George Groves mocks rival DeGale after Eubank Jr loss and urges him to retire
The former two-time IBF champion was dropped twice by Next Gen as he lost on points at the 02 Arena
GEORGE GROVES channelled his inner Prince Naseem Hamed as he urged James DeGale to retire from boxing following his points defeat against Chris Eubank Jr.
The 2008 Olympic gold medallist was dropped twice against the Brighton-based boxer as judges scored the fight 114-112 115-112 117-109 in favour of Next Gen.
Chunky failed to trouble the 29-year-old at the 02 Arena, and was unable to deal with his opponent’s power and relentless onslaught of punches.
The 33-year-old hinted that would be the last bout of his career after he insisted he has left his mark in boxing after winning two world titles.
He said: “I’m going to go back talk to my team and family but I’ve been to the heights of boxing.
“I’ve won an Olympic gold medal, won the world title twice, made history and I’ve boxed the best around the world.
“I’ve left my mark in boxing – I’m the history man.”
And former foe Groves – who won a controversial split decision against DeGale in 2011 – echoed his thoughts that he should hang up his gloves.
Speaking on ITV Box Office, the Chelsea fan said: “I’m going to do my best Naseem Hamed impression. James, sorry mate, you called it and it is retirement time James.
“It really is, all jokes aside. He ain’t got it no more. He wasn’t there at the races tonight.
“He’s had a fantastic career, he’s achieved everything he set out to achieve.
“He’s got a lovely house in St Albans, he’s earned a few quid. Good on him, fair play to him, but he should now hang up the gloves.”
Groves himself called it quits last month after he lost his WBA super-middleweight title against Callum Smith in Saudi Arabia in September.