Paul Smith and James DeGale clash on December 11th

British Super-Middleweight champion Paul Smith has promised challenger James DeGale a war on December 11 – and then a Sunday roast the next day.

The British rivals clash at the Echo Arena, Liverpool, in a mouth-watering showdown on Frank Warren’s big 30th Anniversary show.

The pair have long been friends, after DeGale boxed with Smith’s younger brother Stephen at amateur level.

And DeGale is no stranger to Smith family hospitality, often staying with them in Liverpool.

Yet friendship will be put to one side when they clash for Smith’s British super-middleweight title.

“It’s strange fighting someone you know very well, but business is business,” said Smith.

“It’s just the way boxing is, and there is so much at stake on December 11 that there will be no time to think about being mates.

“DeGale can expect an all-out war because I will not be holding back or feeling sorry for him.

“When I see that he is hurt I will be going in for the finish.

“Fight fans had better get ready because it’s going to be the one of the most explosive seen in a British ring for some time.

“But when it’s all done and dusted, we’ll shake hands and be friends again.

“So much so, that James and his family are more than welcome round my house for a Sunday roast the day after the fight and I’ll do the cooking.

“We can both sit there and lick our wounds, and James can even try on my Lonsdale belt for size because the closest he is going to come to wearing it.

“There will be plenty of beef in the ring, and then some more outside of it 24 hours later.”

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