• Boxing

DeGale v Groves rematch planned for 2012 - Warren

ESPN staff
September 22, 2011
James DeGale is set to fight Piotr Wilczeski © Getty Images
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Frank Warren has signalled his intention to put on a sequel of the James DeGale v George Groves grudge match during 2012.

Warren now has both men on his books after Groves made the surprising decision to switch from the Hayemaker promotional stable. As a result, the idea of returning DeGale and Groves to the same ring becomes a far more realistic prospect without the need for an agreement between rival camps.

Groves currently holds two victories over Olympic gold medallist DeGale, who provided plenty of talk prior to their recent contest before failing to turn up - in a boxing sense - on the night. Groves plans to look onwards and upwards, but Warren knows he can tempt the Londoner back in if DeGale can win a European title.

"What I have always done is put my fighters in with each other if they are at the same weight, because that is what the fans want," Warren said. "We don't keep them apart, we build fights.

"It is a natural rematch and is something which will happen, I am sure it will be sometime next year and it will be a bigger fight.

"However, first of all George has got to get through Paul Smith, which will be a tough fight, and James has got to win the European title. The winners of those contests will go on and hopefully we will have some big fights."

DeGale's next fight comes on October 15, when he takes on Piotr Wilczeski. Also on that card is Nathan Cleverly's WBO light-heavyweight title showdown with Tony Bellew.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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