Groves focused on San Jose mission
George Groves insists he will take nothing for granted when he faces Mexican puncher Francisco Sierra in California this weekend.
Hammersmith’s unbeaten British and Commonwealth super-middleweight champion has already been pencilled in to fight at Wembley Arena in September.
But he is adamant he will not underestimate Sierra, whose knockout ratio suggests Groves cannot afford to be careless when they clash in San Jose on Saturday.
“He’s a very good fighter who’s been in there with some good operators and has only ever been blasted out once,” Groves told West London Sport.
“Other than that, he goes the distance – and he can bang. If you look at his record, he’s stopped 22 of his 25 wins so he’s not there to hang about.
“It’s up to me to get in there, do the business properly and have my wits about me. He’s tall and not frightened to let his hands go.
“You can’t make mistakes and lazy defensive movements or lean back when the guy’s got a reach advantage over you, because he’s nail you.”
Groves is likely to face a rematch with Kenny Anderson on the Frank Warren-promoted bill at Wembley on 14 September.
The Scot gave him a tough test in 2010, flooring Groves before the 24-year-old battled back to win.
Groves said: “I know Frank’s keen on the Kenny Anderson fight. I’m keen on it. I want to get in there and shut him up for good.
“It’ll be good that I’ll get in there and do that, but first I can’t take my eye off this weekend because Sierra is a much tougher fight than Kenny Anderson. I have to make sure I do the job properly.”
It will be Groves’ first fight since his second-round demolition of former British champion Paul Smith last November.
He had to withdraw from a fight with Anderson and a world title challenge against WBO champion Robert Steiglitz because of a back and nose injury respectively.
“I’ve fully fit and raring to go. It’s been a frustrating few months but I’m past that now,” he said.
“You can only judge how good you feel from the sessions you’re doing in the gym, and the sessions have been tip-top.
“I’ve had a 12-round sparring session which is the best I’ve done all year – and that includes the preparation I had for a world title shot.
“I’m in a really good place and I can’t wait to get out there and show it.”
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