Paul Smith wants DeGale rematch after facing Groves

Smith (l) was British super-middleweight champion when he faced James DeGale and is targeting a rematch with the Londoner if he beats George Groves

Paul Smith feels a win against British and Commonwealth super-middleweight champion George Groves could set up a rematch with James DeGale.

Smith faces Groves at Wembley Arena on 5 November, while DeGale challenges European champion Piotr Wilczewski in Liverpool on 15 October.

"Groves beat DeGale and you get these exciting trilogies," the 28-year-old Liverpudlian told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"Let's hope I can beat Groves and fight DeGale for three titles."

Smith lost his British title to DeGale last December, DeGale was then beaten by Groves in May.

Since being stopped by DeGale in the ninth-round of their meeting at the ECHO Arena, Smith has moved to Joe Gallagher's Manchester base.

He will go into his meeting with Groves on the back of consecutive wins by first-round knock-out, including a demolition of Paul Samuels at the Liverpool Olympia on 17 September.

Smith admits his defeat by DeGale still haunts him: "I didn't perform near to what I can do.

"I didn't get the graft in the gym, which I needed but that's all in the past."

Smith is unconcerned by Groves' recent victory over DeGale and says he will use Groves' win over Kenny Anderson as a template for success.

"I don't think he's improved since (beating) Anderson.

"Kenny Anderson took him at short notice and if he'd have had more in the tank he'd have got him out of there late.

"In my opinion he was tiring from round six and that's what he does all the time," added Smith.