By Scott Gilfoid: Unbeaten British super middleweight champion James DeGale (10-0, 8 KO’s) is about to put to rest his grudge match with undefeated Commonwealth super middleweight champion George Groves (12-0, 10 KO’s) three weeks from now on May 21st by batting the 23-year-old Groves and knocking him out in front of what will likely be a full house at the O2 Arena in London, England. DeGale, 25, said “I feel sorry for him [Groves] now, let alone what he is going to look like after I have destroyed him.” DeGale likes to talk but, unlike a lot of fighters, he can actually back it up.

DeGale has got some of the best skills in the super middleweight division and he’s facing someone that is clearly a couple levels below him in the form of Groves. The only thing that DeGale may be lacking in is composure. He’s not as calm as Groves and doesn’t seem to be able to handle the give and take involved with arguing. DeGale is better off forgetting about trying to win trash talking contests and instead save his battles for inside of the ring where he really does have a clear cut advantage.

Groves is a good fighter, but pretty basic with a lot of flaws that will keep him from ever getting beyond the fringe contender level. He can punch but moves like he’s got a pair of 10 pound ankle weights strapped to both legs. Groves does well against plodders but has problems when facing guys with skills. On May 21st, Groves is going to be facing someone that is far advanced than the skills of anyone he’s faced before he’s going to struggle at trying to find an answer to the angles, shots and speed that DeGale is going to be presenting to him. I see this as a one-sided affair with Groves basically getting beaten up like a schoolboy facing a bully. DeGale is just way too good for this young lad and I think it’s going to become apparent by the 2nd or 3rd round.