James DeGale moved a step closer to a title shot after comfortably defending his WBC silver super middleweight crown with a unanimous points decision victory over Dyah Davis at Glow, Bluewater in Kent.

The 2008 Olympic gold medallist was dominant for the majority, although he had to recover from a slight lapse in the middle rounds to ensure a success he had claimed would be secured in style.

"I made a fast start. It was nice. I was a bit lazy and switched off a couple of times," he told Channel Five. "I'm not fully pleased to be honest. I maybe switched off a bit and got hit by a stupid shot. It's another 12 rounds under my belt. It was all right. I'm glad I stuck to my boxing. I could have been silly and come forward and got hit. I'm pleased I stood back. I'm learning, I'm still learning. He's an awkward opponent."