Lots of groans from Lucian Bute as he throws five quick shots to head and body, all get taken with some comfort by DeGale though. That flurry and its lack of damage may hurt Bute's confidence. There can be nothing worse than seeing your opponent just smile back at you.

DeGale goes on the attack with a combination of his own, fast, fast stuff. He ducks into a left hand though and as the ding, ding, ding arrives, DeGale's tongue is again out to mock Bute.

So how many of you have stayed up to watch this barnstormer of a fight? 

Tweet us your thoughts using #bbcboxing

Image source, Getty Images

We enter the championship rounds. These are the ones that matter. Again, the round starts with James DeGale circling the ring, allowing Lucian Bute the centre.

James DeGale has some very nice footwork to show off. Forward, backwards, sideways, he is comfortable in any corner of the ring. He is a Strictly Come Dancing contender in the making.

Work to do yet though as when briefly cornered, these home fans get excited. 

It's all getting absorbed though by DeGale who tried to go over the top of his rival's guard and another straight right is followed by a left hook to end the round nicely.

Image source, PA

Just 12 minutes to go in this one - James DeGale's first world title defence, remember. He's winning on our card.

Image source, Getty Images

"Start digging deep now and putting it together."

A four-shot combination from James DeGale, they are all a little slappy but still show work ethic. You get the feeling this is on if he steps it up a little and these last four or five rounds are the time.

He backtracks and stops in his tracks to spring forward with a right. Good, organised boxing from DeGale. He screams that he is in control.

Lucian Bute's back has barely touched the ropes, he is the man taking the centre of the ring a lot but James DeGale is happy for it to happen. He seems to want tempt his man on and then unload, back, a big left hits Bute flush in the face.

The right uppercut is a key shot for James DeGale. When he is in close it's on time after time and with 90 seconds of the seventh left, he lands it. Boom.

A show of anger from Lucian Bute as he pushes his man back to the ropes but he cannot build on it and two right hands in combination get DeGale out of trouble, his power blasted through his opponent there.

There's no doubting who looks the more relaxed - DeGale is willing to get backed up and dance his way free. All it takes is one shot to catch him though...

How concerned will James DeGale be about that cut? It must be on his mind.

He's on the back foot a little which is risky when you're fighting away from home. Forward comes Lucian Bute, his confidence has grown and grown.

A cracking left hook from James DeGale. Wow, that hit like a hammer. Just as Lucian Bute committed to a right hand he left and opening and wallop, it was taken up by DeGale.

Much better. He gets into the pocket, nice and close, uppercut, uppercut, two of them were rapid an had a heap of power behind them. Some showmanship at the end of the round. That one is DeGale's, no question. No more damage to the cut either, a good three minutes.

Image source, Getty Images

James DeGale has a worrying cut above his left eye which needs some work. It appears it was caused by an accidental headbutt. This is a big round, he has to stop Lucian Bute's recent success...

Image source, AP

"This guy is running away."

We have a change in momentum suddenly. James DeGale finds himself on the ropes and some quickfire combinations from Lucian Bute will sap the champion a little.

"BUTE, BUTE, BUTE," we hear the crowd chant. Left, right, left, all onto the guard of DeGale. The confidence is growing for Bute and even having his head jerked back by a straight right doesn't thwart him, he finishes the closing seconds by backing DeGale up again.

Image source, AP

So we'd probably say three one in the scoring to James DeGale. Aright hand jab slaps the guard of Lucian Bute early in the fifth.

Lots of instruction coming from the Lucian Bute corner. James DeGale shows his energy though, dancing around his man and offloading with little impact.

Again Bute basically asks if Chunky has any more and suddenly he has his man a little worried, backing him to the ropes and landing shots which draw a roar from the crowd. That will prickle the judges' interest and this is a clear round for the challenger.

As the bell rings DeGale pokes his tongue out cheekily. That's a show of defiance, he lost that round clearly.

James DeGale can be encouraged with his start, he's on top. Sometimes the IBF world champion is described as a lazy fighter though, he just does enough. So will the foot come off the gas? A minute into round four and it's a closed shop, less action...

Image source, AP