James DeGale has sights firmly set on fight with George Groves following 11 months away from the boxing ring
- James DeGale takes his repaired right arm into a defence of his world title
- The champ called Chunky is making his homecoming after 11 months out
- DeGale knows he has to prove himself again and that's what he wants to do
- He is also aware of what George Groves has been claiming in his absence
Earlier this year James DeGale was in such agony following a complex shoulder operation that his girlfriend at the time had to get in the shower with him to wash him down.
Well, even painful therapy has its compensations. He calls this one 'my bird bath.'
And this Saturday he takes that repaired right arm into a defence of his world super-middleweight title.
DeGale will fight on English soil for the first time in three years when he takes on Caleb Truax
The 31-year-old will be making his fourth defence of the IBF world title he won back in 2015
The champ called Chunky is making his homecoming after more than two years of high-octane campaigning in North America followed by 11 months out of the ring.
DeGale shakes the rust from those metal pins in his shoulder in a fight against American Caleb Truax in which he wants not only to test his recovery but make a statement.
London's IBF belt holder says: 'After all this time away I know I have to prove myself again to the British public. Remind them that I am the No 1 super-middleweight in the world.'
He said he hasn't felt this good since he outpointed Andre Dirrell to capture the world strap
His old rival George Groves has been claiming that accolade since winning the WBA world title and then competing in the new Super Series tournament.
'That's bull,' says DeGale. 'How can he justify that?
'His so-called win over me was years ago and since then I've been winning world title fights against miles better opponents than he's been fighting.'
He hopes Groves 'comes through' his semi-final against Chris Eubank Jnr 'so I can prove I'm No 1 by fighting him again.'
A little rancour is still there. DeGale says: 'I was invited to a Q&A with George but then disinvited. I think he blocked me.
'So I don't think he'll want me at ringside up in Manchester in February.'
In any event that grudge rematch would have to wait.
Should Groves beat Eubank he would go on to meet the winner of the other semi-final between Liverpool's Callum Smith and German veteran Jurgen Brahmer.
And Chunky is not sure St George would win that.
He says: 'When the tournament was announced I fancied Smith.
'Like Chris, George did well in his quarter-final. But have you seen Smith? Although he didn't look so good in his quarter-final, he's huge at the weight.'
DeGale had shoulder surgery after his draw against Badou Jack and has not fought since
DeGale returns to these shores as British boxing is booming.
He relishes fighting Groves, Eubank or Smith here but he may return to the US in the spring in a bid to add another world title to his bargaining power.
Mexican-American David Benavidez, holder of the WBC title, is also advised by US impresario Al Haymon, who is keen to match them over there.
The unbeaten Benavidez has knocked out 17 of his 19 opponents but at just 20 lacks DeGale's wealth of experience.
DeGale has also set his sights on a possible showdown with George Groves
'The main thing,' says DeGale as he approaches Saturday's loosener in the London Olympic Park's Copper Box Arena, 'is that for the first time in three or four fights I will be boxing with two good arms.
'I could hardly use my right in that epic fight with Badou Jack in January.
'I was beginning to wonder if my career might be over. But then I am a worrier. So I set my mind on being back before the end of the year.
'Once I did that I knew I'd be okay and here we are.
'It's been a long and painful recovery but I had to have the operation and now I feel stronger than ever before.'
DeGale v Truax will be televised live this Saturday night on BoxNation and BT Sport.
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