DEGALE’S TOUGHEST DETEST
IBF champ James: Bitter Groves envies me
JAMES DEGALE claims big rival George Groves is jealous of him.
DeGale has a third fight with Groves in his sights, as he prepares to make his comeback after 11 months out injured tonight, against Caleb Truax at London’s Copper Box Arena.
The IBF super-middleweight king, and 2008 Olympic gold medallist, reckons WBA title-holder Groves has been envious of him since they were amateurs together, at Dale Youth Boxing Club. “He’s jealous, he hates what I’ve achieved,” said DeGale, 31.
“He thinks I’m no good, but my resume speaks for itself.”
Groves, 29, has two wins over DeGale as an amateur and professional, and a third contest is on hold, while he participates in the World Boxing Super Series.
He faces Chris Eubank Jr in the semi-finals on February 17, with Callum Smith contesting the other semi.
DeGale says he wants three fights in 2018 to make up for lost time, and believes fighting his domestic rivals would bring back memories of the golden era of Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank Sr and Steve Collins. “The public love those big fights,” he said. “You go back to the Benn, Eubank, Collins days and everyone relishes those big domestic clashes.
“We’ve got some real world-class fighters at super-middleweight. Smith’s on the verge of boxing for world titles and then Eubank Jr is another good fight for me.”
DeGale must first take care of US fighter Truax (with DeGale and Frank Warren, left), who unsuccessfully challenged Daniel Jacobs for the WBA crown in 2015, in his first fight in the UK for three years.
“This is a big one, as he’s not necessarily a world-class elite fighter, but still world class,” London-born DeGale added.
“These are the danger fighters and he has a chance to prove himself. I have to be disciplined.” DeGale v Truax is live on BT Sport from 10pm tonight