GROVES TAUNTS OLD FOE
GEORGE GROVES is out to prove he is the best super-middleweight in the division after finally winning a world title at the fourth attempt.
But the Londoner warned his old rival and current IBF champion James DeGale that he will only give him a rematch if the deal is right.
Groves, 29, stopped Russian Fedor Chudinov in the sixth round of a bruising battle at Bramall Lane on Saturday night.
And after losing twice to former IBF and WBA champion Carl Froch, as well as being beaten on points to ex-WBC title holder Badou Jack, Groves finally achieved his dream.
“I am still waiting for the true feelings of a world champion to kick in, I feel numb,” said Groves, who dedicated the world title to Eduard Gutknecht after he was left needing life-long care following their fight in November.
“A life’s work was achieved. I was seven years old when I first dreamed of becoming a world champion.
“It’s been a long, hard road. I made mistakes and made it hard for myself but all of that combined has made it a lot more sweet now. Now I have to find ® some new goals and achieve so much more. I can put the demons to bed.”
The focus will be on whether Groves will face fellow Londoner and former amateur gym-mate DeGale, who he beat in 2011 as a pro and in 2007 as an amateur.
Split
Groves’ promoter Kalle Sauerland believes the fight could headline a big Wembley Stadium card next summer and revealed talks took place for the pair to meet before his man got a shot at Chudinov.
But there were disagreements over the purse split and Groves warned DeGale the only way he will fight him again is if he gets the deal he wants. He said: “I’m world champion and can have any fight I want. Maybe I’ll beat my old mate James, that’s always a comfortable one.
“Ultimately, we both have a super fight if we fight each other. If we don’t, then we can both be involved in big fights but not a super fight. We will see.
“I’m not really that fussed about fighting DeGale, I want to enjoy my world title first.
“I’m sure I’ll beat him again but the deal has to be right for me.
“If it’s not, then we can wait until next year or a bit longer. He’s the one ready to cash out, he’s the one saying he doesn’t want to fight anymore.
“I don’t think it’s an easy one to make against DeGale because he is not an easy person to deal with.”