Chris Eubank Jnr claimed an impressive victory to leave James DeGale's future in the balance with a unanimous points win on Saturday night.
Eubank Jnr forced a count in round two after a stinging left hook and DeGale was sent to the canvas again in the 10th by a close-range left hook.
DeGale held on to go the distance and the cards read 114-112 115-112 117-109.
More to follow
DeGale touched down in a corner and was required to take an eight count in second round
DeGale switched his boxing up a gear at the start of the eighth round at the O2 Arena
DeGale felt the full effect of being drawn into a Eubank slugfest on Saturday night
Eubank was in a hurry after slow starts cost him against Billy Joe Saunders and George Groves
Brilliant defensive movement by DeGale often frustrated his opponent during the fight
DeGale seemed to have ridden the storm as Eubank struggled to keep up the fast pace
Eubank got through with a couple of meaty rights as he came out of counter-attack
George Groves, the third man in the long-running domestic dispute between these Brits, duly presented himself as a ringside commentator.
One of the camps with a fighter on active duty – rumoured more likely to be Team DeGale than Family Eubank - had successfully protested to ITV against the Saint analysing their efforts on air.
When the issue became public Groves was reinstated. There could hardly have been a more qualified assessor given that he had fought and beaten both the combatants, DeGale narrowly early in their careers and Eubank comprehensively before he retired.
Groves had tipped Junior to prevail, on the basis that Chunky had looked a spent force in his two most recent fights. But he had offered the caveat that if DeGale did return close to his best he would be too skilful for Eubank.
Many in the decent sized and boisterous crowd in the 02 shared similarly divided opinion.
Eubank’s legendary father, despite revealing himself petrified that his son might lose, had declared it a 50-50 fight, while the bookies marginally favoured Junior.
That held out the prospect of a close encounter of the thrilling kind.
The main event was delayed, reportedly while awaiting the return of an ambulance from a nearby hospital to be on stand by,
Apparently the emergency vehicle was required to take Bermane Stiverne to hospital immediately after his heavyweight beating by Joe Joyce, the Olympic silver medallist who extended the start of his pro career to eight straight knock-outs.
Safety
