DeGale-Groves: Fight signed

DeGale v Groves: Rivals to meet

The long anticipated showdown between James DeGale and bitter rival George Groves will finally take place May 21 at the O2 Arena.

It’s the first time the two will meet since Groves beat DeGale in the amateurs and it’s safe to say there has been a lot of bad feeling ever since. The fight will take place on the under-card of WBO light-heavyweight fight between champ Jurgen Braehmer and Welshmen Nathan Cleverly.

To be honest I can’t see anything but a DeGale win so long as he is focussed. Groves is a danger but has shown himself to be a bit rash and I’m not sure if he has the right temperament at this stage of his career.

DeGale has shown he is coming of age in the professional division, with his superb win over Paul Smith to claim the British title last year.

To me, if DeGale is focussed then I can see him getting Groves out of there within six rounds; if he wants to. I believe DeGale wants to prove a point against Groves because that loss in the amateurs will have hurt his pride (no matter what he says in the press) and will be looking for a knock-out.

Groves best chance of winning this fight is getting on the inside and working the body. He has got the power to stop DeGale but I wonder whether he has the right skill set to get the better of DeGale’s defence, which improving every fight.

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DeGale set for Burns undercard

James DeGale: Back in action

James DeGale is set for his first appearance of 2011 when he takes on Frenchmen Alpay Kobal on Ricky Burns undercard on Saturday night. (12 March)

DeGale, whose next opponent is strongly rumoured to be long time rival George Groves, has not boxed since beating Paul Smith to win the British title last December.

The British super-middleweight champion will take on the 34-year-old Kobal, who has won only seven of his previous 21 professional fights (five by way of KO) and has failed to win in his last five fights.

With George Groves impressive in his win just last week, DeGale will be looking to impress and send a message to his bitter rival as talks of a fight between the two Londoners hot up.