Groves vows to avenge ‘stonewall robbery’
George Groves has told Carl Froch the champion “cannot possibly win” their world super-middleweight title rematch.
Hammersmith’s Groves will try again to take Froch’s World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation belts at Wembley Stadium on 31 May.
Their first meeting, in Manchester in November, ended in controversy when Groves was stopped in the ninth round.
The previously unbeaten challenger floored Froch in the first round, was ahead on points and appeared to be well capable of continuing when referee Howard Foster stepped in following a flurry of shots from the Nottingham man.
“It was stonewall robbery the first time – everyone knows this,” said Groves.
“It brings me great joy this [rematch] is happening in my home town, with my home crowd.
“Know this, Carl, this is perfect for me now. There is not one thing that will be left to chance.”
There has been a clamour for a rematch since their first clash, although Froch indicated he would look elsewhere before the IBF ordered him to fight Groves again or risk being stripped of the title.
For Groves, that was a sign the three-times champion did not want to face him.
“Carl Froch now has to fight a match he does not want to take, a fight he knows he cannot possibly win,” he declared.
Froch, meanwhile, suggested he would repeat the form he showed against Lucian Bute in 2012 – one of the best wins of his career.
Canadian Bute, then an unbeaten world champion, was highly fancied to win that fight but was destroyed in five rounds.
“I’ve missed the gym and missed boxing – that’s bad news for George Groves because I’m looking forward to getting back and doing the business,” said Froch.
“The last time I felt this confident and focused was the build-up for the Lucian Bute fight and we all know what happened then.”
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