Wednesday 8 July 2015 11:30, UK
WBC world super-middleweight champion Badou Jack claims mandatory challenger George Groves is 'the perfect opponent' for him on August 22.
The 31-year-old champion (19-1-1-KO12) will fight the Londoner (21-2-0-KO16) at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas having upset Anthony Dirrell on a majority decision to take the belt in April.
Jack told BoxingScene.com: "This is a perfect opponent for my first fight as champion.
"He's the number one contender and is proven at world level. These are the challenges I want. It's what I expected going in to the Dirrell fight. I'm champion now, there's no sense in going backwards.
"I know that Groves is coming to get what I want, so I'm training like I'm the challenger, like I have to take the world title from him. As far as I'm concerned, I'm training like this will be a tougher fight than Anthony Dirrell."
Jack's promoter, Leonard Ellerbe, is confident that 'Saint George' will head back to Britain without the strap and is tipping his fighter to enjoy a long reign at the top.
In an interview reported in the Gambian Observer, Ellerbe said: "Badou Jack is a terrific fighter. He’s a young man who is focused on his career. I think guys like him - they become better fighters when they become champions.
"I think he’s going to have a long reign as a super-middleweight champion, and he’s the kind of guy who, after this fight with George Groves, won’t be creeping up on anybody.
"George Groves is an excellent fighter, but he can’t beat Badou Jack."
