Groves vs DeGale negotiations: Groves "I feel he needs me more then I need him"

Macklin said in an interview that he had sold 1500 tickets to the magnificent 7 show. Frank Warren said he had to returned over 1500 tickets to Barkers fans 3 weeks before the show. The show was in Macklins hometown.

When Macklin faced Wayne Elcock for the British title, in an all Birmingham affair the show barley did 2000. Barker sold that for his European title fight at 3 weeks notice and did 3000 for his British and Commonwealth title fights.

Bakrer 100% has a bigger following that Matthew Macklin who is not a big ticket seller.

 

I never said anything about it being a loss to british fans......

 

One thing I think we are underestimating is the fact Warrens match making style may have changed. He has been known to be overly cautious, but thats when he had a set TV deal with Sky/ITV/Setanta where he would get paid an already decided amount for a World/European/Domestic title fight.

Now that Warren is doing Sky PPV shows the amount of money he makes from a show is dependent on PPV buys, which is dependent on him putting on fights that appeal to the boxing fans and general sports fans.

Groves vs DeGale is a fight that boxing fans would pay to see, and with an almost guarenteed public heated build up, the general sport fan would also jump on board. If you think about it its a Super Middleweight version of Haye vs Harrison happening 8 years ago.

 

George Groves today

On the DeGale Fight


"We have said from day one that we are keen on the fight and we want it to happen. Frank Warren sent us a generous offer and we have in-turn made them a better offer, a substantially better offer, but as yet I haven't heard anything back."

"If we make an offer we mean it. It is a serious offer, it is substantially more, therefore the only thing I can see them doing is excepting it, or if they are going to come back and offer me more, then I don't mind either."

"You can look at it either way, example Haye and Maccarinelli built up there fight over time and when they eventually got it on, David had captured two world titles and it became a massive event."

"But that isnt going to happen with me and 'Destined to Fail', we are in a hot division, both with just 10 and 8 fights, novices respectfully, I know where I'm going, I know someday I'm going to be world champion and I hope it is sooner rather than later, but its a fight I'm quite happy to have now."

"He is not a marquee name, its not like after I beat him I'm going to be able to retire as an Hall of fame fighter or even necessary go on to fight for a world title. At the moment I feel he needs me more than I need him."

"Hes sitting there after his fight on a PPV event, calling me out aggressively like that on TV. And saying that hes the golden ticket for these guys, these guys are living off his name and need him, well why is he calling me out then? It doesn't make sense!"

"But I think the reason he is calling me out is because he needs me! I'm the champion, I'm the main event fighter, Ive got my own Sky dates, I sell tickets, he doesn't! I think they are thinking, we are having a show in London, so lets get Grovesy on, he sells tickets, so lets make this fight happen it will make financial sense. That's the reason they have come after me."

"I genuinely cant stand him, you know boxing people are usually the nicest people in the world, I couldn't tell you anyone in boxing who I don't like except him 'Destined to Fail DeGale',"

"Since we became rivals in the amateurs, hostilities have built up, even though I haven't really seen him for God knows how long, it has just been there to manifest, but that's fine by me, because when this fight comes about, you know, its going to be a real fight, I'm here I mean business. I'm not a little kid now at fifteen and him seventeen, sparring as amateurs."

On his October 30th fight

"It's really exciting, it's going to be a great show, and I'm really looking forward to getting back in action in London where everyone can come and see me box. They don't have to travel like for my last fight where a few people had to travel all the way to America to see me box", enthused Groves.


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