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Hayemaker promotions want DeGale/Groves fight

James DeGale has a big blotch on his copybook that needs erasing © Getty Images

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David Haye's promotional company have offered James DeGale's representatives a £50,000 deal to set up a meeting with rival George Groves on April 3.

Haye defends his WBA world heavyweight crown against John Ruiz on the same night at the MEN Arena, on a blockbuster date for boxing that will also see Bernard Hopkins rematch Roy Jones Jr in Las Vegas. Now Hayemaker Boxing wants to add DeGale v Groves to the Manchester card as a high-class support bout to the main event.

DeGale rose to prominence by taking middleweight gold at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, but he was beaten by Groves at amateur level as the 21-year-old stormed to the 2006 ABA title. Now Groves is under the wing of Haye's trainer Adam Booth, who insists he is "deadly serious" about thrashing out a deal with DeGale's promoter, Frank Warren.

"This is a fight George wants to take now, as he's desperate to prove a point against DeGale," Booth said. "George doesn't want to wait and risk the fight never happening - he wants to meet DeGale as soon as possible and he wants to do it on the biggest stage possible.

"You can't get a bigger stage than a world heavyweight championship fight. Not only will the world's media be watching, Groves and DeGale would also box in front of a sold-out crowd at the MEN Arena. There would be plenty of incentive for both men."

DeGale is undoubtedly the bigger name in boxing currently and, given the fact Groves is on an eight-fight winning streak, questions could be raised as to what the Olympic champion would get out of such a risky bout. Booth offers one very good reason.

"We're offering DeGale the chance to gain revenge on the biggest boxing night of the year. Both fighters have improved dramatically since their first meeting and a rematch as pros would be a great spectacle for British boxing fans.

"This is a one-off fight offer, with no strings attached. We just simply want to put the best fighters in against the best fighters and let them have the chance to become stars. George is ready to do this on April 3 - we're just waiting for an answer from James DeGale."

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