Hearn: Groves Should Pass on Dirrell, Face DeGale

By Edward Chaykovsky

Super middleweight contender George Groves (21-2, 16KOs) is the mandatory challenger to WBC champion Anthony Dirrell. The World Boxing Council has given permission to Dirrell to have a voluntary defense in February. After that voluntary, Dirrell will have to face Groves next.

In the opinion of promoter Barry Hearn of Matchroom Sport, Groves should pass on the shot at Dirrell and instead take part in a far more lucrative opportunity with a rematch against domestic rival James DeGale (20-1, 14KOs).  

Groves handed DeGale his first career defeat with a close decision in 2010. Since that fight, the two boxers have taken digs at each other in the press. In November, both fighters were part of the Bellew-Cleverly undercard in Liverpool. There was a confrontation between them backstage, which shot their rivalry back in the spotlight.

"What's George Groves going to do? Is he going to go the WBC route...for modest money in a tough fight against Dirrell...which he may not win....or does he stay on the domestic scene and help us be part of this mega-rivalry with DeGale? Callum Smith is coming up on the outside, a very talented youngster. There is an awful lot of activity [at 168 in the UK]," Hearn told Seconds Out.