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James DeGale regains super-middleweight title with unanimous points win over Caleb Truax

Jarrett Hurd beat Erislandy Lara to unify WBA and IBF junior-middleweight titles.

James DeGale and Caleb Truax at Copper Box Arena on December 9, 2017 in London, England
Image: James DeGale regained the IBF super-middleweight title

James DeGale has regained his IBF world super-middleweight title with a unanimous points victory over Caleb Truax in Las Vegas.

The 32-year-old suffered a shock points defeat to American Truax at London's Copper Box Arena last December and was again taken the distance in a battling display at the Hard Rock Hotel.

The Londoner, weighing in around 5lbs lighter than Truax, showed much better movement than four months ago, but still found himself on the ropes early on after taking a blow from Truax's right hand.

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A clash of heads in the third round saw DeGale draw blood near his right eye and left him struggling to mount any counter-attack to Truax's come-forward approach.

By round eight, Truax had suffered a cut of his own above his left eye and both men tried to get their jabs going, with DeGale often finding his mark.

Truax continued to apply the pressure and things looked to be going against DeGale when he was deducted a point in round 10 for using his shoulder.

 at Copper Box Arena on December 9, 2017 in London, England.
Image: DeGale won with a unanimous points decision

It did not hold him back in round 11, though, and DeGale produced his most effective shots, landing a three-punch combination to leave Truax unsteady and with too much to do going into the final round.

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The 2008 Olympic champion, whose loss last year was the second of his professional career, edged the win, with the judges scoring it 117-110, 114-113 and 114-113 in his favour.

Speaking after the bout, DeGale said in quotes reported by the Mirror: "Full credit to Caleb Truax, he's tough and he's game, but when I'm fit and injury free people will find it hard to beat me.

"I've got my title back, I'm a proud IBF champion and I'm back."

Jarrett Hurd
Image: Jarrett Hurd unified the IBF and WBA junior-middleweight titles after a split decision victory

Elsewhere on the night, Jarrett Hurd beat Erislandy Lara went back-and-forth until Hurd finally dropped Lara in the final round.

Hurd took a split decision with the judges scoring it 114-113, 114-113, and 113-114, resulting in the American retaining his IBF title and taking Lara's WBA belt.