BROOKLYN - The No. 1 and No. 2-ranked super middleweights in the world met in a unification to determine the world's best 168-pound fighter Saturday on SHOWTIME.  After two knockdowns and 12 intense, back-and-forth rounds, the distinction as the world's best super middleweight is still up for grabs. Photos by Tom Casino, MP, DiBella Ent.

WBC champion Badou Jack (20-1-3, 12 KOs)and IBF titlist James DeGale (23-1-1, 14 KOs) fought to a 12-round majority draw in the main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING in front of 10,128 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.  The bout was scored 114-112 (DeGale) and 113-113 twice, and the only clear winner was the sport of boxing and its fans.

jack-degale-fight (3)

Britain's DeGale, making the third defense of his IBF belt, started the drama by flooring Jack with a jab with 30 seconds left in the first round.  But it was back and forth from there in a highly skilled, closely contested battle between the consensus best in the weight class and in the eighth unification bout in division history.

jack-degale-fight (2)

Jack, making his third title defense, was more effective on the inside and more active, throwing 745 total punches vs. DeGale's 617.

degale-jack-fight (8)

The pivotal moment in the fight occurred when Jack floored DeGale for the first time in his career with a left-right combo punch midway through the 12th and final round.  Without the 10-8 round, DeGale would have won a unanimous decision.

degale-jack-fight (2)

"I thought I won the fight. I finished stronger," Jack said.  "His knockdown was a flash knockdown. I won the fight.  He was doing a lot of running. He was throwing a lot of shit at my guard.

jack-degale-fight (7) 

"Let's do it again at light heavyweight. It's time to move to light heavyweight."

DeGale countered: "I've got huge respect for this man, but I thought I won that.  I landed the cleanest shots.  Let's do it again.  Let's do it again in London.

"He hit me (in the 12th), but I was more off balance.  I respect him.  He's a good, all-around fighter.  Let's go again."

jack-degale-fight (4)

jack-degale-fight (1)

degale-jack-fight (11)

degale-jack-fight (12)

degale-jack-fight (10)

degale-jack-fight (6)

degale-jack-fight (9)

degale-jack-fight (7)

degale-jack-fight (3)

degale-jack-fight (14)

degale-jack-fight (5)

degale-jack-fight (4)

degale-jack-fight (15)

degale-jack-fight (13)