Groves pupil Lucas Roehrig set to target domestic honors

Lucas Roehrig, the cruiserweight prospect trained and managed by George Groves, improved to 8-0 (4 KOs) with victory over Czech Adam Kolarik.

Roehrig, who came from the Dale Youth Amateur Boxing Club, like Groves, won the eight-rounder at York Hall, Bethnal Green in London’s East End on Friday night when Kolarik came out for the sixth-round only to be withdrawn by the doctor having suffered a bad cut.

Roehrig, who said he’d had his first 10-week camp, said he didn’t have to get out of first or second gear and that he’s feeling “like a proper pro now.”

“He boxed really well,” said Groves. “I was really happy with the performance. It was another run out, another experience under the lights in front of a crowd and he was in there with a really tough, strong, wild guy and at the moment the process is working on the discipline you need to have, so there’s no room for switching off and being able to implement what you need to do to control the fight. That’s what he did. He came out, took the centre of the ring well, distance control was much better. He’s always had sharp hands but he was much more correct with his punches. He wasn’t open. He got caught a couple of times but as the saying goes, you can go swimming and not get wet. Still loads of room for improvement and there are things we’re working on in the gym that didn’t quite come out on fight night but we are moving in the right direction.”

Groves said the introduction of a new conditioning coach and nutritionist were already paying dividends and he hopes Roehrig will be out again in May.

“Now, he’s not far off being opened up to the wider domestic rankings,” Groves added. “We are talking to numerous promoters at present. He’s not signed to anyone. We want to keep him busy, keep him active, keep him stimulated and now we will be making the steps we need to win a domestic title by the end of the year. That’s fully achievable and I’m excited for the process.”

Lolarik is now 10-10 (7 KOs).