Rival super-middleweights George Groves and James DeGale will joint-headline a big fight card at the ExCeL London on Friday 9th December, LIVE and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Platform Ch. 456).
Big-hitting Groves defends his British and Commonwealth titles, while all-action DeGale will put his WBO Intercontinental title on the line. Opponents for both will be announced shortly.
Hammersmith Groves – who beat DeGale in the amateurs – inflicted the first loss on Olympic champion DeGale’s pro career in a close and controversial points win in May at the O2 Arena and are again on a collision course for a third meeting.
Each fighter has gone their own way for now, Groves took his record to 15-0 with a stunning second round KO win over former British champion Paul Smith at Wembley Arena on Saturday night.
While DeGale, from Harlesden, won the European and WBO Intercontinental titles last month in Liverpool against tough Pole Piotr Wilczewski.
Groves said, “I signed with Frank to keep busy and it is great that he’s got me out once more before the end of the year and I can then look at an active 2012,”
“I’m looking to put on an exciting and explosive performance for the fans’ and BoxNation viewers’ as I did against Smith on Saturday night at Wembley and show that I’m a true world class potential,”
“DeGale can say what he wants, but he knows the job I did on Smith in two rounds was more clinical and devastating than what he did in nine rounds,”
“If he wants a long career, the last thing he wants to do is fight me again, I’ve beat him twice, once more and that’s the end of him.”
DeGale said, “I won the European and WBO Intercontinental titles on my return and I’m still on course for a world title fight next year,”
“I’ll take Groves again at the drop of hat because I believe I beat him last time out, it was close, but I thought I won it,”
“I’ve got my own business to see to on December 9 and I’m just focused on improving with my trainer Jim McDonnell,”
“If he keeps winning and I keep winning then it’s a massive fight that the public are going to want to see again.”
Unbeaten Hatfield traveller Billy Joe Saunders, who claimed the Southern Area Middleweight title at Wembley last Saturday, will also feature on the card.
He said, “On BoxNation I’ll have boxed in October, November and December which is great for my career.”
“I won my first pro title and I’m looking forward to getting better and better with the more fights I’m having.”
“Next year I’ll be targeting the big three titles, the British, Commonwealth and European before I move on to the world scene.”
A full undercard will be announced shortly.
Tickets priced at £40, £50, £80 and £100 are available (from Monday 10 November) from Ticketmaster on 0844 844 0444. Tickets are available now through www.frankwarren.tv
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