James DeGale already plotting George Groves rematch ahead of Chris Eubank Jr fight
The rivals first fought in 2011, but the feud dates back to their amateur days
JAMES DEGALE claimed he will look to rematch George Groves, providing he beats Chris Eubank Jr first.
DeGale, 32, and Eubank Jr, 29, look set to meet in a grudge match in London on February 23 with an announcement likely this week.
DeGale said: “In an ideal world, probably George Groves because I’ve got two losses on my record. I’ve avenged one of them – against (Caleb) Truax – the one left is George Groves.
“I think that’s a massive fight. Before we finish our careers I think we’d be stupid not to fight again.
“Let’s get it done, but he’s difficult to work with, I’m not too sure what he’s gonna do.
“We’ll just see because, after I beat Eubank, I may just want to call it a day.”
Groves beat DeGale via majority decision in 2011, in a fight competed for the British and Commonwealth titles.
Their rivalry dates back to the amateur ranks, however, as the pair boxed for Dale Youth ABC, and Groves also scored a win in the unpaid ranks over DeGale.
Yet it was DeGale who would go on to be selected to box for Great Britain in the 2008 Olympic Games — winning a gold medal in Beijing.
Since their 2011 fight, DeGale and Groves have both become world champions, yet their rivalry did not seem to simmer down.
DeGale admitted he does respect Groves, who on the fourth attempt captured a world title after knocking out Fedor Chudinov in May 2017.
He said: "I respect every fighter, with Groves I’ve half got respect for him because he achieved his dream after he got knocked out a couple of times and looked like he wasn’t gonna win a world title.
"He got a touch fighting Chudinov, but he still had a couple of defences.
"He’s done well so of course I’m gonna give him credit and respect him.
"But we don’t like each other, the history goes back.
"This ain’t a built-up rivalry, this is proper. I can’t stand the guy, and he can’t stand me."