James DeGale reveals he was injured in last five fights

British boxer James DeGale has revealed that he was suffering with injury in his last five bouts in the ring.

The super-middleweight fighter has claimed that he underwent an operation in December after tearing a muscle in his lower abdomen, but has insisted that he is now fully fit.

"I can tell you the honest truth now," DeGale told The Guardian. "My last five fights I've been injured. After my last fight I had an operation [on December 7]. I had something called Gilmore's Groin.

"A lot of footballers get it. Years ago they had to retire. I couldn't run or twist, turn, couldn't train properly. I've been boxing like this for a couple of years but it gradually got worse. I fought, boxed shit, I won. I just got through it."

DeGale is gearing up for a fight against unbeaten Gevorg Khatchikian in Bristol on March 1.