George Groves' First Step is Set For Return Fight

By Shaun Brown

Just as Boxing Scene were informed last week it does seem like George Groves’ next opponent is a bit of a “confidence booster”.

The 27-year-old British super middleweight (21-3, 16 KOs) returns to action on January 30 at the Copper Box Arena in London against Andrea Di Luisa.

Groves first fight of 2016, and since he dropped a split decision against WBC World super middleweight champion Badou Jack in September, comes against the 33-year-old Italian who is probably best known for being stopped inside four rounds by Lucian Bute back in August. Di Luisa also retired at the end of the seventh round of his EBU-EU European super middleweight title fight against Christopher Rebrasse back in 2012. Last year Groves and Rebrasse went the distance when the Londoner took the Frenchman’s title from him after a wide points verdict.

2016 looks like a make or break year for Groves. Despite being only 27-years-old. there can be no more slip ups for the three time world title challenger. 

It is widely known that Matchroom’s promoter Eddie Hearn is keen to make a fight between his 168lb charge Callum Smith and Groves at some point next year.

“I think a final eliminator for the WBC title between Callum Smith and George Groves is a huge fight in the UK,” Hearn told Boxing Scene last month.

At time of writing Groves was still without a new trainer after splitting with Paddy Fitzpatrick not long after his loss to Jack.

The Londoner’s return to the ring headlines Sky Sports first live show of 2016 which also includes John Ryder’s crunch middleweight test against Sergey Khomitsky, as well as John Wayne Hibbert making the first defence of his Commonwealth light welterweight title against Tommy Martin.

Shaun Brown is Boxing Scene’s UK News Editor. Follow him on Twitter @sbrown2pt0 or contact him at sbrownboxing@gmail.com