Classy DeGale too much for Bozic

ESPN staff

James DeGale successfully defended his WBC silver super-middleweight title with a technical fifth round knockout over veteran Stjepan Bozic at the Bluewater in Kent.

James DeGale admitted it was not a vintage performance against Stjepan Bozic © PA Photos

Bozic, who once defeated Carl Froch as an amateur, was pulled out in the fifth after his corner told the referee to stop the fight.

DeGale, who defeated Sebastien Demers in Canada in May, was rarely troubled by his opponent before securing his sixth straight victory since a 2011 defeat to George Groves.

It was an excellent opening round from the Hammersmith-born fighter, landing a multitude of sharp body shots to hurt Bozic and seize the early momentum.

The Croat struggled to land anything notable on DeGale as he looked to work his way into the fight. Smart footwork from the Brit allowed a couple of speed right-handers, but DeGale then appeared to sit back in the second round and gave Bozic a sighter at him on the ropes.

Bozic was caught by a low left shot from DeGale, landing just below the belt, but both soon ignited in the third with a flurry of action. First DeGale showed his speed to land several body blows, but Bozic hit back on the counter to spark the Bluewater crowd into life.

DeGale leant with another left shy of the belt, which further hurt Bozic - this time the veteran did take time out on the ropes to compose himself as the referee advised the Londoner to keep his hands up.

However, DeGale was seemingly unfazed by his own mistakes as he finished the fourth in style with a powerful left-right combo.

It proved too much for Bozic, whose face had begun to flare up following the earlier punishment, and his corner soon asked the referee to put a stop to the fight and give DeGale the win.

DeGale finished the night by calling for a bout with Carl Froch, and insisted that he could defeat the 'Cobra'.

"Carl Froch's a fantastic fighter, but everyone's making him out to be some sort of Terminator, like he can't be beat," DeGale told Channel 5. "I think personally I'm all wrong for him."

Chris Eubank Jr continued his undefeated record, scoring his tenth professional victory with a technical knockout of Tyan Booth in the eighth round.

Kid Galahad moved to 14 professional bouts unbeaten following a fifth round knockout of Isaac Nettey. The Sheffield fighter put his opponent down in the fourth before sealing the win in the next round.

 

Source:  www.espn.co.uk/boxing/sport/story/211353.html