GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- North Dakota native Virgil Hill claimed a world title for the fifth time by winning the vacant International Boxing Council title with a unanimous decision over Boston's Joey DeGrandis on Sunday.

Hill, 38, used his significant height and reach advantage in the 12-round bout, held before 3,500 at Ralph Engelstad Arena.

''We knew Joey was going to be a tough customer,'' Hill said. ''To beat a guy like that, you've got to be in good shape. He didn't really give me anything.''

The fight was billed as ''Rumble at the Ralph,'' but there were few powerful exchanges between the two fighters. Instead, the 6-foot-1½ Hill dominated with left jabs and kept the 5-10 DeGrandis at bay with a whopping 12-inch reach advantage.

''I couldn't get inside ... so I didn't give him an opportunity to hurt me,'' DeGrandis said. ''I was on my toes. I didn't want to make a mistake.''

DeGrandis, a self-proclaimed brawler, threw wild, off-balance punches on several occasions while trying to find openings against Hill. DeGrandis said Hill's speed kept him in a defensive posture.

''Maybe if I fought in a telephone booth it would be different,'' DeGrandis said. ''Styles make fights. Virgil is the best boxer in the world and I just couldn't adapt to that style.''

The win was the 48th for Hill against four losses.

''We knew he (DeGrandis) was going to be there for 12 rounds,'' said Bill Sorensen, Hill's manager. ''He just doesn't quit.''

Hill said before the fight that he would probably retire if he lost to DeGrandis.

''I'm a realist,'' Hill said. ''Every fight that I fight is critical.''

Hill, who grew up in Grand Forks and went to high school in Williston, is undefeated in his home state. He knocked out Carlos Bates in the first round in his last fight, on Aug. 23 in New Town.

The loss was the third in the last four fights for DeGrandis, 33. He also lost bouts for the World Boxing Organization light heavyweight title on April 20 and the United States Boxing Organization cruiserweight crown on Sept. 27.

DeGrandis' record fell to 30-7.