CHICAGO - Sweden's Badou Jack claimed the World Boxing Council's super middleweight title as he outpointed previously unbeaten Anthony Dirrell at the UIC Pavilion arena.
Sweden's Badou Jack (L) connects with Anthony Dirrell of the US during their super middleweight fight, at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Illinois, on April 24, 2015
The 31-year-old Jack Friday night received winning scores of 116-112 and 115-113, while the third judge scored it a 114-114 draw.
Jack, who fights out of Las Vegas, easily won the ninth round and appeared to be the fresher of the two fighters in the later rounds.
Jack improved to 19-1-1 while Dirrell dropped to 27-1-1.
Jack has won three consecutive fights after being stopped in the opening round by Derek Edwards last year.
American Dirrell won the title in August with a hard fought decision over Sakio Bika.
Dirrell, 30, had to put his boxing career on hold for 20 months after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma.