Groves insists he is ready to take on Froch

George Groves insists he is ready to face world champion Carl Froch.

Hammersmith’s unbeaten Commonwealth super-middleweight champion maintained his march towards a world title shot with a third-round knockout of Dario Balmaceda of Argentina at Wembley Arena on Saturday.

And the 24-year-old has dismissed suggestions he is not yet equipped to take on Nottingham’s seasoned IBF title holder.

Groves declared: “I genuinely believe I’m not out of my depth there. I don’t want to be a fighter who waits around until world champions have retired or are dipping.

“He’ll earn more money fighting me – two Brits for a world title – than he will with other fights.

“He’s had tough fights. Hopefully he’ll see me as a knock-over job and will have a go.

“I just want to point out that it is a realistic fight for me. Maybe, down the line, we can get it on.

“People are putting me in the ‘prospect’ category and that’s a safe category to be in, but I’ve never wanted to be a comfortable fighter.

“I’m moving on to fight for world titles. I like to think I’m an exciting fighter in an exciting division, and I want to be in the mix.”

The Balmaceda bout was Groves’ first since leaving promoter Frank Warren for Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Sport.

He is due to fight on the undercard of the 25 May showdown between Froch, who is also promoted by Matchroom, and Mikkel Kessler at the O2 Arena – and could even be in action again before then.

“It was a tough couple of weeks. I had a lot on my mind – all the chopping and changing – and I had to put that to one side,” said Groves.

“It was a challenge getting in the ring with someone I knew nothing about. Going in blind, you have to be spot-on and I was happy with the performance.

“I want to keep this momentum going. If Eddie can get me out again soon that would be fantastic.

“It would be nice to get a few more rounds before having a big fight on 25 May.”

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