• Boxing

Haye questions DeGale's guts

James DeGale has unleashed a torrent of insults in George Groves' direction © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Groves displays scars of sparring
  
• News: Klitschko will KO Haye - DeGale
  
• News: DeGale looks 'destroyed', I'll win easy - Groves
  
• News: Froch backs Groves to stun DeGale
  
• Profile: James DeGale | David Haye

George Groves has warned James DeGale that his insults will count for nothing when the two meet for the British and Commonwealth super-middleweight title on May 21.

DeGale has launched a series of stinging attacks on Groves, persistently referring to him as "ugly kid" and questioning his pedigree as a fighter after he endured a tricky time against Kenny Anderson in November, getting up from the floor to defeat the Scot.

The juvenile nature of their verbal battle accurately reflects the origins of the rivalry, which began when both operated out of the same gym as youngsters. But Groves insists he has the maturity to succeed - and that if DeGale doesn't recognise that, he will find himself in trouble.

"James is good at throwing from a distance, throwing insults from the end of a table," Groves told Sky Sports. "But when we're face to face it's a totally different ball game. He talks at me like I'm a child - I'm not, I'm a 23-year-old man. As soon as it dawns on him, that's when he's going to be in deep water."

While Groves has been forced to endure a couple of scares in the ring since turning pro, DeGale's star has continued to rise steadily, particularly after he defeated the veteran Paul Smith to claim the British title in December.

But David Haye believes that Groves' moments of peril will be of benefit to him when he takes to the ring against DeGale. "He's passed a gut check - James DeGale hasn't," Haye said. "I'm not saying DeGale can't pass the gut check, but he is unproven at this stage, he hasn't had to do it yet."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.