DeGale destroys Dilks and wants Groves next

James DeGale laid down an emphatic marker to his domestic rivals with a first round stoppage over former Commonwealth title challenger Carl Dilks in their eliminator for the British super-middleweight title currently held by Paul Smith.

The impressive DeGale (12st) took charge from the off in the opening bout of Frank Warren's Magnificent Seven bill this evening, bloodying Dilks' nose with some crisp combinations as the bewildered Liverpudlian didn't know where the punches were coming from.

A right hook, left hook followed by a left hook to the body had Dilks (11st 13 8oz) looking flustered as the Olympic gold medallist switched angles with ease. Another pinpoint uppercut rocked Dilks back against the ropes and a follow-up barrage persuaded referee Howard Foster to jump in with Carl under fire.

There were a few scattered boos as the stoppage appeared a fraction premature but undoubtedly Dilks was being outclassed. DeGale, who needed two trips to the scales to make the 12st weight limit at yesterday's weigh-in, advances to 8-0 (6) and his promoter Frank Warren confirmed afterwards that he will be making a written offer to Commonwealth champion George Groves to face DeGale in December.