James DeGale retained his IBF super-middleweight title as he defeated Lucian Bute in Quebec City.
The Brit beat Bute by unanimous judges decision (116-112, 117-111, 117-111) after controlling his first world title defence from start to finish.
Following the weigh-in, DeGale had said: “They think it’s going to be a boxing match, but it will be a destruction.
“Place your bets. Trust me. Going to be six rounds, but it may be three.”
But while DeGale dominated the early exchanges, a cut above his left eye sustained by way of an accidental headbutt threatened to derail his defence.
Bute was aggressive and barely had his back to the ropes, but couldn’t match the speed of the Brit as he got duped by DeGale’s combinations and took some particularly telling right-handed uppercuts.
