By Scott Gilfoid: British/Commonwealth champion George Groves (13-0, 10 KO’s) seems dead set against giving James DeGale (10-1, 8 KO’s) a rematch despite their fight ending end in a close 12 round majority decision win for Groves. I had Groves losing the fight, as did many other boxing fans. However, Groves is getting confidence from backslappers that are saying he doesn’t need to give DeGale a rematch and it seems like Groves is going to defer to them rather than facing his fears and fighting DeGale again.

It’s pretty obvious that Groves wants no part of fighting DeGale again after escaping with a 115-114, 115-114 and 115-115 win. It’s the type of win that would please few fans in the United States because they want a rematch to find out who the better fighter was. The scores were so close that you really can’t say that Groves was the better fighter. But if Groves doesn’t want a rematch what can you say? He’s got the titles, and he’s the one that doesn’t want any part of fighting DeGale again.

I guess I can’t blame Groves. If I just won a fight where it came down to me winning by one point against a champion that I run from for most of the fight, I’d just be happy to get the win and would move on. But I wouldn’t move on if the money was better in facing DeGale than it would be against some fodder-type opponent. Let’s face it: Groves isn’t going to be facing anyone close to being as good as DeGale next. Groves is going to face either domestic level or European level fodder next.

Speaking with the wbctimes.co.uk, Groves said “My career doesn’t begin and end with James DeGlae and I can’t see how Frank Warren [DeGale’s promoter] can force me into a rematch…I’m going to sit down with Adam Booth [Groves’ promoter/manager] and see what he’s got up his sleeve. We’ve always planned that I’d get to the top and become a world champion…At the moment, the general feedback I’m getting from people is that I shouldn’t five him a rematch.”

What is this? Does Groves not think for himself? Why does he need other people telling him what do? If the money is better for a DeGale rematch than a fight against fodder opponents, then why in the world would Groves not be fighting DeGale again unless Groves doubts he could beat DeGale again? If anything, Groves would be better known and might even become a star if he can beat DeGale a second time but without controversy. But, yes, it’s safer not to fight DeGale again and take lesser money to fight a lesser fighter. I don’t think it’s smart because you’re making less money but it is safer. Why should Warren have to try and get a rematch? Groves should willingly agree to the fight if it makes sense in terms of money. For Groves to turn down better money in a rematch with DeGale makes you wonder if Groves doubts himself. He might as well take the fight, because it’s better to face DeGale and possibly get whipped in a rematch then it is for Groves to move on and get exposed and taken out by one of the top world contenders.