George Groves may have fought just two weeks ago, but that is not stopping him from returning to the ring this Saturday night in Germany, on the Abraham-Stieglitz undercard and the British Super-Middleweight has been tipped to face the winner of that bout.
Groves’ manager Adam Booth and promoter Eddie Hearn are planning a tightly packed schedule for Groves in order to move him on quicker than what is the norm in boxing these days.
According to Hearn, Groves will end up fighting four times in six months, which is a great thing for Groves who has had periods of inactivity due to promotional issues and injuries.
Groves left promoter Frank Warren earlier this month in order to further his career with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom. The move meant that Groves missed out on a chance to fight for the European Super-Middleweight title, against Mouhamed Ali Ndiaye, a fight that was meant to happen last Saturday but Groves left Warren for Hearn. The whole card, headlined by Ricky Burns was subsequently abandoned after WBO lightweight champion Burns also left Warren to join Hearn.
Hearn immediately put Groves (17-0, 13 KOs) on a March 9 card and the 24-year-old knocked out Dairo German Balmaceda (11-7-2, 7 KOs) in the third round.
Groves came out of the fight with no issues, clearing the way for him to get right back to work on Saturday.
Groves will face Germany’s Baker Barakat in a bout scheduled for 8 rounds. It is an extra treat for fans who have tickets, as Groves is an exceptional talent.
The bout is not promoted by Hearn, however the man promoting the event, Kalle Sauerland, knows that it will be mutually beneficial for both parties to have Groves on the card, as he may end up facing the winner. Hearn and Sauerland are also promoting an event together in May when Carl Froch takes on Mikkel Kessler.
For Groves, however, it’s just a great way for a young fighter still in need of rounds to stay busy.
“He hasn’t fought anywhere near enough in the last few years and myself and Adam wanted him out again before May 25,” Hearn said. “It’s just a little eight-rounder and nice bit of PR as he is WBO No. 1 (contender).”
If everything goes to plan on Saturday, Groves will be out again in May on the Froch-Kessler undercard.
