James DeGale hoping for super-middleweight IBF/WBC unification with George Groves
Thursday 28 May 2015 17:21, UK
James DeGale says he is hoping to gain revenge over George Groves in a possible world super-middleweight IBF/WBC unification title fight early next year.
DeGale, 29, impressively won the IBF belt after a unanimous points victory over home favourite Andre Dirrell in Boston on Saturday night, to become the first British Olympic gold medallist to claim a professional world title.
He is now keen to quickly avenge two defeats to his fellow Londoner Groves, one in the amateurs and one as a pro, but insisted it was all dependent on his compatriot beating WBC champion Badou Jack, who took his belt from Dirrell's brother Anthony in Chicago last month.
Mandatory challenger Groves is scheduled to fight Jack in the United States in August or September, and DeGale told Sky Sports News HQ: "I'm looking forward to it.
"He's got to do his job first. He's got to go to America in August or September and win his title. If he can do that, and please God he can, hopefully he does (and) that's a massive fight next year.
"I'm just hoping he can go and win his fight and we can please the fans.
"That's what Britain wants to see, me and George Groves go at it again, because (last time) it was controversial, it was a grudge match and I suppose everyone loves a grudge match."
The Massachusetts judges scored the fight 114-112 (twice) and 117-109 in favour of DeGale and the Briton admitted he thought it had been a hard-fought contest.
He said: "If I'm being honest I knew it was close but, with the knockdown, I'd won the first six rounds.
"After six rounds I was up five points, I was so far ahead. It was just letting him back in round seven to 10 that's all it was. Jim (McDonnell) said 'Chunk it's close it's really, really close', but once the judge gave the wide score I thought there's no way he's beaten me by that much.
"The second-round knockdown was good. It was an overhand left. For the first six rounds I boxed extremely well, I did let him back into the fight the second half, but I finished the better and I finished the stronger.
"Don't forget Andre Dirrell is a very, very good fighter. You saw last Saturday two world-class fighters going at it."
DeGale also admitted he was enjoying his time as a world champion, saying: "I got back Tuesday and it's been hectic. I've had something to do every day. It's been very, very hectic, I'm a bit jetlagged but it's part of being world champion."
