Sunday 21 September 2014 13:56, UK
Carl Froch warned George Groves to wait longer for another world title shot, despite his convincing points win over Christopher Rebrasse at Wembley Arena.
The Hammersmith man was having his first fight since his knockout defeat at the hands of the IBF and WBA champion in May, but shed any lingering mental scars in a unanimous decision victory against the durable Frenchman.
If I’m going to have the decider with anyone, it’s got to be Mikkel Kessler.
With the win, Groves becomes mandatory challenger for WBC champion Anthony Dirrell, but Froch insists he should avoid the American.
Dirrell dug deep to earn the title with an ugly points win over Sakio Bika last month and the Nottingham man feels he would grind down ‘Saint George’, should the pair meet in the ring.
“I think he’s going to really struggle to beat Anthony Dirrell. I just think he’s just too much for him, especially down the straight,” said Froch, who watched his old rival from ringside.
Groves suffered a second stoppage at the hands of Froch in front of nearly 80,000 fans at Wembley Stadium, but still called for a third fight after defeating Rebrasse.
He said: “You’ve stopped me twice Carl, but I still think I can beat you and everyone will laugh but so be it, maybe we can do it again. I know you are dancing around at the moment and not in boxing.”
A two-nil gesture from 'The Cobra' drew a more respectful reply from Groves, who said: “I tip my hat to you Carl, immense respect, punch from the gods.
“I’d love to have another crack. If you’re up for it, maybe next year who knows? They might have to build a new stadium for us.”
But Froch ruled out a third fight with the 26-year-old, preferring to look towards new options home and abroad.
“Third fight with me? You know if it was 1-1, in two close fights, then you have the decider,” he said.
“If I’m going to have the decider with anyone, it’s got to be Mikkel Kessler.”
The 37-year-old admitted he was not ‘excited’ about the prospect of facing IBF mandatory challenger James DeGale and is still hoping for a Las Vegas fight.
“I’ve got to sit down and speak to Eddie Hearn my promoter over the next couple of weeks,” he said.
“Whoever I fight, it’s going to be a big fight. I mentioned (Mikkel) Kessler, there is Anthony Dirrell, James DeGale is mandatory for the IBF title, so these are all names potentially.
“We are still looking at Julio Chavez junior. For me, I’d still love to fight in Las Vegas, the fight capital of the world.
“To go back to an arena and fight another British level fighter doesn’t really get me excited.
“Anything is a possibility.”
