By James Slater – With so much at stake, it was thought by many good judges that unbeaten talents James DeGale and George Groves would wait until one of the promising Brits held a major title before facing one another. A great all-British fight that had “all in good time” written all over it, DeGale-Groves was expected to grow and grow before finally taking place..
However, according to the BBB of C’s latest release of fights either set or to go to purse bids, the grudge-match between the unbeaten would-be stars of the future will go down sooner rather than later. According to the BBB of C’s press release (as published by Boxrec), the mouth-watering showdown will go to purse bids by February 9th, with the fight to take place by the end of April.
A genuine 50-50 affair, it would take a brave fan to put any substantial money on the outcome of this fight. 24-year-old southpaw DeGale, the 2008 Olympic gold medallist, has looked quite sensational as a pro – winning nine in a row, all but two by stoppage. Already having captured the British super-middle title, “Chunky” has absolutely no doubts he will see off “that ugly ginger kid” Groves.
But Groves, two years the younger man and the holder of the Commonwealth 168-pound title, is as confident and as cocky as is DeGale. Now 11-0(9) as a pro, the David Haye-promoted talent is as sure as DeGale is when it comes to the outcome of the forthcoming clash. Both guys have been calling each other out for a while now, and neither guy has blinked as the fight has got closer and closer.
Groves, it must be said, struggled in his last fight; his November, 6th-round TKO win over the game and dangerous Kenny Anderson – and critics jumped all over the hot prospect as a result. But Groves came through some rough patches in the middle rounds of that fight and got himself a character building victory. Will the fact that Groves has been through a mini-crisis and emerged with his unbeaten record intact prove to be a big factor in the clash with DeGale?
DeGale has yet to be tested, winning all nine of his pro outings with relative ease. Groves and his team believe the former Olympian will not know what to do when he is hurt and knocked off his game-plan; as will happen when the two unbeaten hopes collide.
No doubt, this in-the-works fight will be the acid test for both men. Groves is a fast, ultra-competent boxer/puncher, while DeGale is a fast-handed boxer with seemingly awesome punch power. Groves has proven he has a chin; while DeGale has yet to be tested in that department. Neither man has been extended beyond nine-rounds.
We have yet to be informed of the exact date and venue of this potentially huge (in Britain) showdown, but it is assumed both men’s titles will be on the line and therefore the bout will be schedule for 12-rounds. Will both fighters be pushed further and harder than ever before; or will the next British superstar emerge via a dominant, perhaps quick win?
One thing is for sure: this fight will attract some huge crowd and T.V audience! Credit must go to both men if the fight actually happens as soon as this year. Definitely one to look forward to!