On this day in 2018, James DeGale travelled to Las Vegas to avenge his loss to Caleb Truax and regain his IBF World super-middleweight title in a brutal battle.
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DeGale was upset by Truax in December 2017, when Truax travelled to London and unseated DeGale as world champion on points.
The rematch saw both men being cut, Degale over his right eye, and Truax over both eyes. However, these two warriors continued to battle it out for 12 rounds.
DeGale had his hand raised as he got a unanimous decision victory. The two fighters left the Arena in the same ambulance, and Truax tweeted out that: “Bloody fight last night with @jamesdegale1, but at the end of the day,
#boxing is a gentleman’s sport. #RubberMatch”
Bloody fight last night with @jamesdegale1, but at the end of the day, #boxing is a gentleman's sport. #RubberMatchpic.twitter.com/0rdbuNiHQU
— caleb truax (@GoldenCalebT) April 8, 2018
Truax vs DeGale was not the main attraction on the card. That honour went to Erislandy Lara vs Jarrett Hurd in a fight to unify the WBA and IBF World super welterweight titles.
Hurd was the victor, in what was viewed as one of the fights of 2018. The two men battled right until the end, but a knockdown in Hurd's favour in the final tilted a split decision in his favour.
The undercard saw Julian Williams edge a majority decision against Nathaniel Gallimore. Sergio Mora outpointed Alfredo Angulo over 8 rounds.
Welterweight, Emmanuel Medina extended his undefeated record as he coasted to a points victory over Saul Corral.
Ahmed Majed Mahmood was handed his first defeat of his pro career as he was on the wrong end of a decision against Sharone Carter.
The only knockout of the night came in the lightweight division as prospect Xavier Martinez dispatched Jairo Vargas in two rounds.