Carl Froch and George Groves agree to rematch

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26166323

British super-middleweight rivals Carl Froch and George Groves have agreed to a rematch, to take place at a football stadium on Saturday, 31 May.
Nottingham's Froch, 36, retained his WBA and IBF titles with a ninth-round stoppage of Groves last November.

But Londoner Groves, 25, complained the fight was ended too soon.
The bout is the biggest rematch in British boxing since Chris Eubank fought Nigel Benn for a second time at Old Trafford in 1993.

Froch-Groves II is expected to break the box-office record for a British fight, with Old Trafford in Manchester and Arsenal's Emirates Stadium being suggested as possible venues.

The record attendance for a post-War boxing show was for Ricky Hatton's fight against Luan Lazcano, which drew 55,000 fans at the City of Manchester Stadium in 2008.

There were bitter recriminations in the wake of the first fight between Froch and Groves at the Manchester Arena, which Groves led on points after flooring the champion in round one before referee Howard Foster called a halt to proceedings.

But with Froch angling for a rematch against American Andre Ward or a fight with Mexican Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in Las Vegas, it looked like Groves might have to wait his turn.

Last month, Groves rejected a "seven-figure" offer from Froch's promoter Eddie Hearn, before the IBF ordered Froch to fight Groves again within 90 days or risk losing his belt.

Groves also petitioned the British Boxing Board of Control to restore his unbeaten status by declaring his defeat by Froch a no-contest.

Now it seems those appeals, not to mention the media and public clamour and huge money on offer, have persuaded Froch to have a change of heart.
Under the terms of the IBF's rematch directive, challenger Groves was only entitled to 15% of the purse.

However, Hearn said the directive would only have been relevant if the fight had gone to purse bids and suggested Froch had agreed to shift on the percentage.

Froch's victory in the first fight took his career record to 32 wins from 34 fights, while defeat for Groves was his first in 20 professional outings.

 

Great news on the rematch and it looks like the stance on Groves' purse could be softened. Also due to the magnitude of the fight, it could be held at Old Trafford or the Emirates. I'd love it to be in the Emirates, the stadium is top notch and not too far from me. Also i'm a gunners fan too!

 

To be honest Big, the last stoppage was so bad that whoever referees next time will probably be too scared to stop it. Saying that, the stoppage has brought a win win situation to both. It's enhanced Groves's reputation and resulted in an even bigger money fight. No bigger money making fight for either boxer. I'm sure this was one of the deciding factors for Froch, who's looking to hang his gloves up soon.

 

I hope it doesn't but Froch is one tough guy and it would take a sledge hammer to keep him down. I think we will see a different fight from both guys. A lot more tentative and respect shown for each other, especially from Froch.

 

It is a big lay off Ted and I suspect it'll benefit Froch more than Groves.

 

Not sure if Groves has time for a tune up fight. Probably not.