GEORGE GROVES: JAMES DEGALE'S VALUE HAS DIMINISHED SIGNIFICANTLY

Via Boxing Scene - By Boxing Clever

Back in 2011, George Groves shocked the odds when he handed James DeGale the first defeat of his pro career.

At that time, DeGale was being groomed as a rising star who captured Olympic gold.

After a years went by, DeGale captured the IBF middleweight crown and put in several performances that rose his status above Groves, who suffered a few defeats over the years.

Their positions have switched enormously over the last twelve months.

Groves is the WBA middleweight champion, is heading to the final bout of the World Boxing Super Super tournament at 168, and put together a solid run of wins over fighters like Fedor Chudinov, Jamie Cox, Chris Eubank, Martin Murray and others.

DeGale on the other hand has not won a bout since April 2016, which saw him win a much tougher than anticipated decision over Rogelio Medina.

He then fought to a twelve round draw with Badou Jack in January 2017, and some felt he was lucky to escape with the draw verdict. During the fight he suffered numerous injuries.

And then in December of last year, DeGale lost his IBF title in a massive upset when he lost a twelve round majority decision to Caleb Truax - who some bookies listed as a 100-1 underdog.

Groves is still willing to face DeGale in the future, but admits his career rival's value has plummeted after the December loss to Truax.

"DeGale will always be a good opponent, but as it stands right now, obviously after his last performance his value has diminished significantly," Groves exclusively told Sky Sports.

"Even if he regains the IBF title, and does it behind closed doors in the States somewhere against a guy he should have beaten anyway in the first place, it's going to make negotiations difficult. But that fight, I'm sure he will be craving it. It will always be a good fight for me, so we will have to wait and see."