James DeGale vs. Paul Smith RBR

Round 1

Smith with a body jab right away. DeGale makes himself small and backs out, then comes back with an attempt at a straight left hand but winds up in a clinch. The right jab of DeGale and left jab of Smith fence off a bit. DeGale keeps his pumping faster and for a longer duration than Smith, who takes some breaks. Good left to the body by DeGale breaks up the monotony. Another clinch, with both men stumbling off-balance. DeGale flicks his right jab up into Smith's throat. Smith gets in a body shot but is mostly being held off by the threat of the right jab in his face. DeGale keeps his right hand held low, popping Smith in the face with a few jabs and then bringing a left cross around but falling into a clinch. He lands his next left but is grabbed again. Smith takes a right hook before the bell and talks some **** in DeGale's face.

10-9 DeGale

 

Macklin-Varon is still FOTN for me. This will have to get a lot better to surpass it.

 

Round 2

Their arms are crashing together and their momentum brings them into frequent clinches. Smith ducks a 1-2 and has his head wedged in DeGale's ribs. DeGale is picking Smith off now with his long right jab. Smith is letting his own jab go with a bit of a rowing motion, and getting beaten by the straighter and quicker version DeGale keeps in his face. DeGale tucks his chin and slips a Smith right hand, then goes back to outboxing with his nice jab.

20-18 DeGale

 

Round 3

DeGale is landing his jab in multiples and as the front half of a 1-2. Smith tries to crowd him and get rough, but can't get his shots off in time before DeGale ducks and squirms free. Smith lands a lunging lead right but takes a straight left on the way. DeGale throws a right hook off his jab, and gets another straight left in. Smith again lands a lead right that gets a roar from the crowd, but it's only his second good punch. Both miss jabs and DeGale fires off a big left uppercut that falls short. They clinch for the last ten seconds.

30-27 DeGale