Froch to face Groves in all UK showdown

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com IBF Super Middleweight champion Carl Froch will defend against mandatory challenger George Groves in what will be a much anticipated United Kingdom showdown.

“I’m delighted to have got this fight made,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “It’s a great fight for British boxing with a real throwback feel to the big domestic fights in the super middleweight division in the ’90s. When George became the mandatory challenger, I knew there was no way Carl would relinquish the belt and no way that George would look anywhere else.

“This fight will grow and grow and fans can expect an exciting night and a packed undercard when full details of the fight are announced.”

“I’m excited the first defense of both my belts is a big domestic clash,” Froch said. “I am a proper fighter and a proper champion and I will always face my mandatory challenger rather than vacate the title. I’ve known George for a while. I’ve sparred with him and watched him grow and now he’s my mandatory. I will be pouring everything into my preparation for the fight and George will face the very best of me.

“It is better this way than a low-key overseas opponent as this fight will relight memories of some of the great all-British clashes and, with world titles on the line, it’s a really huge occasion and one that will grab the attention of British sports fans.”

“This is the biggest fight of my career and being a world champion is something that I dreamed of as a kid,” Groves said. “I’m well-ranked across all the governing bodies but fighting Carl is the one that I wanted the most. He is a big name in the U.K. and a well-respected champion around the world, and I have a great team around me that can put together the right game plan to beat him and become a world champion and a major force in the super middleweight division.”