Groves to face Douglin in ‘calculated risk’
George Groves and James DeGale will both be in action at the Echo Arena on 22 November.
It has been announced that Groves will face American Denis Douglin at the Liverpool venue, where his arch-rival and fellow West Londoner DeGale is already scheduled to fight former world title challenger Marco Antonio Periban of Mexico.
The super-middleweights, who met in May 2011 when Groves narrowly beat DeGale on points, are on course to challenge for world titles next year.
DeGale is the mandatory challenger for the IBF belt held by Nottingham’s Carl Froch, who followed up a controversial win over Groves by knocking out the Hammersmith man in their rematch at Wembley in May.
“I want to box as regularly as possible and I’m confident I can get the job done.”
George Groves
Groves bounced back from those defeats – his first two losses – by beating Christopher Rebrasse last month, picking up the European title and more importantly becoming the mandatory challenger to face WBC champion Anthony Dirrell.
“I’m looking forward to getting back in the ring,” said Groves.
“This is a chance for me to impress on a big card. I plan to steal the show.
“It’s a calculated risk, lose this fight and I lose my shot at Dirrell. But I want to stay active. I want to box as regularly as possible and I’m confident I can get the job done.
“I’ve good memories of fighting at the Echo Arena. It’s been a happy hunting ground for me in the past. I fought my third professional fight there against Paul Samuels and I picked up a lot of fans in Liverpool that night.
“They’re a lively bunch and I hope to bump into a few of them when I’m back in November.”
Douglin, who has a record of 17-3 with 10 knockouts, said: “This is a big opportunity for me.
“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.”
The Liverpool show is headlined by a rematch between Nathan Cleverly and Tony Bellew.
The pair are meeting at cruiserweight, with Liverpudlian Bellew having previously lost on points to Wales’ Cleverly in a light-heavyweight world title fight.
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