Super middleweight contender George Groves is not dwelling on his knockout loss to Carl Froch in their super middleweight title rematch. He's getting right back to work.
England's Groves will face Christopher Rebrasse on Sept. 20 in a 168-pound title eliminator at the SSE Arena at Wembley in London -- with Rebrasse's European title also on the line -- Groves promoter Sauerland Event announced on Tuesday.
Groves (19-2, 15 KOs), 26, has lost back-to-back fights to Froch. Their first meeting, a ninth-round knockout win for Groves to retain his belts, was one of boxing's most controversial stoppages in recent years. But in the rematch on May 31 in front of some 80,000 fans at Wembley Stadium, Froch scored a clean eighth-round knockout of Groves.
It is great to be back here in Wembley and back to world-class boxing, Groves said at a news conference on Tuesday to announce the bout. Last time I was here, it didn't go the way I had hoped but I showed that I belong at the top level. In boxing sometimes all it takes is one punch, and it took just one punch to derail my world title ambitions in May. But we are back on the road and the journey will continue on Sept. 20 at the SSE Arena in Wembley.
This is a perfect fight for me. Rebrasse is a good opponent with a good record. Win this fight and I am back in the picture that is vitally important. I can't wait to be world champion and it will happen in the near future. It is good to be back in boxing and back in at the deep end.
Rebrasse (22-2-3, 5 KOs), 28, of France, won the vacant European title on March 22 by fourth-round knockout of Mouhamed Ali Ndiaye. He will be making his first defense when he meets Groves, although the winner will move a step closer to a mandatory shot at titleholder Sakio Bika.
Rebrasse has fought all of his bouts in France with the exception of two in Italy. He said he has no worries about fighting in Groves' hometown.
A ring is a ring whether you are in England or France, Rebrasse said. It may be a risk coming to England but it is a risk I am willing to take. I am looking forward to this fight. We will see what happens.
The card will be the first put on in England by German promoter Kalle Sauerland.
We are delighted to be staging our first U.K. show here at the SSE Arena in Wembley and even more delighted to be working with George, Sauerland said. He has proven himself as one of the most exciting super middleweights on the planet. He is someone we know can go right to the top. We look forward to fireworks on Sept. 20.
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