George Groves has stunned British boxing by signing a promotional agreement with Frank Warren.
Saint signs three-year deal to share promoter with DeGale
George Groves has stunned boxing by signing a promotional agreement with Frank Warren.
The British and Commonwealth Super-Middleweight champion has signed a three-year deal that will see him box under the same banner as bitter rival James DeGale.
Groves, who is unbeaten in 13 fights, will be hoping the move will bring him a closer to a world-title shot.
But Warren, who has guided Joe Calzaghe, Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank and Steve Collins to glory at 168lbs says whatever happens a rematch with DeGale is inevitable.
"I'm very happy that George has chosen to come under my promotional banner and we will now be involved in some big fights," said Warren.
"He's a good fighter and the last fight against James DeGale was the first time I had worked with him.
"Of course, everyone is asking about a return with James, who I represent, and it is an obvious fight that will definitely happen again. The last fight was very close and a few observers felt that it could have gone either way. One thing's for sure the public will want to see it again.
"It's a big domestic rivalry that will become ever bigger."
Strange
Groves will continue to be trained and managed by Adam Booth and Hayemaker Boxing, but will now get the chance to join the likes of world champions Nathan Cleverly and Ricky Burns on Warren bills.
The two camps were at loggerheads in the bitter build-up to the May showdown with DeGale and the Hammersmith fighter had looked set to join Matchroom Sport before the shock announcement. And although David Haye's future as a boxer remains in doubt, Booth insists he is still fully committed to Groves.
"On the surface, this may seem a strange decision from me and Hayemaker Boxing to have made, but this is all about what is best for the career of George and we believe that working with Frank is the best decision we could have made," he said.
"George has the full support of both myself and David Haye as we know that if anybody can take George to the top, Frank is the man."
