By James Slater – More on the possibility of a James DeGale-George Groves “grudge-fight.” It has been reported by ESPN.co.uk that a contract has been sent out to George Groves, a contract he will receive on Monday, with a “good money” offer for him to get it on with his former amateur rival on December 11th.
DeGale, who lost to Groves when both were budding amateur stars, went on to capture a gold medal in Beijing in 2008, and last night he won his most important pro fight yet, in crushing the experienced Carl Dilks inside a round in a British super-middleweight title fight eliminator.. However, as much as “Chunky” wants to win the British belt, he wants Groves next. Groves, two years younger than DeGale at age 22, has also looked sensational in his initial pro outings. Having had a couple more wins than DeGale, at 10-0(8), Groves has already won the Commonwealth title.
Most experts, when the initial calling out by the two hot prospects first began, felt the fight would be allowed to build until both men were established stars. But now DeGale and his promoter Frank Warren are willing to rush the fight and make it in December of this year.
“I want to fight again as soon as I can and December 11 sounds great to me – as long as Groves is in the opposite corner,” DeGale said. “He has been shouting his mouth off but let’s see now if he wants to do his talking in the ring with me coming at him. Let’s just do this. Let’s get it out of the way now. Let me knock him out now.”
DeGale revealed how a good offer has been sent to Groves.
“Hopefully he takes it,” he continued. “I’m told he will get a contract on Monday offering him good money, so December 11, let’s do this.”
A genuinely mouth-watering “Battle of the Prospects” match, this one could go either way. Both men are fast, powerful and filled with genuine confidence (some would say cockiness in DeGale’s case!). And both men are of the belief that they are destined for greatness. DeGale says that if it were up to him he’d be boxing for a world title very, very soon. Groves, promoted by David Haye’s Hayemaker group, is only slightly less vocal.
Will Groves bite and accept the undisclosed offer? If so, December 11th in London (probably at the EXCEL Arena) will be some top night for British boxing fans!