• Boxing

Groves not tempted as Warren calls for DeGale rematch

ESPN staff
May 22, 2011
James DeGale did nothing to impress against George Groves © PA Photos
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Defeated promoter Frank Warren has called for an instant rematch between James DeGale and George Groves, but Groves insists he has no interest after Saturday's controversial victory.

Groves claimed a tight majority decision to record a second win over DeGale, whom he previously beat at amateur level. Warren and DeGale are already calling foul play over the result, revealing they will lobby for a rematch.

"The general consensus seems to be that James won the fight, so they should order a rematch," said Warren. "I don't think George's team will be interested, but there's no-one else for him. It should happen straight away.

"One way or another that fight will happen again. If it doesn't happen, George Groves should be ashamed of himself. I haven't found one person who thought George won that fight and I'm sure he's got a lot of pride and he wouldn't want it to be like that. I'm sure he wants his victory to be an emphatic one."

DeGale, who lost for the first time in his professional career, supported Warren's claim that Groves should be embarrassed of the victory. Despite his own cautious performance, DeGale insists Groves did nothing to become the British and Commonwealth super-middleweight champion.

"How can a challenger nick a fight on the back foot like that?" said DeGale. "I thought I hit him with the cleaner shots, I hurt him in the ninth round, and the last four rounds I won easy. He can't be proud of that win. He beat me, but he nicked it. I want a rematch as soon as, but we'll have to see what Frank and the Board do."

Groves has no intention of granting his rival that rematch though, insisting he has now proved he is on a different level to DeGale.

"How many times do I have to beat this man?" asked the champion. "After this fight I'll go on to bigger and better things. He has no titles, he's just come off a loss, I'm pretty sure I can find a better opponent than James DeGale.

"I've always said, once I've finished with James DeGale I've cleared up the domestic scene and I'm looking at bigger and better things. Possibly I can see it happening a few years down the line, when we've both got different versions of the world title. He's got a good promoter, I'm sure he can get there, he'll just have to take a different route from me. I'm taking a more direct one."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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