George Groves is aiming to bounce back from his defeat to Carl Froch by becoming a world champion before the end of the year.
Groves tackles European super middleweight champion Christopher Rebrasse on September 20 in a final eliminator for the WBC title.
The Hammersmith boxer makes a swift return to the ring after suffering back-to-back stoppages against IBF and WBA champion Froch at Wembley Stadium in May.
To prepare for his showdown with the Frenchman Groves has travelled to America where he is currently training alongside undefeated IBO and WBA middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin.
“I’m fighting jet-lag and it’s 10:30 at night where I am, up in Big Bear California,” Groves told Sky Sports News.
“We training out here, we’ve started camp. I’m training with Gennady Golovkin and his trainer Eddie Sanchez, and having a great time.”
Fantastic
Big Bear is a small city in San Bernadino Mountains which has previously been used for a training camp by boxers such as Mike Tyson and Oscar De La Hoya.
“It’s a fantastic place,” added Groves. “There are plenty of places to get really good food, some fantastic runs to do, the scenery and the clean air. You are at altitude, so it’s harder to breath up here and you’re fitness improves much more drastically than down at normal level.
“They’ve got great facilities and this moment in time there’s great sparring for me as well, you can definitely see the appeal for lots of American fighters.”
“We’re going to be in the States for around a month, we’re going to move around a bit, we are going to spend some time in LA and Vegas.
Groves is back in training less than six weeks after he was brutally knocked out in eight rounds by Froch.
“I 100% wanted to get back in the gym, especially after a loss,” added Groves. “I’m craving success and I want to be world champion.
“I definitely don’t want to take my time about this; I want to be back in action as soon as possible.”
“In many ways this is the most important fight of my career; it’s a fight that I can’t afford to lose. That’s one of the reasons why I want to prepare to my best abilities and make sure I don’t lose it.
“Rebrasse is ranked number three with the WBC and he is also ranked number three with one of the other governing bodies, the European champion which is obviously a prestigious belt.
“But for me the most important thing is that this fight has been nominated to be a final eliminator for the WBC, so after a painful loss I’m straight back in at world level with an opportunity to be fighting for a world title in the near future, possibly if I get through this fight it could be before Christmas.”
Winnable
Victory over Rebrasse will secure Groves a shot at the WBC title, currently held by Sakio Bika, who defends against Anthony Dirrell on August 16.
“It’s a tough one, they’ve already fought and it was a draw. Bika has been around for a long time now, we’ve seen him in the UK fighting Joe Calzaghe many years ago, he gives everyone a tough night’s work, he’s unorthodox, scrappy and has a good chin, so he’s hard to break down.
“On the other side you’ve got Dirrell, who is a very good fighter, a very talented fighter, a very talented family in fact. I sparred with him and his brother out in Miami a couple of years ago and he hits hard and he’s very strong.
“It’s a tough one to call, you go with Bika because of his experience but Dirrell might be that more hungry. I think they both tough fights but both winnable for me, I look forward to getting past Rebrasse and taking on whoever comes through their bout.
“I’m confident of beating both men and for me it’s all about becoming world champion and fortunately I’m in a position where that dream can come true.”
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