George Groves doubts whether IBF mandatory James DeGale will face Carl Froch

George Groves has questioned whether James DeGale is a big enough name to challenge Carl Froch for his world titles.

The Hammersmith fighter was part of one of the biggest events in British boxing history when he faced Froch for the second time, in front of nearly 80,000 fans at Wembley Stadium in May.

Groves would suffer a crushing eight-round stoppage defeat against the IBF and WBA super-middleweight champion, forcing him to rebuild against Christopher Rebrasse this Saturday at Wembley Arena, live on Sky Sports.

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But Froch is yet to confirm his next fight, despite speculation about a possible clash with DeGale, his IBF mandatory challenger.

There is still plenty of bad blood between Groves and his London rival, who he defeated on points back in 2011, and he raised doubts about whether Froch will be interested in another all-British battle.

“I think he has got his shot at Froch, but so far nothing has materialised,” he told the Sky Sports Toe 2 Toe podcast.

“DeGale has a scheduled fight time soon, Froch has been tumbling about on TV so no idea what is happening there?

“It’s all mooted about it happening in March. Froch recently said that he is the international superstar and what couldn’t be more conclusive is the fact that I went on sale and I haven’t sold out in 10 minutes. Well, we’ll see whether Froch-Degale is Wembley Stadium material shall we?

Hope

“I hope they do box soon and I wish them both the very best, health and happiness, and may the best man win, but something tells me that fight might not take place. Maybe Bristol Leisure Centre isn’t up for the challenge?”

His Wembley return has led to questions about whether ‘The Saint’ will be affected by mental scars from his last fight with Froch.

Groves expects some nerves ahead of this crucial comeback bout against the European champion, but his thorough training camp has instilled fresh confidence.

DeGale has a scheduled fight time soon, Froch has been tumbling about on TV so no idea what is happening there?

“The only time you question yourself is when you are not fully prepared and I have put the work in, said the 26-year-old.

“I know I’m fit and healthy, I know my sparring has been excellent and I know that I’m doing things that I have never been able to do before.

“That’s always going to be a box ticked in the changing room, in the final few seconds before a ring walk."  

Asked about his mental state, he said: “I hope there is a bit of anxiousness, a bit of fear factor, a bit of nerves, because I haven’t had that in a little while.

“It’s when you feel most alive. I welcome that.”

Victory could lead to a shot against newly crowned WBC champion Anthony Dirrell and Groves knows he is under pressure to perform.

“To me a win is never enough. I always want to put a statement on the table,” he said. “We want to shock and awe. That is what is written on the canvas in my gym.

“This guy, he’s the sort of fighter who I think needs to know that we mean business. We plan to hit him hard, often and heavy from the very first second.”