Badou Jack retained the WBC Super Middleweight title via a dubious 12-round majority draw with former IBF champion Lucian Bute
Bute was cut around the right eye in round three from an elbow. It seemed like Jack controlled the first ten rounds with superior boxing ability and worked the body. Bute worked hard but he didn’t seem to make the imprint that Jack was making. It looked like Jack was get to the finish with a comfortable decision but two judges saw it differently as they saw it 114-114. Jack deservedly won a card 117-111.
Jack, 167.4 lbs of Stickholm, SWE is now 20-1-2. Bute, 167 lbs of Laval, CAN is 32-3-1.
“Let’s unify the decision and see who the best is,” DeGale said to Jack in a post-fight interview moderated by SHOWTIME Sports reporter Jim Gray.
“I’m ready in September, ready in August,” responded Jack.” “I’m ready whenever. Let’s do it where it makes the most sense financially.”
“Bullshit, but is what it is. Ask Bute as well, he knows what time it is,” said Jack, who landed nearly 100 more punches than Bute, including 61 percent of his power punches, and 40 percent total of his total shots. “His punches weren’t hurting me. I feel I won the fight. Maybe I lost the last round. He’s a great guy and a great champion, but I know I won the fight.
“It’s not Bute’s fault, it’s the judges. People saw I won the fight.”
“It was a close fight,” said Bute, who connected at just a 21 percent rate with his total punches. “Believe me, it was very close fight. My last fight with DeGale was very close, tonight was a very close fight. I showed everyone I’m still at the top.”
James DeGale retained the IBF Super Middleweight championship with a 12-round unanimous decision over Rogelio Medina.
DeGale won on skills as he landed a the sharper punches but Medina pressed the action and stayed in the chest of DeGale. DeGale fought well as he showcased some nice upper cuts as Medina worked the body effectively.
DeGale, 167.6 lbs of Harlesdon, UK won by scores of 117-111 twice and 115-113. Medina, 167.8 lbs of Hermosillo, MX is 36-7.
“The boxing skills are too good,” DeGale said. “If I’m being honest, he’s a very strong fighter, but skills pay the bills. I watched this guy years ago and he didn’t have the engine like that. He’s gotten better and stronger in the last year and a half.
“I’m a bit disappointed – I should be taking out people like Porky Medina, no disrespect to him.
“I’m always learning in the gym. My inside work, my defense, my concentration. I’m going to go back to the gym, I’m going to work and I’ll be ready in September.
“I want Badou Jack. I want a fresh name on my record.”
“The boxing skills are too good,” DeGale said. “If I’m being honest, he’s a very strong fighter, but skills pay the bills. I watched this guy years ago and he didn’t have the engine like that. He’s gotten better and stronger in the last year and a half.
“I’m a bit disappointed – I should be taking out people like Porky Medina, no disrespect to him.
“I’m always learning in the gym. My inside work, my defense, my concentration. I’m going to go back to the gym, I’m going to work and I’ll be ready in September.
“I want Badou Jack. I want a fresh name on my record.”
