DeGale Says Groves Rematch Requires World Titles

By Terence Dooley

James DeGale MBE, 20-1 (14), believes that there is more than just the vacant IBF 168lb title on the line when he travels to Boston's Agganis Arena to face Andre Dirrell, 24-1 (16), on May 23.  The 29-year-old Londoner has said that a title win could put him on the road to redemption, as long as long-time domestic rival George Groves manages to net a world title of his own.

Groves out-pointed DeGale in 2011—the 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist’s sole professional defeat—and went on to challenge Carl Froch for the WBA and IBF Super middleweight titles (lost TKO 9 and KO 8 respectively).  If the "Saint" can make it third time lucky at world level a second showdown is inevitable, according to "Chunky".

“It's all about when he's going to get his shot,” DeGale told the Burton Mail.  “He's going for the WBC belt, but when will he get his shot?  He hasn't announced his fight, I've announced mine and I'm ready.  But yeah, that's a massive potential fight between me and George Groves, hopefully, he goes on and wins a world title, I go and win mine, and for Great Britain it would be a massive unification fight.”

He added: “Our history goes back.  It's not just as professionals, we go back 13-14 years boxing at the same amateur club.  It would be nice to get my revenge as obviously he beat me in 2011, so it would nice to get my revenge and shut 'ugly kid' up!”

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