Well this is definitely a case where you and I stand across the aisle from each other, because all three judges' cards were even closer than mine!
I think you're a little more pro Degale than I am, although I really like Degale too, but I probably just let my sentimentality get to me last night, especially after the Wlad -Fury nightmare.
I used to trash the guy, actually. Around the loss to Groves, especially (which I think I had hinted at in the build-up, as I just didn't think DeGale was very smart and figured he was too one-gear to adapt to St. George) His years of dedicated reinvention have gradually earned my respect, the hard way.
I didn't think too highly of him either around the Groves match, but then after the wins over Gonzalez, Periban and Khatchikian last year, I became a true fan and thought the sky was the limit, but the fact that had he not dropped Dirrell twice that would have ended up a draw made me realize, nah he's still got problems.
Yeah but he doesn't let those problems define him and has found a way to just cover the spread and make up for them, which is what I respect most about him.
A Bute decision cannot be justified imo, but I was not impressed by DeGale. He was fighting off the back foot too often and not throwing enough. The better quality shots were clearly landed by him, though.
I guess if you're a Canelo over Lara person I can see having Bute over DeGale. I just happen to feel that Lara and DeGale both clearly won. (and DeGale stood toe-to-toe with Bute a lot more than Lara did with Canelo)
Im surprised so many felt the fight was close on the scorecards. Sure Bute did well, but you can have fights where many rounds can be competitive but one fighter can build up a lead. I felt it was like that when Froch and Ward fought in that some rounds could be seen either way. I thought Degale boxed really well and won more clear rounds and looked impressive in the process
Scorecards were garbage. Although since they have to be ten points it's not outrageous. DeGale was landing at times throughout the round, while Bute tended to hit him in combinations and spurts. I can easily see why the arena was behind Bute. Good fight. For anyone who gave two rounds to Bute, It's really not a complex equation 3-2 after 5 + At the very least, the 12th. Morons.
I honestly don't think Bute landed more than 15 clean shots in the whole fight. He was hitting gloves and arms, and DeGale slipped pretty much everything else. To say the fight was even slightly close is laughable. DeGale covered up and countered with combinations, hitting clean and flush, and yet people think it was close? I gave Bute three rounds, and that was kind. Yes he came forward, but being aggressive is only good if you can hit the fella.