Wednesday 7 June 2017 13:29, UK
James DeGale is already certain he will return from his operation a better fighter and is "100 per cent certain" he would beat George Groves on the back of it.
The IBF super-middleweight champion is in Manchester for a shoulder operation that he has had for the last two fights.
DeGale is confident he will be back before the end of the year but took a final swipe at his bitter rival, who won the WBA 'Super' world title two weeks ago and has already claimed a rematch between them needs to be a straight 50-50 split.
I am sure this is going to be fixed and get me back and when it does, I will be even better and able to show why I am the best in the world - and so much better than Groves.
"He's being more stupid than ever!" he told Sky Sports when asked for a response to the suggestion.
"He thinks he's bigger than he is. Come on, look who he boxed to win that title: it was over here and he was nowhere near as good as Andre Dirrell.
"I did watch it and I was pleased for him, actually very pleased for him. He has actually managed to finally do it and it just makes our fight even bigger.
"If it was up to me and he does manage to hang onto that title, it will hopefully happen, but know what this sport is like, so I can't say 100 per cent it will happen.
"But if it does, I will 100 per cent certain I win. This shoulder has been a problem for the last two fights but you will see .
"I have been a world champion for longer than all of them out together and I have done that with these annoying injured and operations.
"I am sure this is going to be fixed and get me back and when it does, I will be even better and able to show why I am the best in the world - and so much better than Groves."
DeGale revealed that the initial shoulder problem emerged before his mandatory defence against Rogelio 'Porky' Medina in April 2016.
It resurfaced ahead of his unification fight with Badou Jack in New York at the start of the year - which also saw him lose a tooth in the majority draw - and even though it meant any IBF fight with compatriot Callum Smith has been scrapped, the 31-year-old is already looking forward.
"Look at those last two fights, there just isn't that flow, there isn't those combinations or that rhythm. It's hard to explain but it just didn't feel right. This will be my third problem in less than two years and it is so frustrating
"I can't put a date on when I will be back and we have to see how the recovery goes but I am 100 per cent confident - and hoping - I will be back before this year's out.
"I want to be ready to go and we will see, but I have already spoken to the doctor and the physio and I should be back this year.
"After the Badou Jack fight, I wasn't going I go back in the ring until everything is fixed. We are not talking about the sort of niggles every fighter goes in with; these are operations we are talking about, where I couldn't throw a hook, breath or twist my hips or bend or move properly.
"It's crazy but I honestly don't think people have seen the best of me, I am coming into my prime now, my peak and hopefully this goes well and I will be even better."
DeGale will be operated by Len Funk, renowned for working on shoulder issues with elite and professional athletes.
