Cleverly, Bellew, DeGale, Joshua, Quigg and more on November 22
Monday 10 November 2014 14:53, UK
George Groves is back on Sky Sports Box Office as he continues his march towards another world title shot next month.
The European super-middleweight champion will face dangerous American Denis Douglin on the undercard of Nathan Cleverly’s rematch with Tony Bellew in Liverpool on November 22.
He returns to the channel following his two brave defeats against Carl Froch, with the second coming almost six months ago in front of a sell-out crowd at Wembley Stadium.
Just last month, Groves got back to winning ways with a points triumph over Christopher Rebrasse, which secured the European title and the status of mandatory challenger for WBC champion Anthony Dirrell.
He will continue to rise up the rankings if he defeats Douglin, but could have his hands full against the skilful southpaw, who has 17 wins and just three defeats.
Groves is a great boxer, it will be a tough fight but I’m ready to cause an upset. I’m coming to fight my fight and to beat Groves on his home turf.
The New Jersey man, nicknamed ‘Momma’s Boy’, has been trained by his mother, Saphya, since he was eight-years old and the pair stuck together despite three professional defeats.
He has racked up three straight wins in the last eight months and will be hoping to shock the Hammersmith man in Merseyside next month.
‘’This is a big opportunity for me,’’ said Douglin. ‘’Win this fight and I’m a step closer to realising my dream of becoming world champion.
"Groves is a great boxer, it will be a tough fight but I’m ready to cause an upset. I’m coming to fight my fight and to beat Groves on his home turf.’’
Groves was keen to sharpen his skills ahead of his world title challenge against Dirrell, but recognises that his career will be dealt a huge setback if he slips up in front of the Sky cameras.
"In September I won the European title and I just want to stay busy, fight again before Christmas," he told Sky Sports News HQ.
"We knew it would be highly unlikely to fight Dirrell in that timeframe so the time is right to get one more fight in.
Obviously if I lose, I lose my mandatory slot, so there is a lot on the line. But we are confident that this is the right move.
"Obviously if I lose, I lose my mandatory slot, so there is a lot on the line. But we are confident that this is the right move. It’s a few more rounds banked ahead of the big fight and it’s another chance to go out and perform."
Talks are still ongoing about the Dirrell fight, but Groves is hopeful it will be staged in Britain early next year.
"If we can’t agree terms with Dirrell’s people, we’ve got a purse bid situation in December so that’s going to take place in Vegas," said Groves.
"We are going to head out there, try to win the bid and bring the fight to London.
"The fight then has to take place within 90 days. Hopefully if all goes to plan, we’ll be challenging for a world title on British soil around February, March, April time."
The fights confirmed for 22 November at Liverpool’s Echo Arena include:
Nathan Cleverly v Tony Bellew
Eliminator for world cruiserweight title
James DeGale v Marco Antonio Periban
12 rounds super-middleweight
George Groves v Denis Douglin
12 rounds super-middleweight
Scott Quigg v Hidenori Othake
WBA world super-bantamweight title
Jamie McDonnell v Walberto Ramos
WBA world bantamweight title
Anthony Joshua v Michael Sprott
Final eliminator for British heavyweight title
Callum Smith v Nikola Sjekloca
Final eliminator for WBC super middleweight title
