By Terence Dooley

Southpaw versus southpaw fights tend to attract a fair amount of pooh-poohing from boxing fans, but, if the match-up is right, the stances are negated and they can ignite given the right circumstances.  That was the case tonight when James DeGale (167.2lbs) clashed with Andre Dirrell (167.8lbs) for the vacant IBF Super middleweight title at Detroit's Agganis Arena.

Both men had moments in round one, only for DeGale, 29, to pick up a cut by his left eye in the second stanza, caused by a punch, before exploding into life to floor "The Resurrection" twice—once with a clean shot before a bungling, albeit scored, second knockdown.

Both men knew the taste of defeat going into this one; Dirrell lost by decision to Carl Froch in 2009, a fight he dubbed a hometown decision after travelling to Nottingham, and DeGale dropped a decision to London rival George Groves in May 2011. 

After losing to Froch, Dirrell bounced back with a DQ 11 win over Arthur Abraham, but took an injury induced sabbatical after the Germany-based Armenian hit him after he slipped to the canvas.

Since that night, the 31-year-old contender has boxed on five occasions to move into contention.  DeGale, though, has fought 15 times during that time period and his sharpness showed as the fight unfurled.

Dirrell used to be known as "The Matrix", but adapted his new ring moniker after coming back from the Arthur setback.  Tonight, he lived up to his newest nickname by coming back from that torrid second round.  However, DeGale scored effectively in round six, opening up a gash on Dirrell's left cheekbone with a series of cheeky counter attacks when Dirrell opened up.

DeGale came into the fight with a huge weight of expectation on his shoulders as he attempted to become the first British Olympic Gold Medalist to net a world title in the professional ranks.  However, Dirrell's tenaciousness during rounds seven and eight brought him right back into the contest.

When a fighter is dropped early and survives, they tend to become accustomed to the opponent's shots the longer the fight goes on, this was the case tonight as Dirrell shook off a few shots in the ninth.  Despite a good round, he showed out after the bell sounded before telling his corner: "I'm good.  I'm good."

Ominously, DeGale voluntarily went to the back foot briefly in the 10th, inviting Dirrell to move into the space he left when trying to box in reverse.  His openness when reversing left him open for straight left hand as the round moved into the final minute.

Carl Froch was on hand for Sky Sports, he asked if DeGale was "Resting on his laurels" following DeGale's "fantastic start" and advised his fellow Briton to force Dirrell onto the back foot again before signing off with "It's very disappointing."

By the final round, DeGale's eye was weeping blood again, he forced Dirrell to take a step back and landed some shots before taking a step back, probably in the belief that his big 10-7 second round had sealed the deal.

Scores of 114-112, 117-109 and 114-112 from Daniel Fiztgerald, Alan Davis and Howard Foster respectively awarded DeGale a unanimous win.  Despite fears going into the fight, referee Leo Gerstel handled proceedings well and was inconspicuous by his absence.

"I'm speechless," said DeGale, who made history with the win.  "I'm world champ, I made history by becoming the first (British) Gold Medalist to become world champion.  It was speed and footwork.  I'm injury free, I'll take on any Super middleweight in the world—I'm hard to beat.

"Let's not forget, he's talented and hard to beat, we're second and third in the rankings (behind Andre Ward).  I respect him.  He's a very, very good skilled opponent.  I'm ready, man—I'm IBF world champion."

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