George Groves using James DeGale's defeat as a reminder to stay ‘switched on’ for fight with Chris Eubank Jr

George Groves insists he is still well ahead of the ravages of boxing life which brought down his former rival James DeGale.

It is why, he says, he is at ease with life as a world champion and oozes with confidence about the challenge posed by Chris Eubank jr in Manchester tonight.

Londoner Groves, 29, is preparing for his defence of the WBA super-middleweight title against Brighton’s 28-year-old IBO champion Eubank, with the pre-fight money surprisingly swinging slightly against the Hammersmith fighter.

By contrast, fellow Londoner De Gale – who was all set to return as a major force in the super-middle division so well populated by Brits - is in critical need of a re-match against the little-known American, Caleb Truax, who took away his IBF version of the title in a shock victory last December.

It may be the only way to save his career.

Groves said: “DeGale’s loss is a reminder that if you’re not switched on, you shouldn’t be fighting.

“Truax was hand-picked and brought in to give him a tune-up. But he hurt DeGale.

“But I have never felt better or more in tune with myself as a fighter.

“The Truax fight showed that DeGale is just gone. He has too many miles on the clock.

“It catches up with fighters. But I have never felt better than I have working with my trainer, Shane McGuigan.

“As soon as I walked in his gym, I knew it was right for me after not getting things right with trainers previously”.

The shock defeat of DeGale, 32, offered a lesson about the way the rigours of boxing on the edge can catch up boxers who have to do things the hard way..

He had fought four times across the Atlantic previously and had been involved in a brutal, drawn battle against Badou Jack.

Hammersmith's Groves inflicted DeGale’s only prior defeat in 2011.

Groves was himself involved in three tough world title defeats - twice against Carl Froch – and then Badou Jack before he won the WBA belt by defeating Russian Fedor Chudinov last May.

The meeting with Eubank is also a semi-final in the hugely popular World Boxing Super Series knockout tournament.

Groves described Eubank’s policy of training himself – with help from his father and former world champion Chris senior - as “the blind leading the blind.

“I suppose there are people out there thinking – they must know what they are doing.

“The reality is that I don’t think they do.

“It’s just not reality.

“But I have had a nice long camp and I am in great shape.

“I am glad I am fighting Eubank. He is the perfect opponent for me right now.

“He has managed to talk himself into a formidable position. Some even think he is the favourite. UI just don’t see it.

“I am planning to win this, win the Muhammad Ali Trophy, build a legacy of title defences and retire as champion.”