DeGale takes swing at Groves and says 'flash, childish prat’ George will get flattened by Froch (and he'll love every minute of it!)

By Jeff Powell

PUBLISHED: 18:00 EST, 4 November 2013 | UPDATED: 12:13 EST, 6 November 2013

The man called Chunky cannot hide the chip on his shoulder. It’s as hefty as his nickname.

James DeGale will watch his lifelong enemy - ‘that ***hole George Groves’ - challenge for the world super-middleweight title believing it should be him up there in the spotlight taking on Carl Froch in the 20,000 sell-out Manchester Arena.

That, and flattening ‘this infantile prat’ the way he expects Froch to do.

Instead, one week earlier on November 16, DeGale will be boxing a little-known American in front of some 3,000 fans at a venue called Glow in the middle of a shopping centre in Kent.

VIDEO: Scroll down to watch some verbal sparring between Carl Froch and George Groves

Taking a swing: James DeGale (right), who won his last bout against Stjepan Bozic, has blasted George Groves

Taking a swing: James DeGale (right), who won his last bout against Stjepan Bozic, has blasted George Groves

A bit of bite: Carl Froch and Groves go head to head at a press conference last month

A bit of bite: Carl Froch and Groves go head to head at a press conference last month

 
   

More from Jeff Powell...

Little wonder then, he has told his promoter Mick Hennessy: ‘After this, no more treading water. Let’s get the finger out and get me that world title shot.’

As a former Olympic champion – and more than five years after he won gold – that is a challenge DeGale is entitled to throw down and Hennessy is working to deliver at least a final eliminator early next year.

First DeGale must see off that American, one Dyah Davis, whose pseudonym is ‘Dangerous’ and who is vowing to use Chunky as his own stepping stone to a world championship.

Even so, aware though he is of the need to focus on the job in hand, DeGale cannot help but think about what might have been already – and what could be soon.

He remains convinced that he beat Groves on the night in May 2011 when his very local west London rival was given a one-point majority verdict by two of the judges.

The other official scored it a draw, while many neutrals shared DeGale’s belief that he had done just enough to win.

So fine can be the margin between a fast-track to stardom and the long slog back into contention
While Groves has closed in on Froch, that solitary defeat on his 16-fight record sent DeGale back to the small halls.

An upset victory for Saint George over the Nottingham Cobra would cast a more flattering light on DeGale’s controversial loss to Groves but DeGale is rooting for Froch.

He says: ‘George really believes he is going to win this fight but I have no idea where he gets his confidence. He comes across on TV like a cocky schoolboy but he’s kidding himself that he’s getting to Carl psychologically.  

‘Froch is currently the second-best super-middleweight in the world behind Andre Ward. He’s as good as he’s tough. And believe me I know the real George Groves. Maybe I knew too much before I fought him. I wasn’t fully concentrated on the fight. I hope the same’s not true with Carl because I want him to beat Groves. 

‘Not only that, I want him to knock him out. And I believe he will do that, even if for a few rounds Groves makes it less of a one-horse race than some people are expecting.’

How will he feel as he watches that box-office drama unfold?

Best of enemies: Groves lands a punch on DeGale during their meeting at the O2 Arena in 2011

Best of enemies: Groves lands a punch on DeGale during their meeting at the O2 Arena in 2011

Smell you later: DeGale (left) held his nose during the weigh-in prior to the pair's last bout

Smell you later: DeGale (left) held his nose during the weigh-in prior to the pair's last bout

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

David Haye, while inspecting construction work at his new gym in Dubai but looking forward to his February 8 all-British heavyweight clash with the much larger (6ft 9in) Tyson Fury:
‘I’m going to prove that (in boxing) it’s the size of the fight in the dog, not the size of the dog in the fight.’

‘Frustrated.’ says DeGale. ‘But that is part of what drives me on. I know I should be in the big fights, in the big arenas. I know it because while Froch has big American fish to fry after Groves, the other world title holders don’t want to fight me. 

'I’ve served my apprenticeship as a professional. I’ve proved I’m a 12-round championship fighter now. But there’s a lot of politics in boxing. There’s the power some people have in the game.

‘It’s not always who you beat but who you know.’
DeGale switched promoters in the aftermath of the Groves setback, from Frank Warren to Hennessy.

Now, at 27, he says: ‘I’m OK with Mick but we’ve got to get the foot down. Glow is a very nice arena and the punters work up a great atmosphere.

'Everything else in my world is cool. I’m finally over the knee injury that’s been bugging me since I banged it badly against a table. My home life is great. But I love boxing and I’ve got to step up.’

Commendably, he has applied himself to that objective by winning lesser championships. 

First came the European title. Then he claimed the WBC silver belt he defends against Davis at the Bluewater shopping centre but which, more importantly, can lead to a challenge for Sakio Bika’s world title.

There is logic to that progression.

 

His opponent on Saturday week went 10 rounds with Bika before losing that world title fight and DeGale says: ‘If I can do a quicker job on Davis it will be a real statement. I’m ranked fifth by the WBC at the moment and a big win here should put me in line to challenge Bika.’

Since the African-Australian appears, at 34, to be the most vulnerable of the current champions, DeGale sees the chance to invert the ring pecking order which gives him the most severe angst.

If defeat for Groves against Froch were to be followed by DeGale dethroning Bika, then the noisiest of these two neighbours would the one knocking on the door, begging for a world title chance.
How gratifying would that be?

DeGale says: ‘People used to accuse me of being arrogant and having a big mouth. But watching George, I was never as flash and objectionable as he is now.’

DeGale v Davis will be live on Channel 5 on Saturday, November 16.
Froch v Groves will be live on Sky Sports Box Office on Saturday, November 23.

 

London Olympic gold medallist Luke Campbell put five useful rounds under his belt en route to stopping Lee Connelly in Hull on Saturday night. 

Campbell looked just as impressive as in winning his first two paid fights in the first round and appears on course to a successful professional career.

However, the time has come to crank up the quality of the opposition. Nothing too risky but preferably someone as big as himself with an overall win record.

Crank it up: Luke Campbell (right) must fight higher quality opponents following his win over Lee Connelly

Crank it up: Luke Campbell (right) must fight higher quality opponents following his win over Lee Connelly

Hometown hero: Campbell (left) celebrates the victory in his native Hull

Hometown hero: Campbell (left) celebrates the victory in his native Hull

 

Another boxer has undergone brain surgery.

Russian heavyweight contender Magomed Abdusalamov lies in a medically induced coma in a New York hospital.

That follows his first defeat, in a brutal battle with Mike Perez at Madison Square Garden, during which he suffered not only a blood clot but a broken hand and nose.

Lest we ever forget, this is a dangerous game… played by very brave men (and women).

Concern: Magomed Abdusalamov (right) is in an induced coma following his defeat to Mike Perez in New York

Concern: Magomed Abdusalamov (right) is in an induced coma following his defeat to Mike Perez in New York

 

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He does overrate himself but, he's right about the Groves and Froch fight.

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If Groves hadnt spent the entire build-up bad mouthing one of our finest fighter's i would have given him a chance against Froch who may have been slow to get up for this one. But Groves has made a huge rod for his own back. Froch will be well up for it. Froch by KO in the middle rounds.

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only one worse than Degale,in my opinion and that is "fraudley"

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Firstly, James DeGale figures nowhere in the title stakes, or at least shouldn't. It will be interesting to see what Froch does next fight against Groves as he normally stops nobody.

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Maybe he will lose to Froch but the reason he is fighting him and your not is because he beat you up!!

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De Gale calling Groves a ' flashy prat ' is just amazing, considering De Gale is like the Kanye West of Boxing - Lmao - De Gale went quite after Goerge shut him up, but i guess big heads back.

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Froch Showed Groves No Respect Whatsoever From The Very Start So It Works Both Ways.Groves Relly Got To Him On Ringside Great Stuff.If Id To Pick A Winner Id Go Froch,But The Amount Of Trash Talk InBoxing Now Is Off Putting ..

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I think George has the tools to beat Froch. He's a clever fighter. Froch likes a brawl but George could fight on the backfoot and box the ears off of him. You people who think Froch will knock him out are day dreaming.

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The problem with DeGale is that he's an awkward southpaw,with no one punch power and little ability to put bums in seats.If he could fight as well as he talked,he'd already be champ.

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JamesDeale would beat Froch and Groves in 1 night......no probs at all

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