Groves eases to victory in Germany

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George Groves eased to his second quick victory in as many weeks, this time stopping Baker Barakat in round two in Magdeburg, east Germany.

Only a fortnight after his third-round knockout of Dario Balmaceda at Wembley Arena, Hammersmith’s unbeaten super-middleweight was on top from the start against his Syrian opponent and staggered him with a vicious left towards the end of the first round.

There was no reprieve in the second for Barakat, who was floored after being caught with two heavy right hooks.

He got to his feet but was then hurt by a left-right follow-up, prompting the referee to end the contest.

The fight took place on the undercard of the world title clash between Robert Stieglitz and WBO champion Arthur Abraham.

Commonwealth title holder Groves, now the WBO’s number one contender, has been tipped to face the winner of the Abraham-Stieglitz bout.

Last year an injury forced him to withdraw from a proposed world title challenge against Stieglitz, who was then champion.

Groves, 24, is next due to appear as the chief support to the rematch between world champions Carl Froch and Mikkel Kessler at the O2 Arena in May.

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