Bitter super-middleweight rivals George Groves and James DeGale will leave their series at two fights for the time being, as the British Boxing Board of Control have refused to order an immediate rematch following 'The Saint's close but deserved decision victory over 'Chunky' on Saturday (May 21) night.

The 23-year-old Groves smartly outboxed DeGale for much of their 12-round British and Commonwealth title affair ar London's O2 Arena, and, despite pleas from the DeGale camp, two of three judges and 15,000 fans believed the Hammersmith man deserved his majority decision verdict. 

This opinion was shared by Robert Smith, Secretary of the Board, who told Gareth A. Davies of The Daily 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?"

Smith added: "DeGale could come back as mandatory challenger. If DeGale is the leading contender in six months' time, he will be made mandatory challenger. If DeGale has anything about him, he will come back stronger from this. It was a test of how he grows. It will not have done him any harm at all."

"I'm fairly sure we will see these two box each other again, but when and where we don't know yet. In boxing terms, they are still learning. One is 23, the other is 25. There was huge expectancy on both young men and they were under great pressure in a venue that was full. They put on a great fight."