James DeGale wins super middlewight title in thrilling victory over Andre Dirrell

The victorious London boxer said he had 'made history'

James DeGale throws a right at Andre Dirrell during their super middleweight fight at Agganis Arena at Boston University on May 23, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

James DeGale has become the first British boxer to win both an Olympic gold medal and a professional world title, after beating Andre Dirrell in Boston yesterday.

DeGale beat Dirrell on points after a unanimous decision by the judges, receiving winning scores of 114-112 from judges Dan Fitzgerald and Howard Foster, and 117-105 from Alan Davis.

DeGale's victory at the Agganis Arena in Boston, Massachusetts, claimed him the vacant International Boxing Federation super middleweight title.

The London boxer improved to 21-1, while Dirrell, from Flint, Michigan, dropped to 24-2.

After his stunning victory, the 2008 Olympic champion said: "I am speechless."

James DeGale knocks down Andre Dirrell during their fight for the super middleweight title. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

"My whole career has been leading up to this, winning a world title. It's an unbelieveable feeling. I made history."

Although he received a cut to the face early in the second round, DeGale managed to floor Dirrell twice in the same round.

In the final seconds of the sixth round, DeGale forced Dirrell to double over when he landed a right hook to the head and a left to the body.

James DeGale celebrates his win over Andre Dirrell with promoter Eddie Hearn. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Dirrell briefly came back in the seventh round, landing blows on DeGale, causing him to step back on three occasions.

By the ninth round, the fighters were taunting each other and fighting defensively.

Near the end of the tenth, Dirrell landed a right to DeGale's body and pushed him back into the ropes.

Fighting for the first time in the United States, the 31-year-old DeGale landed 115 of 400 punches. Dirrell connected on 111 of 488.

The victory makes DeGale the sixth current world champion from the UK.