British Board Denies Groves vs DeGale Rematch Request

Gareth A Davies of The Telegraph reports that the British Boxing Board of Control has denied a request to order an immediate British super middleweight title rematch between new champion George Groves and James DeGale:

Robert Smith, Secretary of the Board, told The Telegraph: "An immediate re-match is out of the question. The Board will not be ordering a re-match. There was nothing controversial or contentious about it. No one broke any rules. Why would the Board order a re-match? It was simply a very close fight, and there was nothing wrong with the decision."

Groves (13-0, 10 KO) won a narrow majority decision over DeGale (10-1, 8 KO) on Saturday, on scores of 115-114, 115-114 and 115-115. Groves will be allowed to make one voluntary defense within the next six months before being on the hook to face the mandatory challenger, which could be DeGale by then, as he's a former titlist and still a top contender. If Frank Warren and DeGale simply get a fight approved as an eliminator bout, and DeGale wins, he'll be right back in line. Groves and DeGale should be fairly heavy favorites over anyone on domestic level right now, and a rematch could be in line sooner than later.