By Scott Gilfoid: Promoter Frank Warren feels that there should be a rematch between his fighter James DeGale and George Groves after DeGale was narrowly beaten by a close 12 round decision on Saturday night. DeGale looked like the stronger fighter and took the second half of the fight with a dominating performance. Groves did his best work in the first four rounds. After that, it was all DeGale.

In an article at the BBC, Warren said “The general consensus seems to be that James won the fight, so they should order a rematch. I don’t think George’s team will be interested, but there’s no one else for him. It should happen straight away.”

I totally agree with Mr. Warren. There needs to be a rematch straight away to clear up the controversy surrounding this fight. For me, it seems obvious that DeGale won the fight. I don’t think the fight was really all that close. Groves ran around the ring throwing weak punches and running from DeGale. The bigger shots were thrown and landed by DeGale. That’s just how it was. But it looks like the crowd was on Groves’ side from the very moment started.

It almost seemed like DeGale was in a no win situation unless he was able to score a knockout. I had a feeling that DeGale couldn’t win a decision on this night, because it looked all wrong for him with the huge pro-Groves crowd screaming for each one of his misses and the weak punches he did land. That kind of thing is bound to influence the judges. I mean they are only human. But if you disconnect yourself from the crowd noise, as I did, it’s only obvious that DeGale won the fight.

He won it but was given the decision. DeGale has nothing to be ashamed of in this fight. He won it but they didn’t give it to him. I don’t see this as a victory for Groves. I know he’s probably not going to give DeGale a rematch and will ignore him and move on. But that doesn’t matter. DeGale is going to be the much more successful fighter in the pro ranks. Groves had his foot to the floor last night, maximizing his game by fighting the only style he can – by running around the ring. He doesn’t have the power to stand and trade with the more powerful fighters in the division and will have to fight the way he did. In contrast, DeGale – with his power and boxing skills – can and will be able to stand in with any of the biggest punchers and succeed. DeGale has much more to his game than Groves. If you can’t see that then you don’t know boxing.

Warren added, “One way or another that fight will happen again. If it doesn’t happen, George Groves should be ashamed of himself.” I totally agree. But unfortunately, I don’t see Groves and his team giving DeGale a rematch until two or three years from now. The only way I see him getting a rematch before then is if Groves suddenly hits rock bottom by taking on a good fighter and getting beaten. I don’t think his team are going to put him in with a quality guy anytime soon, so he’ll like get some fodder opponent next and follow in the direction for the next two or three years. If they put him in with Andre Dirrell one of the other top super middleweights, Groves is going to be beaten badly.