• Carl Froch v George Groves

Wembley lined up for Froch-Groves II

Promoter Eddie Hearn believes Carl Froch will accept a rematch with George Groves © PA Photos

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Wembley Stadium is being lined up to host a lucrative rematch between Carl Froch and George Groves after the controversial end to their world title fight, promoter Eddie Hearn has told the Guardian.

Hearn has been the subject of several approaches after Froch stopped Groves in the ninth-round of their WBA and IBF world super-middleweight title fight.

The fight would most likely happen in May or early June. Wembley has not staged a boxing event since 1995 when Frank Bruno beat Oliver McCall for the heavyweight title, but its 90,000 capacity makes it the preferred option.

Boxing is no 'Sweet Science'

Froch v Groves was a real battle © PA Photos

• Carl Froch's controversial world title fight with George Groves showed why boxing is a brutal business. But it is a business where the good, the bad and the ugly have to find a way to exist.
• Read more of Steve Bunce's thoughts here

"We have had a number of approaches from football clubs and outdoor stadiums," Hearn told the Guardian. "Don't forget, when Matchroom did Nigel Benn v Chris Eubank II at Old Trafford it sold 45,000. I think Froch v Groves II would be the biggest grossing outdoor boxing event of all time in this country."

Wembley is of course the venue where Henry Cooper knocked Muhammad Ali down in front of 35,000 people in 1963, and has long been associated with the sport. However Groves, a lifelong Chelsea fan, hinted he would like to fight at the club's Stamford Bridge football stadium.

"There is no doubt the rematch will be in London. Wembley would be nice but Stamford Bridge would be my preferred option," said Groves.

Hearn is also lining up another world title fight to fill out what would be a high-profile bill.

"Any show of this magnitude would carry a very meaningful world title fight involving a British fighter," Hearn said. "It could be Darren Barker fighting a Daniel Geale or Martin Murray, or even Scott Quigg v Carl Frampton. British boxing is buzzing and this would be a great chance to capitalise on it."

Hearn will speak to both fighters next week after returning from watching Tony Bellew challenge for the world light-heavyweight title in Canada.

"We're talking about a great idea but there's a long way to go before this fight is made," Hearn stressed. "Both men want specific deals and what they feel they deserve.

"It's all very well Groves saying he wants a rematch at any time but at what price? He also says he feels he deserves the lion's share of the purse but that ain't going to happen. Everyone has to be realistic and if they are, it can be done.

"I've seen George saying that Carl only has one option: fight him or retire but I totally disagree with that.

"HBO would love Carl to fight Andre Ward, Gennady Golovkin or Julio César Chávez Jr. They are all big fights on the world stage. And while Froch v Groves II is massive in British terms it is not globally.

"I know in his heart that once the dust settles Carl will want to confirm to people what he believes would have happened if the Groves fight had gone on. And I think it's the fight he will take in the future.

"I am disappointed Carl got booed afterwards. People say it was because of what he said. It wasn't. He was booed the moment he lifted his arms up after winning the fight. It's not Carl's fault. He came back from the brink. Even if you do think it was too early, and I'm one of those people who do after reviewing it, he deserves enormous credit for what he did."

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