• Steve Bunce

DeGale to keep cool in heat of battle

James DeGale and George Groves aim to settle a score on May 21 © Getty Images

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• Profile: James DeGale

James DeGale is rightly the favourite for his British & Commonwealth title clash with George Groves on Saturday - but let me tell you, the people around Groves are absolutely convinced their man will win. They're staggered anyone expects it to be close!

Why are they so confident? Well, DeGale has had two fewer professional fights, and Groves beat him when they met as amateurs. I'd even argue that Groves was ahead of his rival 12 months ago after he looked terrific when winning the Commonwealth title against Charles Adamu, dropping him three times before forcing a stoppage in the sixth.

But now it's all changed - Groves had a terrible fight against Kenny Anderson in November where he picked himself off the floor to win, then one month later DeGale was flawless when snatching the British belt off Paul Smith. He shocked everyone that night, and I can't begin to describe how impressed I was - I've seen a lot of kids go for titles, and that was one of the finest performances by a relative novice in a major fight.

The Groves camp are banking on DeGale losing his head in the ring against a guy he genuinely can't stand, and I know that Adam Booth, Groves' trainer, is convinced that the fighter who keeps his cool is going to win. That won't be easy for either of these guys, as they'll be fighting in front of a raucous crowd at the O2 Arena, where there won't be a neutral in attendance.

Forget about all the insults they've hurled at each other, this one will be about who can handle the heat of battle. It reminds me of when David Haye met Enzo Maccarinelli at the O2 in a cruiserweight unification fight three years ago, a clash that really divided people. On the night, Haye came out relaxed - and Maccarinelli was all over the place, like he'd just seen a ghost.

I've got a feeling that Groves might let the occasion get to him slightly more than DeGale, so it's important he gets off to a good start. He needs to come out like a train and apply a lot of pressure early on, because if DeGale gets into a nice rhythm then he will take charge, boxing shrewdly from distance. Groves has to force the action.

I've racked my brains for months over this one, and I can see DeGale claiming a points win in a fight that won't be as much of a tear-up as some are suggesting. There will be a lot of hype afterwards but, whoever wins, it shouldn't be time to make their next fight a bid for a world title. It's still too soon.

Nathan Cleverly 'would have cut his arm off to fight Juergen Braehmer' © Getty Images

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Boxing clever

Nathan Cleverly has been ready for a world title shot for months, so it's great to see him fighting for the WBO light-heavyweight title against Juergen Braehmer on Saturday. He's been treading water for too long, and it's time for us to see just how good he is.

It won't be easy as, although Braehmer has a few stamina problems, he's efficient and tough - a classic, old-fashioned East German boxer who, as an amateur, beat Carl Froch and Ricky Hatton.

It's a shame this fight has been overshadowed by DeGale-Groves, which has done more to capture the public's attention. Playing second fiddle has been a bit of a problem throughout Cleverly's career, which is what happens when you spend five years in Joe Calzaghe's shadow.

Now is his time to emerge. Cleverly's a good talker, he's in good fights - and he'll be in better fights, the better the opposition. He could easily become a very quick star.

He must use his variety and speed in this one, like he did against Karo Murat in September, when he was brilliant, always punching and willing to take a chance. He won't be overawed, as this is what Cleverly has wanted for ages - he'd have cut his arm off to secure this fight, let me tell you. I think we might see a fantastic performance - he won't win it with a bad performance, that's for sure.

I'm backing Cleverly to clinch the belt on a wide points decision.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.