Booth took Ireland’s Andy Lee to the WBO title last year; he also guided David Haye to the cruiserweight championship and a WBA title triumph. A proven quantity at world-level, Booth knows what it takes to get to the top and he told Sky Sports News that DeGale has shown enough in recent fights to go into tonight’s fight confident of victory.
Thankfully the days are gone when British boxers who travelled to the United States either got mugged in the ring by American opponents or robbed outside it by the judges. America is not the hostile territory it once was for our champions and contenders, who now seem to win there more often than they lose. Years ago defeat was the norm for Brits who made the journey, such as middleweight champions Randolph Turpin and Terry Downes who won their titles here but came back from the US as losers after their respective return bouts against Sugar Ray Robinson and Paul Pender.
James DeGale made history by claiming the vacant IBF super-middleweight title with a thrilling unanimous decision victory over Andre Dirrell in Boston. DeGale has become the first person to win Olympic gold and a world crown in the professional ranks for Britain after withstanding a fierce comeback from his American opponent. The Londoner appeared on course for a sensational early stoppage after dropping Dirrell twice in the second round, with the first knockdown coming from a brutal overhand left.
Andre Dirrell and James DeGale are set for their vacant super middleweight title fight, which headlines at the Agganis Arena in Boston, Mass. The bout will air live on NBC (Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET), as part of Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) series.
If you’re wondering why super middleweights from Flint, Mich., and London will fight Saturday in Boston, it’s not because Andre Dirrell refused to go to England for another title fight. Dirrell dropped a split decision to Carl Froch 5½ years ago in Froch’s native Nottingham, England, but that wouldn’t have prevented the talented southpaw from traveling to the United Kingdom again to box James DeGale.
BOSTON - James DeGale (21-1, 14 KOs) narrowly defeated Andre Dirrell (24-2, 16 KOs) Saturday afternoon on Premier Boxing Champions on NBC from Agganis Arena in Boston to earn the super middleweight world title. Degale had Dirrell in trouble early knocking him down twice in the second round to open up a lead on the scorecards. Dirrell fought back strongly throughout the rest of the fight by using his jab and a series of combinations to occasionally stun DeGale, but was unable to make up the gap on the scorecards. The judges' scores were 114-112 twice and 117-109.