DeGale: Groves Should Drop WBA Shot, Fight Me For The IBF!

By Elliot Foster

James DeGale recently arrived back in the UK after last weekend’s fight against Badou Jack.

The Hammersmith man, now based in St Albans, retained his IBF super-middleweight world title as he battled to a majority draw with the Swedish-born WBC king in their unification showdown.

DeGale, who is now 23-1-1 with 14 early endings, was subject to interest from Jack’s promoter in the aftermath of the fight, with Floyd Mayweather keen to sign the 30-year-old free agent whose deal with Matchroom Boxing has now expired.

But he is keen to continue his working relationship with Eddie Hearn, the Matchroom boss, and has called on him to help him participate in the biggest fights.

“I’m still the champ,” DeGale told Sky Sports on Wednesday. “I want to box in the big fights now.

“I’ve been boxing for a long time –– 20 years –– and I’ve been world champion for the past year-and-a-half.

“I want the big fights, the big money. Boxing is a hard sport and I don’t want to be in it for too long but I’m willing to fight anyone.

“Whoever the boxing people in Great Britain want to see me fight, I’m willing to do it.”

DeGale had his eyes firmly set on Callum Smith had he have been victorious against Jack in New York.

Smith, 26, holds the WBC Silver super-middleweight title and is mandatory challenger to the sanctioning body’s full title.

But although Jack –– who has designs on moving up to light-heavyweight –– still holds the prestigious green and gold title, DeGale believes a showdown between him and ‘Mundo’ could still happen.

“One hundred per cent [I would like to fight Callum Smith],” DeGale continued. “It’s a massive fight but it’s a bit difficult because I’m very good friends with his brother [Stephen, who he knows from their amateur days], but we can stick it aside.

“We’re both ambitious young fighters and I think it would be a good one. It’s a hell of a fight.”

One fight DeGale is keen to happen in the not-too-distant future is the return in the paid code against George Groves.

Groves is set for a mandatory shot against Fedor Chudinov later this year, but DeGale reckons he’d be better off fighting him for the IBF belt.

“He’s been running his mouth and is meant to be boxing for the WBA title,” DeGale said. “It’s easier to fight me at the O2 or the Emirates Stadium for the IBF.

“He’ll make money, I’ll make money, so let’s do it. History goes back with me and George Groves but I’m mature, I’ve got a lot older and he doesn’t bother me.

“I’ve left him, he’s choking on my dust and I’m happy with what I’m doing. It’s time to get Eddie Hearn to speak to his promoters [Sauerland Event] and we’ll move forward, but that’s a massive fight.”

While in the studios at Sky, DeGale was asked of his verdict on his aforementioned fight against Jack.

Two of the three scoring ringside judges had it level while one gave it to the man who hasn’t boxed in the UK since November 2014.

He said: “I watched the fight back last night, twice, and I gave myself five of the first six rounds. I still think I won.

“I won by a couple of rounds, plus the knockdown. I finished it better, I had a good round 10 and 11 and I definitely won the fight.

“I’ve asked for the rematch and he’s [Badou Jack is] looking for every excuse, he doesn’t want to fight me.”