British super-middleweight James DeGale has defeated Gevorg Khatchikian inside 11 rounds to retain his WBC silver title.
DeGale had been using the fight as a warm-up bout before a final eliminator for the main WBC strap, but that contest has been scrapped after opponent Badou Jack was surprisingly stopped inside the first round of a similar encounter with Dereck Edwards on Friday.
That result left DeGale heading into the showdown with Khatchikian knowing that a win could potentially put him in line to face champion Sakio Bika in the summer, and the former Olympic gold medalist dominated the first half of the fight.
However, Khatchikian, who came into the match undefeated, troubled DeGale in the sixth before the Brit regained control and looked for the finish.
The 28-year-old dropped Khatchikian in the penultimate round, and although the Dutchman got back on his feet, DeGale brought the fight to an end just before the bell to record his 18th win in 19th professional encounters.
