Board refuses to order DeGale v Groves rematch

The British Boxing Board of Control have refused to order an immediate rematch for the British super-middleweight title between George Groves and James DeGale.

Groves won a very narrow points verdict on Saturday and since then there have been calls for a rematch from DeGale's camp.

However, Robert Smith, Secretary of the Board, told Gareth A Davies from The Telegraph: “An immediate re-match is out of the question. The Board will not be ordering a re-match. There was nothing controversial or contentious about it. No one broke any rules. Why would the Board order a re-match ? It was simply a very close fight, and there was nothing wrong with the decision.”

Smith added: “DeGale could come back as mandatory challenger. If DeGale is the leading contender in six months’ time, he will be made mandatory challenger. If DeGale has anything about him, he will come back stronger from this. It was a test of how he grows. It will not have done him any harm at all.

“I’m fairly sure we will see these two box each other again, but when and where we don’t know yet. In boxing terms, they are still learning. One is 23, the other is 25. There was huge expectancy on both young men and they were under great pressure in a venue that was full. They put on a great fight.”