By: Raymundo Dioses
IBF super middleweight title holder James DeGale retained his belt in a unification match against WBC titlist Badou Jack on January 14, 2017 in Brooklyn, New York.
DeGale, (23-1-1, 14KO) scored a knockdown in round one. The fight became competitive in the mid rounds, and Jack floored De Gale in the 12th round. Scores were 114-112 to Degale, 113-113 and 113-113 for a majority draw.
"Let's do it again," said DeGale. "Let's do it again in London. He hit me [in the 12th], but I was more off balance. I respect him. He's a good, all-round fighter. Let's go again." DeGale was making his third title defense.
In the night's co-feature, Gervonta Davis became the IBF's new lightweight champion with a dominant performance over Jose Pedraza via seventh round TKO.
Davis (17-0, 16 KO) came out swinging, was the aggressor throughout the action packed fight and in the seventh, sent Pedraza to the canvas. Pedraza was able to beat the count, yet the fight was called off by referee Ricky Gonzalez due to the punishment Pedraza was taking.
"It feels great to win my first belt," Davis said. "It was a lot of hard work, but it means a lot to me that I had a great performance and boxed really well. I appreciate the best boxer in the world backing me, Floyd Mayweather."
Both fights were televised by Showtime and promoted by Mayweather Promotions.