DeGale boxes his way to points victory

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See also: DeGale v Zuniga as it happened

James DeGale took another step towards a world title shot with a wide points win over durable Colombian Fulgencio Zuniga at the Sports Arena in Hull.

Harlesden’s European super-middleweight champion – now also the WBC Silver champion after this victory – dominated the fight.

His 35-year-old opponent came to the ring with plenty experience, having fought former world champions Kelly Pavlik and Lucian Bute and faced Tavoris Cloud for the IBF light-heavyweight crown.

But that was belied by a cumbersome style, which DeGale exploited by using his superior boxing skills – not to mention a significant reach advantage.

Zuniga hit the canvas after DeGale landed with a right hook in the second round, but the referee called it a slip.

And the official helped out Zuniga again in the third.

A great left sent him to the floor and DeGale might have pulled off a stoppage victory with a follow-up barrage of punches had the referee not bizarrely stepped in and temporarily halted the fight, seemingly after thinking he had heard the bell.

DeGale hurt his opponent again in the following round, both with body shots and a couple of big lefts.

The pattern continued for the rest of the contest as DeGale landed with crisp combinations and Zuniga plodded gamely forward, hoping to get lucky with swinging punches.

He did have some success in the later rounds as the Londoner slowed down, but DeGale was a convincing winner with all three judges scoring the bout 118-109 in his favour.

 

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