• Boxing

Beat Groves, then DeGale again - Smith

ESPN staff
September 26, 2011
James DeGale beat Paul Smith in December 2010 © Getty Images
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Former British super-middleweight champion Paul Smith is targeting a rematch with James DeGale if he gets through George Groves in his next fight.

Smith surrendered the British strap to DeGale in December 2010, losing via a ninth-round stoppage as DeGale put on a masterclass in his opponent's native Liverpool.

After that fight DeGale appeared to be on the fast-track to super-stardom, but his reputation was dented in May 2011 when he was conquered by Groves, a long-time rival who learnt his trade at the same gym.

Groves' first defence of the British and Commonwealth titles will come against Smith at Wembley Arena on November 5 - also Groves' maiden fight under promoter Frank Warren - and Smith wants to get his hands on DeGale, who goes for the European title on October 15, afterwards.

"Groves beat DeGale and you get these exciting trilogies," the 28-year-old Liverpudlian told BBC Radio Merseyside. "Let's hope I can beat Groves and fight DeGale for three titles."

Smith is taking heart from Groves' unconvincing victory over Kenny Anderson in November 2010, when he picked himself off the floor to force a stoppage. "I don't think he's improved since (beating) Anderson," Smith said.

"Kenny Anderson took him at short notice and if he'd have had more in the tank he'd have got him out of there late. In my opinion he was tiring from round six and that's what he does all the time."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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