James DeGale first British boxer to win Olympic and pro titles with victory over Andre Dirrell
The 2008 Beijing Olympic middleweight champion improved to 21-1 after triumphing by a unanimous decision
James DeGale became the first British fighter to win Olympic gold and a professional title, defeating Andre Dirrell to claim the vacant International Boxing Federation super middleweight crown.
The 29-year-old Englishman knocked the American down twice in the second round, Dirrell having tasted the canvas only once before in his career, and won a unanimous decision by judges scores of 114-112, 114-112 and 117-109.
"I'm speechless. What can I say?" DeGale said. "My whole career, what I've been building to is winning the world title.
"It's a wonderful feeling. I'm world champ. I made history."
I'm speechless. What can I say? My whole career, what I've been building to is winning the world title. It's a wonderful feeling. I'm world champ. I made history
DeGale, who won the 2008 Beijing Olympic middleweight title, improved to 21-1 by winning the southpaw showdown in his US debut.