James DeGale admits George Groves rivalry still makes him 'cringe' as he prepares for his comeback
James DeGale says his heated dispute with George Groves on Sky Sports show 'Ringside' is 'part of my journey'; the former world champion returns to the ring this month against Marcus Portman; DeGale has urged Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua to finally agree a lucrative 'farewell' fight
Wednesday 16 September 2026 14:33, UK
James DeGale admits his rivalry with George Groves still makes him 'cringe' and the former world champion believes his best wins have been forgotten.
DeGale had an entertaining war of words with his fellow Londoner before they settled their dispute in a 2011 grudge fight as Groves emerged victorious by split decision at The O2 Arena.
Despite this early setback, DeGale would go on to become a two-time world super-middleweight champion, although the 40-year-old is still regularly reminded about his lively dispute with Groves on Sky Sports show 'Ringside.'
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Speaking to Dev Sahni, Groves said: "It's a classic. I cringe when I watch that [clip of himself and Groves], but it's a classic.
"That's me at the age of 25. Brash, cocky, [wearing] Dolce and Gabbana.
"It's raw, thinking I was the man, but that's just a part of my journey."
DeGale defeated Andre Dirrell to secure the IBF title in Boston in 2015, while he also defeated Lucian Bute in Quebec and then battled to a thrilling draw with Badou Jack in New York.
But the Olympic gold medallist fears he is only remembered for losses against Groves and Chris Eubank Jnr on British soil.
"That Groves one was close. I can't argue. A lot of people thought I won. A lot of people thought he won," said DeGale.
"And then the Eubank one was just a mess.
"That's probably why the fans don't see me as one of the best, because of my losses against British opponents, but they don't realise that I had better wins than them.
"Let's be real, [Andre] Dirrell, was a quality amateur. He beat Carl Froch but didn't get the decision, it was close though. He was a bronze medallist in the Olympic Games, he would have beaten George and Chris.
"Bute had like 13 title defences. I had the war with Badou Jack. Even before that, [Marco Antonio] Periban, [Rogelio] Medina [Luna], Brandon Gonzalez."
DeGale is returning from retirement to face Marcus Portman in Wolverhampton on September 26, over seven years since his last fight against Eubank in which he says injuries severely hampered his performance.
Britain's current biggest rivalry between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua could finally be settled in December, with The Principality Stadium in Cardiff and Wembley Stadium being considered as potential venues.
"It's egos, boxing politics. I'm not too sure, it's a bit of a mess," said DeGale when asked about the Fury vs Joshua saga.
"You would think it would be in England, a nice farewell for AJ and Fury.
"It looks like they are coming to the end now.
"Get a £100m each and then run, say 'thank you, you've been brilliant, and then later.'"
