• Carl Froch v George Groves II

Groves spent £20k to seal Froch rematch

Referee Howard Foster controversially stopped Carl Froch and George Groves' first fight © PA Photos

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George Groves has revealed he spent £20,000 to secure a rematch with Carl Froch for the IBF and WBA super-middleweight world titles.

The pair meet for a second time on May 31, with Manchester United's Old Trafford and Arsenal's Emirates Stadium both being considered to host the bout.

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After referee Howard Foster controversially stopped the first fight, awarding the victory to Froch in the ninth round, Groves was forced to take his case to boxing authorities the world over.

"I flew around the world with my lawyer leaving no stone unturned to get the rematch ordered," said Groves.

"The money got swallowed up on air fares, hotel rooms, specialist reports into bias and how people are affected by pressure - and I had to pay for the IBF hearing into the result.

"That 20 grand was the best money I have spent and it's probably the biggest victory of my life so far... but come May the best victory of all will be stopping Froch."

Groves won't have been hit too hard financially, with his expected earnings from the rematch set to reach £1 million. Froch, on the other hand, could pocket £4 million with pay-per-view options boosting purses.

Referee Foster was also called on by Groves to explain his decision to end their first fight.

"I don't bear a grudge against anyone, least of all Howard Foster, who some rate as an exceptional referee," added Groves.

"Life is too short for that kind of thing. There's no need for him to be punished for the rest of his life but there are some questions I think need answering.

"I would ask him to give me an honest answer and tell me to my face whether he made a genuine mistake or if he still feels that he made the right decision. I thought he made a terrible decision and the indications are he agreed because he has resigned from the IBF.

"I'd love to hear it from him but I don't think I am ever going to.

"But I have a rematch now and I will put the record straight by walking out of the arena, whichever one it is, with both of Froch's titles."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd