DEGALE BLOOD, SWEAT AND CHEERS
Chunky’s a two-time world champ after Vegas victory... and warns rival Groves
JAMES DEGALE has warned bitter rival George Groves he is back after reclaiming his IBF super-middleweight title to become a two-time world champion.
Degale avenged his shock loss to Caleb Truax by beating the American (below) by a unanimous points decision in their rematch in Las Vegas in the early hours of yesterday.
Degale is now in line to face Groves a third time should the WBA champ win his World Boxing Super Series final against Callum Smith this summer.
Chunky was thrilled to clinch victory at Vegas’s Hard Rock Hotel because he knew he would have been finished had he lost.
“Two-time world champion and it feels great,” beamed the road warrior, who has twice won the IBF title in America. When I’m fit and injury-free people are going to find it hard to beat me. When I’m switched on I’m very hard to beat.
“Two-and-half-years I had that belt for and I lost it to Truax last December. He embarrassed me and I’ve come back and I’ve got back my title.
“I’m a proud IBF world champion and I’m back, I’m back. Team Chunky, we’re back!”
Degale, who won on the scorecards 117-110 and 114-113 tw i c e , shrugged off a deep cut over his right eyebrow sustained in a clash of heads.
The Londoner (trading punches with Tr uax, above) was angry when referee Robert Byrd deducted him a point for hitting Truax with his shoulder in a clinch. He did not let that derail him and he marked Truax’s face with his heavier punches. “I couldn’t coul see from my right eye an and it was obstructing my sight,” sigh he said. “I like the referee er Robert Byrd but today t he was wrong. I’m just j glad I got through it and I showed my heart. “Full credit to Caleb Truax, T he showed he can mix m it at the very top. “Full “respect to him, he’s not a journeyman, he’s a tough guy.” gu