James DeGale is aiming to chop bitter rival George Groves down to size - with a punishing lumberjack training routine.

 

DeGale has been chopping dozens of logs under the watchful eye of top trainer Jimmy McDonnell at their Essex base.

 

And he believes it will give him the strength he needs to defeat Groves.

 

The pair meet in the biggest domestic showdown in recent years with the British and Commonwealth super-middleweight titles on the line at the O2 Arena, London, on May 21, live and exclusive on Sky Box Office.

 

Olympic Champion DeGale has entered his toughest training camp to date in a bid to be in the shape of his life when he defends his British title for the first time.

 

"Chopping logs is a bit old school, but it means my core strength will be fantastic come fight night," said DeGale.

 

"We're mixing some old fashioned training with some cutting edge stuff as well.

 

"And Jimmy is such a sadist when it comes to the gym there is no way that I will be cutting corners.

 

"The only thing I will be cutting is Groves down to size when we meet again on May 21.

 

"I'm going to take an axe to his ambitions of getting his hands on my British title.

 

"There's no way that he beats me in this fight.

 

"Not only are our titles on the line but pride is as well, and I can't have him taking my belt back to west London."

 

Ticket for This Is It are priced at:

 

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£200 - Floor

£150 - Floor/Tier

£100 - Tier

£80 - Tier

£50 - Tier

 

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