George Groves predicts James DeGale will lose against Chris Eubank Jnr 

George Groves is picking Chris Eubank Jnr to win his grudge fight with James DeGale on Saturday night.

Groves will be on the safe side of the ropes at the O2, kick-starting what he hopes will develop into a new career as a television analyst.

The Saint, having retired after losing his world super-middleweight title to Callum Smith, suspects that DeGale is suffering as he did from burn-out after too many tough fights.

George Groves believes James DeGale (pictured) will lose to Chris Eubank Jnr on Saturday

‘If DeGale was still in his prime he would beat Eubank easily,’ says Groves. ‘But he hasn’t looked great in the last two years.’ 

He traces Chunky’s decline to a brutal draw in New York against Badou Jack, a result which retained the IBF world title he vacated subsequently but in which both fighters sustained damaging punishment.

‘That took a lot out of James,’ says Groves. ‘And if he loses this one he knows he will have to retire. There will be nothing left out there for him.’ 

Groves, who has just hung up the gloves at 30, fought and defeated both DeGale (narrowly) and Eubank (comfortably) and says: ‘DeGale is much the better boxer but since his injuries he never seems to be fully fit. He’s finishing fights saying he was only at something like 30 per cent of his best. 

Eubank Jnr takes part in a workout ahead of his fight with DeGale at London’s O2 Arena 

‘I don’t know how he works out those mad percentages but he’s not the same fighter.’ 

DeGale is now 33, Eubank 29. At risk of being accused of ageism Groves says: ‘Lately James has been going to sleep before fights, in-between rounds, during rounds. If he switches off like that Eubank can lay it on him and rack up the rounds.

‘Staying light between fights because he might have trouble making the weight has also aged him. If he’s not fully focussed on Eubank he might fall completely off the rails.’ 

Groves will be working as an analyst on the fight after retiring from boxing late last month

But he does not expect Chris Jnr’s belated appointment of a full-time trainer from outside the Eubank family, American Nate Vasquez, to make the fight harder for DeGale.

Groves says: ‘If Chris is prepared to listen now, a little fresh advice might work here and there. But I don’t think he will have full confidence in a new coach in their first fight together. It takes time to build trust and a rapport.’ 

By retiring early Groves killed DeGale’s hopes of a big-money rematch between them and the Saint puts tongue in cheek to say: ‘He took Eubank hoping to fight me next but that ship has sailed and I’m happy to miss out on the pay-day since he is missing out as well. Ideally this might deflate him for a couple of weeks.’ 

Groves beat DeGale back in 2011 and it had been hoped that the pair would have a rematch

But Groves denies he is still harbouring his own long-standing rivalry with his West London neighbour: ‘I’m not too fussed any more. I don’t see much of James but I’m ready to be the nice guy whenever we bump into each other around boxing.’ 

Starting Saturday night? ‘Look,’ says Groves. ‘DeGale has a job to do in the toughest sport of all and I hope he’s taken Eubank seriously.’ 

DeGale v Eubank will be televised live Saturday night on ITV Box Office