Cleverly v Bellew II: James DeGale hopes for a rematch of his own against George Groves

James DeGale: Waiting for Carl Froch to make decision about possible fight

James DeGale could switch his attention to a rematch against George Groves if he defeats Marco Antonio Periban.

The Harlesden fighter is mandatory challenger for Carl Froch’s IBF super-middleweight title, but is being forced to wait for the champion to make a decision about his future.

DeGale can keep himself in the spotlight with a win over Periban this Saturday, live on Sky Sports Box Office, and has urged Froch to either face him or vacate his title.

If the fight against the Nottingham man fails to materialise, then the Londoner is keen to renew his rivalry with Groves, who defeated him on points in 2011.

If Carl Froch is there, he’s there, but time is running out for him. He has to make his mind up by the end of December. James DeGale

“Yeah, obviously I would like to box Carl Froch, but I’m not chasing Carl Froch,” he told Sky Sports News HQ. “I’m chasing my dream - and that’s to become world champion.

“If Carl Froch is there, he’s there, but time is running out for him. He has to make his mind up by the end of December.

“If not, he gets stripped so if he’s there I have to box him - brilliant it will be a massive fight and I will beat Carl Froch. If I have to box for a vacant title or against next in line, let it be, whatever.

Public interest

DeGale’s feud with Groves dates back to their amateur days and they continue to be linked, despite forging successful careers of their own in the professional ranks.

The 28-year-old former European champion is happy to hear his former opponent’s name because he believes a second fight would create huge public interest.

“It doesn't annoy me because it’s healthy to have a rivalry in boxing, he said. "You’ve got to have that and I’m lucky in that I’ve got somebody I dislike and he dislikes me and we’ve got history.

James DeGale says he is expecting a tough test when he faces Marco Antonio Periban James DeGale says he is expecting a tough test when he faces Marco Antonio Periban

“It goes back. Me and Groves isn’t like Cleverly and Bellew - or other rivalries out there - because this is deep, this goes back. When one of us has a world title or both of us have world titles, that would be a massive fight, a huge fight - and I’m willing to take that when he’s ready.

"That’s a dream fight, a big, big possibility. I’m mandatory challenger for the IBF world title, he’s mandatory challenger for the WBC.

“If that happens in the early part of next year, we can have a massive stadium fight next year and it could be bigger than Froch-Groves II. You never know.

“I’m just concentrating on Saturday, Marco Antonio Periban. I’m going to deal with him and we’ll see after that.”

Watch DeGale v Periban live and exclusive as part of Cleverly v Bellew II, on Sky Sports Box Office on November 22, with Joshua, Groves, Smith and more, also on. Go to skysports.com/cleverlybellew to book.