Degale fulfils promise
Olympic gold medallist James DeGale made a triumphant London homecoming with a superb second-round stoppage win over Matthew Barr at Wembley Arena.
The Beijing middleweight champion had long craved a chance to star in front of his fellow Londoners having turned professional 12 months ago without yet boxing in his home city.
DeGale had vowed to put on a show after being granted his wish and delivered in style against 32-year-old Barr, flooring him three times in the second round and forcing the stoppage.
DeGale's five previous professional fights had been something of a mixed bag, the southpaw receiving a hostile reception after his debut in Birmingham last February before winning over the public in his four subsequent appearances.
Barr began energetically and landed some early shots until a right counter wobbled the veteran and he was forced to touch down, although no count was started by referee Grant Wallis.
DeGale seized control and dominated the round with slick but powerful shots, particularly his stiff jab with the lead right hand.
DeGale stepped it up in the second and Barr played into his hands, moving forward constantly but being picked off.
A left followed by a right hook floored Barr early in the second and the end was in sight when a brilliant left counter put his man down again.
Barr was also cut over the right eye and, when DeGale really hurt his man with a short right that put his opponent down for a third time, referee Wallis waved it off at one minute and 38 seconds of round two.
Date published :
13 Feb 2010 - 21:38:01
