By Edward Chaykovsky
Promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sports believes super middleweight contender George Groves (21-3, 16KOs) is potentially one fight away from gaining another world title shot.
Groves has been unsuccessful in three attempts at the world title. He was stopped by IBF/WBA champion Carl Froch in nine rounds in 2013. A rematch saw Froch stop him again, this time in the eight round before crowd of 80,000 fans at the Wembley Arena in London.
Last month, Groves traveled to Las Vegas to challenge WBC champion Badou Jack on the Floyd Mayweather-Andre Berto Showtime Pay-Per-View undercard. Groves was knocked down in the first round and lost a close twelve round split decision.
After the defeat, a lot of Groves' critics went after him, but Hearn - who no longer promotes the fighter - sent him some words of encouragement.
"George upsets a lot of people, so when you fail they are going to kick dirt in your face. But I texted him after the fight and I said 'I know you must be gutted, but keep your head up. It was a close fight. You fought in America, you fought in Las Vegas, you were on a Mayweather undercard, you boxed a close fight, a good fight that people enjoyed - you can come [back] again,'" Hearn told BoxingScene.com's Declan Taylor.
"Because he's got the name, he's only one fight away from challenging for the world title again. But losing three times for a world title is hard to take. I feel that he should be proud and Brits should support him. I know he's not everyone's cup of tea, but you have admire how he goes out with that attitude of me against the world. And he's gone to America and tried to win a world title."
