Tuesday 15 September 2015 10:19, UK
James DeGale might still consider a rematch with George Groves, but insists his rival would have to accept a tiny percentage of the purse.
The IBF super-middleweight world champion watched Groves suffer a split decision points defeat against Badou Jack when challenging for the WBC crown at the weekend and could not resist sending a mocking tweet to his former opponent.
Earlier this year, Groves rejected the offer of a summer rematch with DeGale, who he has beaten on points in the amateur and professional ranks, and the fighters took separate paths to world title shots.
DeGale successfully claimed the IBF belt after he floored Andre Dirrell on the way to a points win and believes that Groves could be regretting his decision to turn down a return bout and the possibility of lucrative pay day at Wembley.
"Wrong move, wrong move," he told Ringside Reaction. "Every dog has his day. Funny how things work out.
Asked if he would offer Groves a world title shot, DeGale responded: "As I said, I'm in boxing for the big fights and if the British public want it and demand it, let's do it.
"But we'll have to negotiate the purse. Maybe 90 [per cent for me]… 10 per cent to him. We'll see."
The feuding pair have continued to exchange insults in recent years and DeGale insists his tweet was just a response to Groves' past comments about his career.
Can he mix it at the top level with the elite fighters? I don't think he can?
He feels that Groves will now be forced to assess his own future in the sport after his third defeat at world title level.
DeGale said: "I got a bit of stick for that tweet. Remember when I was boxing at Bluewater and the stick he used to give me?
"But he's got to ask himself some questions. Can he mix it at the top level with the elite fighters? I don't think he can."
