George Groves has conducted his first sit-down interview since losing in his WBC 168 lb title challenge to Badou Jack on last month’s Mayweather/Berto undercard, using the opportunity to put the boot into bitter rival James DeGale, claiming that he will ‘always have his number.’
Following the loss to Jack, Groves deleted his social media accounts and parted for good from trainer Paddy Fitzpatrick, although now he has had a month to reflect, appeared to be using a bit of reverse psychology regarding old foe DeGale, claiming he was in ‘no rush’ to land a fight with the IBF super middleweight champion.
Groves edged DeGale in 2011, in a close fight that has seen both men embark on a rollercoaster ride since, with Groves eventually beaten in back-to-back world challenges to Carl Froch, and DeGale reduced to boxing in shopping centres under Mick Hennessy, before re-emerging as a force under Matchroom, signing with Al Haymon, and winning his own world crown against Andre Dirrell back in May.
“He can go on to be the greatest British fighter we’ve ever had, but he will still never beat me. I’ve got his number,” Groves said to Sky Sports about his rival, whom he also beat in their amateur days before DeGale went on to 2008 Olympic gold.
“I’ll fight James DeGale when I am ready; not physically ready, but when I want it, because I’ve beaten him twice already. I said it when we were kids – although not many were listening – and for the last fight, I told a lot of people: I’ve got his number.”
DeGale goes back out to North America in November to make the maiden defence of his title, this time to Canada to face former champion Lucien Bute in Quebec – his second appearance on Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions brand after May’s Dirrell win in Boston, US.
Much had been made of a potential unification fight between the two Brits should Groves have emerged victorious against Badou Jack, although despite the shine being taken off any clash slightly with the loss, DeGale himself has stated that he would entertain the idea in the future if there were sufficient demand for it from the public.
“Now he’s [DeGale] sitting there with a world championship belt, and it ain’t over [between us] yet,” Groves added. “I’ve just dropped a split decision in Vegas for the world championship, he’s just won a decision in Boston, against an American for the belt… there’s a whisker between us right now.”
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