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DeGale turns down world title shot to face Groves

James DeGale is sick of Georges Groves living off his name © Getty Images

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Frank Warren has revealed that James DeGale recently turned down a world title shot in order to settle his long-running feud with George Groves.

DeGale and Groves will finally enter into a rematch at London's O2 Arena on May 21, to end a grudge that dates back to Groves' amateur victory over DeGale in 2006.

The bad blood between the pair has increased in intensity since their rematch was made official, with Groves recently claimed he is heading for an "easy night's work". That ill feeling, according to Warren, has now seen DeGale reject a world title opportunity.

"I am promoting the show at the O2 and this particular fight has all the makings of a classic such is the dislike between the pair," said Warren. "However, I am also James's manager and was pleased to receive such a good offer for him to go abroad and fight for a world title in what would be just his 11th fight.

"It was also a fight I had every confidence he could have won. Of course I gave him the choice but it was a very short discussion. He said to me that he will win a world title at some stage in the near future anyway but couldn't face having a world title belt with the irritable Groves still feeding off his name.

"I don't think in 30 years of boxing a fighter has ever turned down an opportunity to become a world champion, in a winnable fight, in order to fight the Commonwealth champion and answer all the questions about him beforehand. For that you have to respect him as a fighter and a man."

DeGale explained his decision, saying: "I already consider myself one of the best super-middleweights in the world and at some point the title of world champion will be mine anyway.

"It's good to see that Frank is doing the business at his end but I have to take care of business at my end and there is no way that George Groves will be an undefeated fighter on May 22 and there is no way I will give him an escape route even in favour of a world title.

"I can assure George that I will be in the ring on May 21 and when I get there I fully expect to see him in the other corner."

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