The way Groves is looking lately, I think he would stop DeGale in a rematch and does look like he's knocking on the door of world-class. DeGale is also stupidly making noises about fighting the Froch's and Ward's of this world too now, even tho he's now fighting nobodies in front of 500 people who don't know who he is in Canada...
So I was thinking, Hearn should dangle the carrot of a fight with Froch and make Groves Vs DeGale II at the O2 again. I think it would be a massive seller and another big night of domestic fights.
I went to the first one and would definitely buy a ticket for this... Mainly in the hope of seeing DeGale get sparked out.
I'd be super-surprised (but delighted) if these two get to fight each other to earn a shot at Carl. It is a top-level world title eliminator fight but I don't think Carl will oblige them because he wants to settle matters with Ward or become a two-weight champ by fighting Cleverly for the WBO LH belt.
A fight with Hopkins might also be further up the pecking order.....some big B-Hop cash is what you want when you're a 35 year-old super-middleweight not that far away from retirement.
DeGale has been in-and-out since his loss to George. He'd did a proper number on Sanavia - hitting sharply and moving well to win the European belt - but then looked lazy and sloppy against the caveman basic but game Mohoumadi in his first defence.
I still can't work out whether James is a fighter who is hugely talented and improving - and sometimes ljust happens to look bad in 'marking time' fights - or is a few yards short of world class and lacking in the consistency stakes.
My money is on Groves grabbing a belt first and the rematch with DeGale happening sometime in the summer of 2014.
There could be a way to make the biggest fight ever in England with a mixture of these guys (albeit in a fantasy world)
De Gale vs winner of Bika / Periban - WBC Title
Groves vs Stieglitz - WBO Title
De Gale vs Groves - WBO / WBC
Winner vs Froch
... If only!
Yea the WBC have a nasty habit of not allowing unifications for very long, especially with the IBF
Why would I be happy he's fading away?
:lol1:
The exposure on channel 5 is enough of a good reason for DeGale to be with Hennessy. The matchmaking has been good too and he's come along a lot faster than what Warren was bringing him at.
He's only been with Hennessy since September of last year and recently fought in Canada against Demers. I can't see how the move would be considered bad.
Sorry, I haven't read your autobiography yet, should I know the famous D-MiZe is a degale fan?? lol
Anyway fair enough... I'd have to disagree with your points tho. Last fight on C5 got cancelled with no sign of him being on there again anytime soon and his last fight was on Wealth TV. Also Demers had lost his last 3 fights, and only fought 4 times since 2010, so don't think that was a big win.
Personally, if they fought again, I say Groves stops Degale mid-rounds.
DeGale going to Hennessy is the best thing that could've happened to him.
Interesting... Is that coz you're happy he's fading away or coz you think it's a good move?
Going to C5 for exposure didn't really work out for him then, coz hardly anyone I know other than big boxing fans watches.
I definitely don't think degale has improved since the Groves fight tho... I think you can see marked progression in Groves, from his stance to his power you can really see the Haye/Booth influence coming through now too. Degale trains in his own gym with a trainer who talks about him like the second coming of Sugar Ray Robinson, its not a good look for a young fighter tryna evolve.
Also Degale has improved quite a lot since the first fight. I'm not even a huge degle fan but always end up having to defend him on these boards. He's struggled with promoters for a long time now but other than that he's doing well. If Hennessy can get him a good world level fight (bearing in mind he is still under 20 fights i think) then that really isn't a bad showing from degale.
Yeah true.. I reckon Eubank Jr will be the next to look to jump over to Matchroom.
Everything you said about DeGale is sad but true too. Probs only went with Hennessey coz he was the only one who massaged his ego and told him what he wanted to hear...
He went with hennessy for exposure on c5.
Other than his last fight degale has been fighting tougher opponents recently than Groves. Just putting it out there...
Not sure how a rematch goes tbh but i agree with weebler that a fight against a proven guy like stieglitz is in order for both. Even Abraham despite losing would be a good benchmark.
I thought Groves-DeGale was a 50/50, I had it a draw or maybe even for DeGale, but he's got worse while Groves has kept improving.
Yeah true.. I reckon Eubank Jr will be the next to look to jump over to Matchroom.
Everything you said about DeGale is sad but true too. Probs only went with Hennessey coz he was the only one who massaged his ego and told him what he wanted to hear...
DeGale's career is in a bad way, as was expected the moment he signed up with Hennessy.
He's in meaningless fights, is regressing as a fighter, is becoming very much unknown and it's showing no sign of improving.
Be ir Carl Froch, Darren Barker, Murray...his better fighters tend to jump ship because he can't get them big fights or any kind of support.
I thought Groves-DeGale was a 50/50, I had it a draw or maybe even for DeGale, but he's got worse while Groves has kept improving.
There could be a way to make the biggest fight ever in England with a mixture of these guys (albeit in a fantasy world)
De Gale vs winner of Bika / Periban - WBC Title
Groves vs Stieglitz - WBO Title
De Gale vs Groves - WBO / WBC
Winner vs Froch
... If only!
Now we're talking!! The Groves part of that is probably a stong possibility too... Shame I can't see Fat Mick delivering Degale that Bika-Periban winner, and not even sure DeGale would beat either anyway.
But yeah, Groves-DeGale II in a world title unification would be MASSIVE in Lodnon.
There could be a way to make the biggest fight ever in England with a mixture of these guys (albeit in a fantasy world)
De Gale vs winner of Bika / Periban - WBC Title
Groves vs Stieglitz - WBO Title
De Gale vs Groves - WBO / WBC
Winner vs Froch
... If only!
DeGale is talking about wanting Ward and Froch but it feels hollow, like he doesn't really want them. There's a bit of the Andre Dirrells about DeGale.
I don't think these two fighting each other proves much in terms of getting Froch, they should have to beat someone like Stieglitz imo.
Yeah I do agree with what you've said there really.. I just want to see Groves KO DeGale and end what little hype he has left. I also think Hearn could put on a massive show full of "up & comers" with his stable now.
Saying that I wouldn't complain at a Groves Vs Steiglitz fight at all.
DeGale made a stinker moving over to Hennessy. Haven't seen a single one of his fights since then.
I'd be fine with a rematch and the winner gets Froch. They are both ranked in the top 10 by most bodies, so don't see a problem with that.
But would rather just have groves fight Stieglitz, then the winner of that fight gets Froch in a big unification fight.
DeGale is talking about wanting Ward and Froch but it feels hollow, like he doesn't really want them. There's a bit of the Andre Dirrells about DeGale.
I don't think these two fighting each other proves much in terms of getting Froch, they should have to beat someone like Stieglitz imo.
13y ago
Groves vs DeGale II... Winner gets a crack at Froch | BoxingScene Community