James DeGale maintains a controversial points defeat against bitter rival George Groves is "totally out of my system" as he aims to become European super-middleweight champion next month.

The 2008 Olympic gold medalist suffered a potentially damaging first professional loss when he slipped to a disputed majority decision defeat to British and Commonwealth title holder Groves in May.

However, shrewd manager and promoter Frank Warren secured DeGale, 25, a shot at Poland's Piotr Wilczewski in a bout which will take place at the Liverpool Echo Arena on 15 October.

It will, however, be no walk in the park against the experienced Pole, ranked two in the world by the WBO and with just one defeat from his 30 fights.

"The Groves fight is totally out of my system and I'm totally focused on becoming European champion," DeGale told a news conference.

"It's against a guy who will come to fight.

"He is a tough guy, but technically good as well. This will be by far the toughest fight of my career."

DeGale will fight on the undercard of Nathan Cleverly's WBO light-heavyweight title defence against local favourite Tony Bellew.

Warren said: "We originally planned to have James' fight in London, but I want him in there as soon as possible and this was the best way.

"If he wins this European title - which I believe he will - then I want him to fight again before the end of the year.

"That wouldn't have been possible if we had waited until the end of October to have this fight."

Tags: James DeGale , Piotr Wilczewski , DeGale-Wilczewski , DeGale vs Wilczewski