Sunday 15 January 2017 09:07, UK
James DeGale called for a rematch with Badou Jack after their unification fight was scored a majority draw in New York.
The IBF champion dropped WBC title holder Jack in the first round, but DeGale would suffer a decisive knockdown in the last round and although one judge scored the fight 114-112 in his favour, two scores of 113-113 meant both men retained their super-middleweight belts.
DeGale thought he had done enough to earn victory, despite his dramatic late scare, but Jack seemed to reject his calls for a return fight.
Standing beside Jack, the British fighter told Sky Sports: "I’ve got huge respect for this man. He showed he’s tough, he’s durable, he’s skilful - you the man.
"I thought I won that. I threw the cleaner shots. He said he was going to outbox me. I was moving my feet, picking his head off.
"Listen, let’s do it again. Let’s do it again."
Jack's pre-fight struggle with the weight limit was confirmed by promoter Floyd Mayweather and the 33-year-old suggested he will vacate his WBC belt and move up a division.
"Let’s do it again at light-heavyweight," replied the Sweden-born fighter.
Jack also felt he should have been awarded the verdict from the judges and played down his disastrous start to the fight.
"He was doing a lot of running," said Jack. "I thought I won the fight. I finished stronger. His knockdown was a flash knockdown."
DeGale had to overcome a torrid ending to an entertaining fight and urged Jack to face him again in Britain.
"Come to London," said DeGale. "He hit me, but I was more off balance. I was kind of hurt, but I’ve got to give him respect.
"I’ve always respected him. He’s a good all-round fighter. I’m willing to do it again, but all respect to him."
Mayweather joined the interview and voiced his dismay after his fighter was held to a second successive draw.
"Badou Jack has got too big for the 168lbs," said Mayweather. "We had plans after this fight, moving up to light-heavyweight. This is the second time in a row Badou Jack has got a bad decision.
"James DeGale is a hell of a fighter, but tonight he didn’t win. I respect him as a fighter, but Badou Jack was the better man tonight. But James DeGale is one hell of a fighter."
