Updated: Feb 19, 2014 7:32 pm
James Degale is picking George Groves to come out on top against Carl Froch, the pair meet again in a rematch on May 31st. DeGale feels former nemesis Groves was fortunate to get the title shot in the first place, but he can see the Groves coming away victorious.
The first fight between the arch-rivals ended prematurely with Frock getting the controversial stoppage win for, both fighters have since aimed criticism at each other. Groves campaigned to the IBF to force through a rematch citing the decision from referee Howard Foster to end the fight early.
DeGale himself has set his sights on world title glory, he fights the undefeated Gevorg Khatchikan on March 1 ahead of a WBC title eliminator against Badou Jack later this year, he believes Froch is now past his prime.
DeGale believes Froch best days are behind them and that Groves is getting the Cobra at the right time, the Olympic champion feels Froch has slipped over recent years will his ability starting to slow down due to his age. The Cobra has been in some fierce battles over the years and DeGale thinks those fights are starting to take their toll; he believes that Groves will get the win this time.
“I think he’s had some hard fights, some tough fights,” DeGale said.
“He’s been around for a while now and I think probably his best days are behind him, so maybe Groves has got him at the right time.
“Do I think Groves deserved the rematch? Probably – the way it ended, yes, but did he deserve the fight in the first place? Probably not.”
Many thought that referee Howard Foster ended the fight prematurely, but DeGale believes that even if referee hadn’t stepped in, Groves would have still lost that fight.
“I think Carl Froch would probably have gone on to stop him late on but who knows,” DeGale said.
“It’s all ifs and buts but the second fight is going to be interesting and I’ll be watching it very closely.
“I’m not too sure who I going to win the rematch – it’s a 50-50 one. If you’re going by the last fight a lot of people will be going for Groves.
“I’m not too sure if Froch took him too lightly last time. I’m not too sure (who will win). Nearer the time if you ask me I will tell you who is going to win.”
