It's a rarity to see two special prospects allowed off the leash to take on one another at relatively stages of their career.
But that's what's going to happen on the night of Saturday 21st May at The O2 Arena in London when British Super-Middleweight Champion James DeGale clashes with arch enemy George Groves, a Commonwealth title holder in the same division.
At the press conference which took place to publicise the fight today (17th May) it would appear both boxers have set out their stalls as far as publicity is concerned.
Floyd Mayweather Jr - Ricky Hatton would seem to be the promotional model.
Now bear with me, neither boxer has earned the right yet to be compared with the above two titans but it's the nearest match from recent memory in terms of exaggerated 'Good Guy v Bad Guy' personas.
DeGale appears to be playing the 'off the wall', flash, brash, (wannabe) superstar. Groves, by contrast, has come across as somewhat more subdued and perhaps more likeable. Of course, things may change in the build up if DeGale gets under Groves' skin and the more quiet character turns into somebody more agitated and animated.
It'll be interested to see what the public makes of it all - if they care.
DeGale has the Olympic gold behind him and might hope, or have hoped already, that he would be treated like a hero. After impressively beating Paul Smith in his Liverpool backyard to win his British belt he's certainly shut some critics up.
Yet, there are sure to be some boos for a person perceived by some as not having enough class or humility. It has to be said DeGale's ring entrance song, a rap entitled "Chunky", is cringe-worthy. So too his ridiculous dance step immediately after winning fights.
Mind you, does talk of naff music and silly poses sound like someone else who made a lucrative career from the sport. Yes, Chris Eubank, who always came to the ring to Simply The Best and used to do his peacock strut.
Eubank eventually won fans over and whether loved or hated, he appeared to make healthy money from the sport. So perhaps there's logic behind DeGale's attitude.
Groves could attract fans who simply want to see DeGale get beaten. While DeGale is impressive to watch when he gets his combinations going, Groves, by contrast, is arguably more fun and fan-friendly, if a little vulnerable.
Hopefully James DeGale against George Groves will boost the coverage of British boxing for all the right reasons. Maybe some casual observers are concerned after what happened when the heavily-hyped contest between David Haye and Audley Harrison took place.
This fight has all the ingredients to be a great night for British boxing. Let's hope it doesn't disappoint.
But that's what's going to happen on the night of Saturday 21st May at The O2 Arena in London when British Super-Middleweight Champion James DeGale clashes with arch enemy George Groves, a Commonwealth title holder in the same division.
At the press conference which took place to publicise the fight today (17th May) it would appear both boxers have set out their stalls as far as publicity is concerned.
Floyd Mayweather Jr - Ricky Hatton would seem to be the promotional model.
Now bear with me, neither boxer has earned the right yet to be compared with the above two titans but it's the nearest match from recent memory in terms of exaggerated 'Good Guy v Bad Guy' personas.
DeGale appears to be playing the 'off the wall', flash, brash, (wannabe) superstar. Groves, by contrast, has come across as somewhat more subdued and perhaps more likeable. Of course, things may change in the build up if DeGale gets under Groves' skin and the more quiet character turns into somebody more agitated and animated.
It'll be interested to see what the public makes of it all - if they care.
DeGale has the Olympic gold behind him and might hope, or have hoped already, that he would be treated like a hero. After impressively beating Paul Smith in his Liverpool backyard to win his British belt he's certainly shut some critics up.
Yet, there are sure to be some boos for a person perceived by some as not having enough class or humility. It has to be said DeGale's ring entrance song, a rap entitled "Chunky", is cringe-worthy. So too his ridiculous dance step immediately after winning fights.
Mind you, does talk of naff music and silly poses sound like someone else who made a lucrative career from the sport. Yes, Chris Eubank, who always came to the ring to Simply The Best and used to do his peacock strut.
Eubank eventually won fans over and whether loved or hated, he appeared to make healthy money from the sport. So perhaps there's logic behind DeGale's attitude.
Groves could attract fans who simply want to see DeGale get beaten. While DeGale is impressive to watch when he gets his combinations going, Groves, by contrast, is arguably more fun and fan-friendly, if a little vulnerable.
Hopefully James DeGale against George Groves will boost the coverage of British boxing for all the right reasons. Maybe some casual observers are concerned after what happened when the heavily-hyped contest between David Haye and Audley Harrison took place.
This fight has all the ingredients to be a great night for British boxing. Let's hope it doesn't disappoint.
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