SAN DIEGO, April 30, 2016 ? Badou Jack and James DeGale are bound for a unification fight after Jack kept his WBC Super Middleweight belt by the skin of his teeth in a controversial decision over Lucian Bute, while IBF title holder DeGale managed only a draw against rugged Rogelio Medina in the opening bout of a super middleweight doubleheader tournament at the DC Armory.
Were the scorecards preordained, given everyone wanted to see the current titleholders DeGale and Jack square off in the tournament final? Especially in DeGale?s case, he seemed to get a gift with the draw which enabled him to move forward. James DeGale (left) escaped with a draw against a determined Rogelio Medina Saturday. Photo: Esther LIn, Showtime Sports
Medina threw double the number of punches DeGale did, 1,140 total punches to 612 punches for DeGale. He punished DeGale against the ropes, going to the body and hitting DeGale with one of the best punches in boxing, the left hook to the liver. DeGale was more accurate, landing 51 percent of his power punches, compared to 23 percent for Medina. His best punch of the night was a right upper cut that rocked Medina. DeGale?s problem was the lack of any jab to keep Medina from pressing his attack.
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?If I?m being honest, he?s a very strong fighter, but skills pay the bills,? said DeGale. ?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.?
After tough losses against seven fighters who have all of two losses among them, Medina was far more disappointed. Medina gave the best effort of his career. It still wasn?t enough to take away DeGale?s title.
?He said he was going to stop me. He was running all around and he didn?t stop me like he said he would,? said Medina. ?He?s the only one who thinks he won. The fans think I won. I definitely want the rematch.?
