James DeGale regrets not being a part of the World Boxing Super Series but hopes to face one of his British rivals -- George Groves, Chris Eubank Jr or Callum Smith -- in 2018.
The IBF world super-middleweight titleholder has found himself on the outside looking in with Groves, Eubank and Smith through to the semifinals of the eight man competition.
All four of DeGale's own world title fights since 2015 have taken place on the other side of the Atlantic while WBA titleholder Groves faces Eubank in the semifinal on Feb. 17 in British boxing's next big fight.
DeGale, (23-1-1, 14 KOs), has to be content with a keep-busy fight and fourth defence against American Caleb Truax (28-3-2, 18 KOs) while hoping to meet one of his British competitors next year.
"The Super Series is good and I'm a bit gutted I'm not in it, but it's only right that whoever is No.1 sits back and watches it and the rest fight it out to box him," DeGale told ESPN.
"Watching the Super Series is exciting and it's only right that they fight for the right to fight me.
"I originally said Callum Smith would win it, but I'm not too sure," he added. "It's either Groves, Smith or Eubank and I really can't call it. But I'm going to stick with Smith.
"Obviously I would like the winner, but domestically they are all fantastic fights. Even the loser out of Groves-Eubank, or the loser in the finals, I would happily box them.
"You could do a little tournament in England with the super-middleweights, there are some great fighters and obviously world titles as well with my IBF and the WBA.
"So hopefully all the promoters can work together and we can come to a deal where we can box off."
Groves (27-3, 20 KOs), 29, narrowly out-pointed DeGale in 2011 and a rematch remains the biggest fight yet to grace British boxing outside of the heavyweight division.
But DeGale says he now finds Eubank Jr. (26-1, 20 KOs) and his dad Chris Sr, world middleweight and super-middleweight titleholder in the 1990s, just as irritating.
"I used to think Groves was the biggest irritant but Eubank, oh, Eubank and his dad, you can't beat them," said DeGale.
"I do think Groves beats Eubank. I just think his size -- he's so much bigger than Eubank. Eubank Jr. has a lot to say, so does his Dad. The Dad doesn't shut his mouth, he's got more mouth than the son.
"Eubank Jr. believes he's the best and that'll make it a good fight when it happens."
DeGale may have to wait until late 2018 to fight one of his domestic rivals, while a showdown with Arizona's David Benavidez (19-0, 17 KOs), who won the vacant WBC title on Sept. 8, is also being eyed-up by the 31-year-old.
"David Benavidez next year is the plan," DeGale confirmed. "I spoke to [advisor] Al Haymon and asked if he could make that fight. He said 'James, that is the plan.'
"As soon as I've dealt with Truax the first stop in 2018 is Benavidez."