by Our Sports Desk

James DeGale made history by claiming the vacant IBF super-middleweight title with a thrilling unanimous decision victory over Andre Dirrell in Boston on Saturday.

DeGale has become the first person to win Olympic gold and a world crown in the professional ranks for Britain after withstanding a fierce comeback from his US opponent.

The Londoner appeared on course for a sensational early stoppage after dropping Dirrell twice in the second round, with the first knockdown coming from a brutal overhand left.

Dirrell weathered the storm in the early rounds as DeGale looked for the knockout and even came on strong in the second half of the fight.

But DeGale finished strongly and two judges scored the fight 114-112 in his favour, with the third of 117-109 seemingly a bit harsh on Dirrell.

It was a thrilling victory overseas from DeGale, who insists he is now second only to the unbeaten Andre Ward in the 168lb division.

After improving his record to 21-1 (14KOs), DeGale said: “I’ve finally done it. It’s an unbelievable feeling, I’m world champ. I made history.

“I will take on any super-middleweight in the world, I’m hard to beat when I’m at my best.

“(Dirrell) is a very, very good opponent, he’s very talented, he’s hard to beat, if anything it’s me and him second and third in the rankings. Andre Ward’s there and there’s me and him. There’s no other super-middleweight that would beat me on my day.”

The bout was for the belt vacated by DeGale’s compatriot Carl Froch, who handed Dirrell his only prior defeat in the paid ranks with a controversial points win in Nottingham in 2009.

“They say I ran from Froch and they took it away from me,” Dirrell said. “(DeGale) ran from me and they gave it to him.”