Groves Targets DeGale

David Haye's promoters have reportedly offered Olympic gold-medallist James DeGale £50,000 to take on former amateur rival George Groves.

Hayemaker Boxing have presented a deal to DeGale's promoter Frank Warren for the pair to square off on the undercard of Haye's WBA heavyweight title defence against John Ruiz on April 3 in Manchester.

Tensions have simmered between the former Dale Youth ABC stable-mates since DeGale's profile was significantly boosted when he won middleweight gold in Beijing in 2008, despite Groves beating him in the amateurs en-route to his 2006 ABA title win.

Hayemaker's trainer Adam Booth also trains and manages Groves, and is keen for the duo to continue their rivalry in the professional ranks.
Serious

"We are deadly serious about making this fight for April 3 and believe that we have made a more than fair offer for it to happen," said Booth.

"This is a fight George wants to take now, as he's desperate to prove a point against DeGale. George doesn't want to wait and risk the fight never happening - he wants to meet DeGale as soon as possible and he wants to do it on the biggest stage possible.

"You can't get a bigger stage than a world heavyweight championship fight. Not only will the world's media be watching, Groves and DeGale would also box in front of a sold-out crowd at the MEN Arena. There would be plenty of incentive for both men."

"We're offering DeGale the chance to gain revenge on the biggest boxing night of the year.

"We just simply want to put the best fighters in against the best fighters and let them have the chance to become stars. George is ready to do this on April 3 - we're just waiting for an answer from James DeGale."