By Mark Vester
Super middleweight James DeGale says the British rivalry between him and George Groves is far worse than the bad blood which previously existed between heavyweights David Haye and Audley Harrison. DeGale says he won't fall short like Audley by getting blown away in three lackluster rounds. He plans to back up his big talk by punishing Groves and then knocking him out badly. Their fight takes place on May 21 at the O2 Arena in London.
"There is no love lost," DeGale told Sky Sports News. "I am not here to like George Groves and he is not here to like me. The rivalry goes back years, it is genuine and we dislike each other and we will sort it out on May 21st."
"I am not like Audley one bit. I have got the heart to play the part, I don't think Audley had that. I have had no one to test me, but believe me when I say I have plenty of heart and plenty of bottle. I have not had to show it and I don't think I will have to show it against Groves as he will be knocked out. If anything it (rivalry) is a bit worse than Audley and Haye. It is not for the cameras. Ugly Kid (Groves) don't like me, I don't like Ugly Kid."
DeGale is convinced that Groves is going to fall before the distance. He doesn't see any scenario where Groves is going to make it to the final round.
"He is good, he is 12-0 with 10 knockouts," De Gale said. "He has decent power and is a good fighter, but he has a lot of flaws. He leaves his chin up in the air, he has got a wide defence and he thinks he is David Haye. I know he is going to get knocked out. He needs help, he needs to work on that defence. I just hope he has had a great camp and been training hard as I don't want any excuses."