Thursday 22 February 2018 10:57, UK
George Groves says negotiations will be "difficult" for a future domestic clash with James DeGale as his British rival's value has "diminished significantly".
The WBA 'super' champion convincingly defeated Chris Eubank Jr on points to reach the final of the World Boxing Super Series and awaits the winner of Saturday's other semi-final between fellow British fighter Callum Smith and late replacement Nieky Holzken in Nuremberg.
A rematch with DeGale, who he defeated in 2011, remains a possible option for Groves after the super-middleweight tournament, but the 29-year-old has hinted his old rival could be offered unfavourable terms, even if he reclaims his IBF belt by avenging a shock loss to Caleb Truax in December.
"DeGale will always be a good opponent, but as it stands right now, obviously after his last performance his value has diminished significantly," Groves exclusively told Sky Sports.
"Even if he regains the IBF title, and does it behind closed doors in the States somewhere against a guy he should have beaten anyway in the first place, it's going to make negotiations difficult.
It will always be a good fight for me, so we will have to wait and see.
"But that fight, I'm sure he will be craving it. It will always be a good fight for me, so we will have to wait and see."
Groves is enjoying the most successful spell of his career after linking up with trainer Shane McGuigan and insists the lure of big-name fights could keep him active for years to come.
"I'm at the top of my game really I think, in terms of preparation, but also I'm going to need the opposition to maintain it," he said.
"As long as the opposition is there, I can keep going on for a long time.
"I've got one more fight left in this tournament, and then what's next? I think we're in the bucket list territory where, who do I want to fight? Who is going to get me up?"
