Skip to content

DeGale, Groves head north

Image: DeGale: Fight switched to Liverpool

The card involving James DeGale and George Groves on December 9 has been moved to the Liverpool Echo Arena.

Latest Boxing Stories

Liverpool venue steps in to stage quality clashes

Frank Warren's show planned for the ExCeL London on Friday December 9 - joint-headlined by James DeGale and George Groves in separate championship fights - has been switched to the Liverpool Echo Arena. The ExCeL venue was unable to stage the event due to their Olympic test event commitment, while other London venue was available. However, the Echo Arena has now stepped in to make sure the card goes ahead as planned. Last month Liverpool star Tony Bellew and Nathan Cleverly fought for the WBO World Light-Heavyweight title in Liverpool, while in July John Murray and Kevin Mitchell were also involved in a thrilling contest there. DeGale will take on tough Spaniard Jose Guerrero in the first defence of his WBO Intercontinental Super-Middleweight title, while his great rival Groves will defend his Commonwealth strap against an as yet unconfirmed opponent.

On the bill

The card will also feature Olympian Billy Joe Saunders in a ten-round international contest, backed up by former British and Commonwealth Featherweight champion Stephen Smith; his younger brother Liam Smith and light-middleweight talent Joe Selkirk. Promoter Frank Warren said, "I'm grateful that Ian Congdon and his team at the Liverpool Echo Arena stepped in to stage the event. "With the great fights we've had recently at the arena with Cleverly v Bellew and Murray v Mitchell, plus cracking title fights with Paul Smith in the past, Liverpool has now become the hotbed of British boxing. "The fans are fantastic and really love their boxing and come out and support the shows so I'm delighted that James and George plus all the local lads will feature on the card."

Around Sky