By Gari Jones: Channel Five is turning into a great place for some weekend boxing. For those like myself who appreciate terrestrial TV picking up boxing, rather than a BOX OFFICE or subscription package limiting the numbers who can view. Channel Five gave a good nights boxing action.

Up first was Eubank Jr now W9, KO 4, L0, DO against journeymen Olegs Fedotovs W 15, KO 11, L10, D0. This fight was Eubank’s second in one week, it clearly worked to his advantage fighting so soon after defeating veteran Bradley Pryce W33, KO18, L12, D0.

This fight ended in round 2 via referee stoppage, it wasn’t really surprise to see Eubank pick up the win it was more the REF who made an unusual stop. Eubank Jr controlled the first round with the jab, finding his range whilst Fedotovs tried to work his way in. Eubank won the first round I scored it 10-9. Second round was again just two people looking for position, but a good right found Eubank Jr a way into Fedotovs, a barrage of punches soon followed as EJr looked to finish quickly.

This is where the referee made an unusual decision. He steps in and waves the fight over, when the barrage from EJr has ended. Fedotovs looked to have regained his composure and was getting back into the fight, even Eubank Jr looked surprised with is gloves by his side, suggesting he was not expecting that. The fight ended in a rather spectacular fashion and Fedotovs was refusing to lend his hand to the referee, by keeping his hands on his back as a form of disapproval of the ref’s decision.

Either way I expected a win for E Jr, so let’s see what 2013 brings for him. There are many more Boxing News 24 stories to come from him in the future.

On the main card was James DeGale now W14, KO9, L1, D0 versus 5-time former world title challenger Fulgencio Zuniga now W25, KO22, L7, D1.

This was a pretty good contest for DeGale, despite the fact his opponent was 35 yrs old and seen the best days behind him. Before fighting DeGale, Zuniga’s last two losses had come by unanimous decision. Despite the heavy points loss DeGale had a very durable opponent on his hands.

Round 1: DeGale starts controlling things with his jab and Zuniga just palms off the punches, looking to gain some rhythm in this fight, DeGale is looking the better man as he lands some decent shots whilst switching stances from Southpaw to Orthodox. This is a tactical manoeuvre just to see what Zuniga does, he does respond with good punches but they palm off DeGale’s gloves. 10-9 DeGale.

Round 2: DeGale keeps things at distance just unloading with the jab and following up with a tasty jab, hook, uppercut combo. At forst this is easy for Zuniga to handle, but he struggles with the constant barrage DeGale follows up with. Despite the punches Zuniga tries to come forward, having success at making DeGale’s back up as he seems to like to fight. DeGale is in control of this fight at 1:00 minute it looks like a knockdown but all Zuniga has done is slip. 10-9 DeGales.

Round 3: Much better from DeGale, really looking every bit a top fighter that he is. He trades partially with Zuniga but its DeGale who keeps landing the better shots. And on 0:32 seconds he lands the uppercut again that sends Zuniga to the floor for an eight count. Zuniga does get up and survives a brutal onslaught from DeGale, who should’ve ended this fight here and then if only he had 30 seconds more. 10-8 DeGale. The referee offered a talking point as he stopped the fight, because he supposedly may have heard a bell, this was when DeGale was really pressuring and hurting Zuniga. It might have cost him his early finish.

Round 4: DeGale is very confident from the previous round and starts showing it by trying to finish Zuniga with a few right uppercuts. Despite the punches having effect, Zuniga is still going. Zuniga always trying to get inside just cannot find his rhythm. DeGale is buzzing with confidence, despite the sorry site of him always boxing back footed. WHY DOES HE DO THIS WHEN WINNING SO EASILY? 10-9 DeGale

Round 5-6: Here DeGale is in total control, he’s won every round and has opponent well figured out by now. Things start to slow down here a bit, Zuniga is trying and trying but DeGale being 26 yrs old to his opponents 35 yrs old is just too fast for him. Zuniga is boxing well for a change and has at times DeGale on the ropes but in all the rounds Zuniga is hanging and looking for things to go his way. DeGale is out-boxing his opponent but you start to expect a bit of assertiveness from the much more aggressive younger DeGale. RD 5 & 6 10-9 DeGale.

Round 7-8: This is where Zuniga got a bit more assertive and DeGale was starting to step off the gas a bit. Despite being well behind on points at this time, Zuniga did up his work rate. His combo building was more effective and he did land a few telling shots to a well covering up DeGale. This is what DeGale needs for his development, Zuniga was pushing and pressing but DeGale was staying at times out of range and jabbing his opponent well. This continued for two rounds, Zuniga never really bothered DeGale with his efforts despite some good work in the combo building. But DeGale prepared well it never did any harm to himself except to his scorecard. RD 7-8 Zuniga 10-9.

Rounds 9-12: Jumping many round now but for the rest of the fight it was never really any contest, DeGale knew he was letting in an opponent who has fought at top level, was making some headway back into the fight and reasserted himself by doing what he did in the earlier round. DeGale jabbed and doubled up with the cross and kept his now starting to tire opponent at bay.

It was a very well rounded display from DeGale, Zuniga isn’t any WORLD BEATER but he has fought them. Round 10 – 12 I was egging DeGale on to finish his hard battling opponent. Zuniga landed once here and there but not the finishing shot he was looking for. The fight really stagnated from here, DeGale was winning on points and that was all this fight was going to finish on. I scored rounds 9-12 DeGale all 10-9

Despite the lack of a KO finish from DeGale he looked every bit comfortable at twelve rounds as I’ve ever seen him. When the fight was finished the score cards all had it as I did 118-109 as judge: Luca Montella 118-109 | judge: Freddy Rafn 118-109 | judge: Francisco Vazquez Marcos 118-109 source BOXREC.COM.

Final Say: Eubank Jr needs to keep fighting more regularly like he has done recently. I’m sure with much recent bouts he will become a contender for a British title maybe as soon as in the spring. DeGale looks even better than when he fought George Groves, my only problem is lack of ability to finish people when he has them hurt and is really dominating them. DeGale will be World Title contender but he will need to up his game to compete and face the likes of Andre Ward, Carl Froch and Arthur Abraham who are ranked above him.

Any comments welcome and criticism as long as it’s constructive.