DeGale taunts Groves

DeGale, 25, was beaten by Groves as an amateur in 2006 but his career went on an upwards trajectory as he qualified for the 2008 Olympics before winning gold for Great Britain in Beijing.

Commonwealth champion Groves, two years his junior, missed out on the Olympics but also went professional in the months following the Games and like DeGale has an unbeaten record.

And the elder Londoner continued what is developing into a war of words with Groves.

"Come on, let’s not play games - he is an ugly, ugly guy," DeGale told Eurosport, echoing a recent TV interview where he mocked Groves's looks. "But all the mouthing off and name-calling are going to be forgotten on fight night when I knock him out.

"I just hope he doesn’t freeze and hope he fights properly - I hope so because, from what I know of him as an amateur, he has talent and heart, although maybe more balls than brains."

DeGale has been involved with several televised spats with Groves since the May 21 fight was announced, with the exchanges acidic to say the least.

Fans could be forgiven for thinking them scripted - after all they were amateur stablemates and were known to spar together - but DeGale insists the animosity is personal as well as professional.

"We were at the same club, came from round the same way, around the same age," DeGale continued.

"We had hard spars but he was always that ugly kid, the other kid behind James DeGale. We both went to ABA together but he beat me, robbed me.

"And I have to give that to him - if he hadn’t won we wouldn’t be in the positions we are in now.

"I used it to motivate myself, make myself a better fighter: I went on to qualify for the Olympic Games, using that anger to qualify by right, and I used it to win gold for my country. Yes, he’s done well, we’ve both done well and we meet again.

"Hate is a strong word though. It’s a big word - I don’t hate anyone. I dislike people. I dislike him - and he dislikes me."

DeGale repeated his threat to stop Groves in the fourth round, although conceded he had improved technically following his 12 professional bouts, nine of which have been won by knockout.

"If he comes to fight me the way I know him, it will last four rounds," DeGale added.

"But he’s been trying to play Mr Technical recently, so he could try something different.

"Whatever happens I can’t see it going to 12 rounds - we’re both going to be in top shape come May 21 so there will be no excuses."