James DeGale has welcomed Paul Smith's Sunday roast dinner offer - but says he will have the British super-middleweight champion for breakfast.
The pair meet on December 11 at the Liverpool Echo Arena on Frank Warren's big 30th anniversary card that also features Nathan Cleverly, Kell Brook, Matthew Macklin, Tony Bellew and Frankie Gavin.
It could turn out to be one of the most brutal and explosive fights of the year, but the good friends will remain just that whatever the outcome.
"Paul's very generous, offering me a Sunday roast at his house as well as the chance to take his belt off him," said DeGale.
"I hope he's still talking to me after I've walked off with his Lonsdale belt.
"Seriously, I've got nothing but respect for Paul and everything he has achieved.
However, the Olympic Champion and undefeated professional has harsher words for George Groves.
He added, "He's never bad-mouthed me, unlike that ugly ginger kid George Groves.
"Groves is the kind of boxer I can't stand because he's trying to live off my name and my Olympic gold medal.
"And then when we gave him the chance to fight me, he said no.
"On the other hand, Paul could have gone on and fought for a world title, but he decided to take on me instead.
"I'm friends with the Smith family, and I hope I will still be friends with them after the fight.
"Boxing is a tough business and sometimes you have to make tough fights for whatever reason.
"Paul and I will knock ten bells out of each other and then we'll be mates again afterwards."
Tickets for the Return of the Magnificent Seven, priced at £40, £50, £100, £150 and £250, are available from:
