James DeGale offer to George Groves of a 90-10 per cent split was 'banter,' says promoter

Kalle Sauerland has dismissed James DeGale's 10 per cent rematch offer to long-time rival George Groves as "a bit of banter."

Groves, who is promoted by Sauerland Promotions, lost his third shot at a world title over the weekend - suffering an agonising split decision defeat to WBC super-middleweight champion Badou Jack in Las Vegas.

That prompted IBF champion DeGale, who was edged on points by Groves in their infamous British and Commonwealth title grudge bout back in 2011, to suggest Groves would be worth only 10 per cent of any rematch purse.

But Sauerland told worldboxingnews.net: "I think that's a bit of banter between James and George. At the end of the day this fight does not have anything to do with champion status.

George has beaten James as an amateur and as a pro, so I think that James would want to try and put the record straight.

"They fought once already on PPV for the British Championship and this would be a fight between two outstanding super middleweights who have a history of bad blood and who come from the same amateur club in west London.

"Yes, on the one hand, James is world champion but on the other hand George has fought often on PPV and sold very well. James has only boxed on pay-per-view once and that was against George.

"George has beaten James as an amateur and as a pro, so I think that James would want to try and put the record straight. George has always said he is ready to give him a chance to do that."

Speaking specifically of Groves' future, the German added: "Of course we have been talking to George since Saturday night, but it is a process and we will check what the best path possible is.

"George is with us long term and together we have to decide what is best moving forward."

DeGale is yet to confirm the first defence of the world title he won in May when he defeated Andre Dirrell on points in Boston.