DeGale wants Groves next – Maccarinelli to stay in boxing as a promoter

James Degale

No sooner had James DeGale blew out of Carl Dilks inside a round in Birmingham last night, his thoughts had turned to his next fight and rival George Groves.

Saturday’s win over Dilks was an eliminator for the British super-middleweight title, currently held by Liverpool’s Paul Smith and that match up would promise to be interesting.

But the only fight in the mind of DeGale is his rival and amateur Nemesis Groves, who defeated DeGale in the unpaid ranks.
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Although DeGale finished the amateur game as an Olympic gold medalist and a two time ABA champion, he still feels there is unfinished business with Groves, who he calls ‘the ugly ginger kid’

The history of ill-feeling between the two only stokes the boxing flames, in a proposed fight between two of British boxing’s brightest prospects, and Warren will apparently make Groves a written offer to tackle DeGale on December 11 in London, on a bumper boxing show to celebrate his 30 years as a boxing promoter.

Warren’s offer to Groves is more than welcomed by DeGale and he hopes that he and Hayemaker promotions his backers will accept it and send it back signed to get this grudge match on.

“It is personal between me and Groves,” said DeGale.

“He has achieved absolutely nothing and will achieve even less when he gets in the ring with me.

“I don’t like him and he doesn’t like me so I hope when the offer from my promoter Frank Warren lands on his mat on Monday morning he will sign it and send it back.

“Groves beat me as an amateur but I still got the nod and went to the Beijing Games to come back with a gold medal.”

After Enzo Maccarinelli’s devastating knockout defeat on Saturday night, when he was knocked unconscious by Alexander Frenkel, it is hoped that the Welshman will now retire from the ring.

Maccarinelli (right) though could still stay in the game as a promoter, working alongside Frank Warren, promoting shows for him in Wales.

“Enzo has shown great personal loyalty to me over the years, and I would like give him something back in return,” said Warren.

“I want him to promote shows with me in Wales.Enzo is one of the nicest guys you could hope to meet, and he is a great ambassador for boxing.”