• Super-middleweight

Triumphant Groves eyes world title to lure Froch

George Groves outclassed Dario German Balmaceda © PA Photos

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George Groves is targeting a world title bout as his next fight in order to give him the necessary leverage to land a showdown with Carl Froch.

Groves made light work of Dario German Balmaceda in Saturday's encounter at Wembley Arena, stopping his opponent inside three rounds with a four-punch combination.

His next step is to fight on the Froch-Kessler undercard, which takes place on May 25. Groves plans to make a giant impression on that night in order to put himself in the frame for a major bout against Froch at the end of the year.

"Carl's a great fighter, we sparred together over the years but we're rivals now," Groves told Sky Sports News. "There's a possibility a fight could happen sooner rather than later.

"If I can get a few fights [before then] that would be great. It would be awesome if I could win my own title and we could have a unification clash.

"I don't think I'll be sparring with Carl now as we're rivals. I want Carl to beat Kessler. As a Brit I want him to win, and as a friend."

IBF super-middleweight champion Froch first meets Kessler and then has potential rematches with Lucian Bute and Andre Ward on the agenda.

However, he will know how big an all-British battle with Groves could be, so it is up to both Brits to ensure they keep winning so their paths align. Groves is yet to secure his May 25 opponent, but he wants as big a name as possible.

"We can't name anything yet," he said. "Within the next few weeks we'll see what's available. It has to be a big fight, I need a big fight.

"If we can get a title or an eliminator for a title that's what we'll hope for. At worst it will be a significant fight against a ranked opponent that will bring me on."

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