Middleweight star, Olympic bronze hero and unbeaten Super Flyweight talent head to London

Martin Murray, Anthony Ogogo and Kal Yafai have all been added to the star-studded line-up of Matchroom Sport’s Christmas bumper fight night at the ExCeL in London on December 14, live on Sky Sports.

World Middleweight contender Murray is in ten-round action against Sergey Khomitsky, Ogogo returns to the scene of his Olympic success for his fourth pro fight while Yafai moves into double figures in the paid ranks as he eyes title fights in 2014.

The stacked card features 15 fights with former World Lightweight title challenger Kevin Mitchell facing Italian Brunet Zamora for the vacant IBF Inter-Continental title, recent World Welterweight challenger Lee Purdy aims to take the European title from Italian Leonard Bundu, the fifth defence for the Lazio man.

Like Ogogo, Olympic Gold medal star Anthony Joshua MBE revisits the setting of his triumph at the London 2012 Games as he aims for a fourth KO win in the pro ranks against Welshman Dorian Darch, while recent IBF Bantamweight king Jamie McDonnell is out for the second time in four weeks.

There are two tasty Southern Area title clashes as Tony Owen defends his Light Welterweight strap against fellow Carshalton man Ricky Boylan, and Ryan ‘Crash Bang’ Taylor meets Floyd Moore for the vacant Lightweight belt. Danny Connor lost to Owen in their October meeting for the title, and he is in an eliminator for the English Light Welterweight belt against Tyler Goodjohn.

Erick Ochieng is back in action after his battle with Liam Smith for the British Light Middleweight title, moving down to Welterweight to face Welshman Dale Evans, there’s a welcome return to the ring for unbeaten Lightweight prospect Martin J Ward, Essex Light Welterweight John Wayne Hibbert looks to build on his British Masters triumph and Cruiserweight duo Wadi Camacho and Ben Ileyemi complete the line-up, with a hand injury forcing Islington Middleweight John Ryder to miss out.

“I’m delighted to add Martin, Anthony and Kal to our bumper Christmas bill at the ExCeL London,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “We’ve put together a bill stacked with some of the best talent in Britain with big title fights for Mitchell and Purdy, two Olympic heroes in action in Joshua and Ogogo, a 2014 World title candidate in McDonnell and many, many more, I’m expecting a fantastic night to bring 2013 to a close in style.”

Tickets are on sale now priced £40, £60 and £100 through www.seetickets.com and on 0871 230 7148.

VIP packages priced £150 are available exclusively through Matchroom Boxing – www.matchroomboxing.com – or call 01277 359900.

Champions added to elite stable and ready to hunt for major honours in 2014

Matchroom Sport are delighted to announce that Tommy Coyle and Darren Hamilton have both signed promotional deals with Eddie Hearn.

Promising Lightweight talent Coyle became a notable player in the thriving domestic scene with his impressive display in his Commonwealth title clash against Derry Mathews in Hull in July and followed that in November with a seventh round stoppage win over John Simpson to claim the IBF International Lightweight title, a title Coyle will defend on February 22 in his hometown at the Hull Arena live on Sky Sports.

Hamilton has enjoyed a brilliant 18 months in the ring after he shocked British Light Welterweight king Ashley Theophane in May 2012 in Liverpool to take the title from the highly-rated Londoner. The 35 year old made his first successful defence in February with a wide points victory over Steve Williams at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, and topped that with an excellent performance to defend with a unanimous decision over Adil Anwar in the same venue in July. His first fight under Hearn will be announced soon.

Olympic Gold medal hero Luke Campbell will box for the fifth time in the paid ranks on the card after he made it four wins from four on the undercard of Carl Froch’s epic World title battle with George Groves on Saturday, and Hearn expects big things in 2014 for his two new recruits.

“I’m delighted to welcome Tommy and Darren to the Matchroom stable,” said Hearn. “Tommy is one of the most exciting lightweights in Britain and hugely popular in Hull, which is a key city for our development in boxing. There are some huge domestic clashes out there and 2014 is set to be a big year for Tommy.

“Darren is one of the most underrated fighters in the country. He will fight anyone, anywhere, and I am looking for Darren to win the belt outright and move on to challenge for the European title.”

More fights will be added to the Hull Arena bill soon while tickets will go on sale next week.

Champ and challenger inside the weight for title clash

Carl Froch and George Groves had to be separated at today’s weigh-in for their World title clash at the Phones4u Arena in Manchester tomorrow night, live on Sky Sports Box Office, in association with bet365.

Froch tipped the scales the heavier man at 11st 13lbs 12oz with Groves over a pound lighter at 11st 12lbs 6oz, and as they squared up they had to be pulled apart after the champ twice whispered into the challenger’s ear.

Not even those on the stage would be able to hear what ‘The Cobra’ said to ‘Saint’ George over the raucous atmosphere created by the packed crowd at Manchester Central, but Froch was quick to tell Sky Sports News that he was leaving Groves in no doubt as to the magnitude of the occasion.

“I was just letting him know he is in deep water,” said Froch. “The time is now. David Haye will say the same, it's just sort of bringing reality.

“In all honesty, I didn't say a great deal that was significant because he was just silent and he looked petrified. Yesterday he looked worried; today he looks really, really worried.

“He looks like a really worried man that realises the magnitude of the event and it will be dawning on him. I don't think he's sleeping and he shouldn't be because he's in serious trouble.”

Groves was unmoved by Froch’s words though, and the unbeaten Londoner brushed it off as part of the fun and reminded Sky Sports News that he’s already told Froch how the start of the fight will pan out.

“He didn't say anything that he hasn't said before,” said Groves. “I just looked at him. I've said enough that needs to be said now. He can choose to listen or not.

“I gave him the game-plan, how much of a gentleman do I need to be? He's got two days to adapt; now he's got one day left. We'll see what he comes up with.

“I'm more than confident that I've got the tools to beat Carl Froch. I can't wait to get in there and show him.”

WBA Super Bantamweight champion Scott Quigg defends his title against Argentina’s Diego Silva in the chief support bout, and the Bury man is promising a big performance after his majority draw with Yoandris Salinas in London last month.

“Diego is not as awkward and slippery Salinas, he's game and he comes to fight, he's dangerous with he's hooks and he's mixed at a good level,” said Quigg, who scaled 8st 9lbs 10oz, four ounces more than Silva. “He brings different dangers to the ring but I'm fully focused as these are the fights that you have to win and look impressive in the process.

“He's come back from the Montiel defeat with some good wins and there's certainly no disgrace in losing to a three-weight World champion like him.”

PROPOSED RUNNING ORDER WITH WEIGHTS (where available)

5:25pm                 8 x 3 mins Lightweight Contest

SCOTTY CARDLE 9st 8lbs 12oz v KRYZSZTOF SZOT 9st 12lbs 13oz       
(Lytham St Annes)                         (Poland)

LIVE 6:05pm       12 x 3 mins Commonwealth Super Middleweight Championship

ROCKY FIELDING 11st 13lbs 13oz v LUKE BLACKLEDGE 11st 13lbs 3oz

(Liverpool)                                       (Accrington)

Followed by

                                6 x 3 mins Super Flyweight Contest

KAL YAFAI 8st 3lbs 15oz v ABIGAIL MEDINA 8st 7lbs 12oz

(Birmingham)                                 (Spain)

Followed by

                               8 x 3 mins Bantamweight Contest 

JAMIE McDONNELL 8st 7lbs v BERNARD INOM 8st 1lb 13oz

(Doncaster)                                     (France)

Followed by

                               10 x 3 mins Vacant WBC Super Featherweight Championship 

STEPHEN SMITH 9st 3lbs 7oz v SERGIO MANUEL MEDINA 9st 2lbs 9oz

(Liverpool)                                          (Argentina)

Followed by

                                6 x 3 mins Lightweight contest

LUKE CAMPBELL v CHUCK JONES

(Hull)                       (Ferndale)

Followed by

                                12 x 3 mins WBO Inter-Continental Lightweight Championship

ANTHONY CROLLA 9st 8lbs 6oz v STEPHEN FOSTER JNR 9st 7lbs 15oz

(Manchester)                                    (Manchester)

Followed by

                                6 or 8 mins Middleweight Contest

ANDY LEE 11st 9lbs 7oz v FERENC HAFNER 11st 7lbs 11oz

(Ireland & Detroit)              (Hungary)

Followed by

                                12 x 3 mins WBA World Super Bantamweight Championship

SCOTT QUIGG 8st 9lbs 10oz v DIEGO SILVA 8st 9lbs 6oz

(Bury)                                                   (Argentina)

By 23:00               12 x 3 mins IBF and WBA World Super Middleweight Championship

CARL FROCH 11st 13lbs 12oz v GEORGE GROVES 11st 12lbs 6oz 

(Nottingham)                                    (Hammersmith)

Champ and challenger don’t hold back ahead of Saturday night’s grudge match

Carl Froch and George Groves lit the blue touch paper ahead of their World title battle on Saturday night at the Phones 4u Arena in Manchester live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Froch defends his WBA and IBF belts against Groves, and their simmering war of words boiled over in Manchester as they came face-to-face for the first time since their infamous appearance on Sky Sports’ boxing magazine show Ringside, and neither fighter held back in a tense conference followed by a lengthy head-to-head for the cameras.

The pair will meet for the last time before fight night at tomorrow’s weigh-in at Manchester Central (formerly the GMEX) which promises to be filled with yet more tension. The public are invited in on a first come, first served basis from 12.30pm, with the undercard set to weigh-in from 1.30pm before Froch and Groves hit the scales for the fight around 2pm as the moment they settle the score in the ring draws ever closer.

“Up until now, I thought he actually believed in his own stupidity, his own childish remarks and he sort of had a game plan,” said Froch. “He's revealed himself today as being a very worried man and I think the big fight is dawning on him now, it's getting closer and closer.

"He cannot mix it with me at this level, it's impossible. He might have two or three rounds keeping out of the way, jabbing and moving to make it look like a fight,

"But he knows once we start exchanging leather up close and this fight becomes a fight, he's out of his depth and is in serious trouble. I could see that today in his eyes, I could see it in his body language.

"So I'm coming away from this press conference feeling very, very, even more confident than what I was to start with and looking forward even more to giving George Groves a pasting on Saturday night because that's what I do; give people like him a pasting for their cheek."

"I thought it was very strange really, because it was quite precise step-by-step diagnostic of what he was going to do. Come out behind the jab and he's going to land a double right hand, then he's going to go into round two and get behind his jab and then he's going to take me on in the centre of the ring.

"It was just ridiculous really to be honest. You can't put that sort of detailed explanation of a fight tactics from round one to round three because you don't know what your opponent is going to do.

"I'm hoping that one of his tactics that he has talked about, to take me on and stand in the middle of the ring and have a fight with me, he stands by and does have a fight with me because that's exactly what I want.

"Looking away doesn't mean anything, and I'm not being funny but he's got halitosis and it's a condition that's not nice to be stood in front of. That's the reason why I was looking away because I could only bear it for so long.

"I can't wait to flatten George Groves. And when I've done it, I will still tell him what I think of him. I'm not going to shake his hand, give him a kiss and a hug, say don't worry you'll come back and do something in the future when I retire because I don't like the guy. I'm going to show you on Saturday night how much I don't like the guy."

Groves said that he was going to reveal his plan to beat Froch and he did exactly that, and the challenger from London said he will stick to that plan on Saturday night.

“It's because throughout the whole build-up to this fight I have told Carl Froch what I believe is the truth and he hasn't chosen to believe it,” said Groves. “I figured I'm going to spell it out for you at the press conference.

"I'm going to get in there, I'm going to do this in the first round, do that in the second round and I'm going to knock you back onto your back foot, drive you back in the third round.

"The warrior that is Carl Froch is going to get pushed back and he's got 48 hours to adjust to it and then when we get in the ring he's got three rounds to understand it. After three rounds then either I'm right or he's right and if I'm right he's out of his depth and that's when the fun begins.”

Froch and Groves lead a great line-up of action in Manchester on Saturday night.

Scott Quigg defends his WBA Super Bantamweight title against Diego Silva and his gym-mate and resurgent Lightweight star Anthony Crolla defends his WBO Inter-Continental Lightweight title against Stephen Foster Jr. on a busy night for trainer Joe Gallagher, who also has Super Featherweight star Stephen Smith tackling Sergio Manuel Medina for the WBC Silver International title and unbeaten Lightweight talent Scotty Cardle on the bill.

Rocky Fielding defends his Commonwealth Super Middleweight title against Luke Blackledge while Middleweight star Andy Lee grabs a late spot on the bill.

Former IBF World Bantamweight champion Jamie McDonnell fights in an eight round bout, Olympic Gold medal hero Luke Campbell MBE tackles his fourth pro contest, while unbeaten Super Flyweight Kal Yafai continues his comeback from injury.

‘Saint’ George recalls Froch sparring sessions and reveals his blueprint to beat The Cobra

George Groves says that new trainer Paddy Fitzpatrick will bring the best out of him against Carl Froch a

The challenger for Froch’s WBA and IBF World Super Middleweight titles split with long-time trainer Adam Booth ahead of Saturday’s clash at the sold-out Phones 4u Arena in Manchester, live on Sky Sports Box Office, and the Londoner explains the reasons behind the decision in the show.

“Adam was my trainer and manager from the start of my career to where I am now and I’ve had a good career,” said Groves. “I’ve had some up and downs and I’ve won titles but who knows what else I could have done elsewhere.

“I believe that all talented fighters need a trainer, need a good manager to keep them on the straight and narrow, that’s why I don’t have, that’s why I am not preparing for this fight on my own. I have still gone out and got the best team to work with so they can get the best out of you.

“On the flip side it doesn’t matter how much of a good trainer or manager you have got, you have to be a talented fighter, or you have to have talented fighters to be a successful trainer and I think that’s an important fact to remember.

“When it comes down to it and when that first bell goes you climb through the ropes and you are all on your own and that’s why a lot of people can’t be a boxer and that’s why a lot can’t make it at the highest end because it is a lonely place. It’s a frightening place and if you’re not prepared mentally and physically and again that comes down to an individual.

“You have to do that yourself the trainer can’t get up and do sprints for you, he can’t get in the gym and spar for you, it’s up to you to get in there and do it. So you know when you get through the ropes it’s just you, you’re ready. It is nice having someone in your corner who you trust and who you respect but sometimes you don’t have that and when you don’t it’s time to move on.

“Anyone who knows Paddy Fitzpatrick would describe him as a cool guy. He’s chilled, relaxed, I don’t think I have ever seen him animated or angry, then again I wouldn’t want to cross him at the same time because he does have a fuse if it ever gets blown.

“Paddy has calmness and an intellect that appeals to me because when he speaks he speaks very clearly. There is no waffle, there is no circus, there is no ego and I think that’s hard to come by in boxing. It comes down to his boxing know how, he is fierce, he explains stuff very clinically and it always makes sense. I think we’re pretty much on the same wavelength when it comes to how I would approach most fights but I have seen him in the gym with other fighters and seen how he changes and adapts his training style to suit them.

“Again – he puts the fighter first, he understands how certain things have to be in the fighters favour and because of that I can get the best out of him and I feel he can definitely get the best out of me.”

On the fight Groves believes he will be the first man to stop Froch, and said that he has plenty of tricks up his sleeve to make it happen.

“I know I will win this fight regardless,” said Groves. “There are many fights that I know I am going to win. Like James DeGale. I know what Carl’s strengths are and I know what his weaknesses are. There are many different ways that I would beat Carl and not just in general but on the night I will take it away from him in many, many different ways.

“Just like every fight I will go out and control the pace of the fight, I will control the distance during the fight and I will be hitting him frequently, accurately, powerfully and I am not sure what will break first his heart or his head but one will before the end of the fight.”

On their infamous sparring sessions, Groves candidly sets the record straight, and pokes fun at Froch’s training logs.

“I don’t keep a diary – I thought they were fourteen year old girls to write about boyfriends and homework?” said Groves. “We went out to Sheffield one week and he caught me with a right hand over the top, I was being lazy on the ropes, my knee touched down, I stood straight back up, carried on the round, carried on the rest of the spar. Two days later I came to his gym in Nottingham, sparred him took him apart.

“I got out of the ring and sat there staring at his trainer bemused. I think he was looking for a bit of confidence sparring and he didn’t get it that day, and then he went on and lost to Mikkel Kessler.

“I never read too much into sparring, because I don’t spar that great. If I’d dropped Carl Froch I never would have mentioned it, I wouldn’t have got up and said ‘yeah, let me send a text to my mum, let me write it in my diary at home’. Because what does it matter in sparring? It means nothing. I’m only going half-speed most of the time, if he does rely on that sparring he is in trouble, I’m a little better now and I’ll be a little bit better on Saturday night as well.”

The Saint says he has the style to take Froch’s titles away

George Groves believes he has the measure of Carl Froch ahead of their clash for Froch’s WBA and IBF World Super Middleweight titles at the sold-out Phones 4u Arena in Manchester on Saturday (November 23), live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Unbeaten Groves fights in his first World title contest in the North West, as Froch dons the gloves for his 11th fight in a row with a coveted strap on the table. ‘The Saint’ has been bullish in the build-up and has been awarded victory by many in the verbal battle between him and the champ – and the popular Londoner says the time is right for him to defeat Froch.

“This is the fight I have always wanted,” said Groves, speaking at his public work-out at the Westfield Shopping Centre in Shepherd’s Bush. “I respect Carl Froch for achieving what he has in the sport, and I know he's a tough fighter, but I also believe he is beatable and that I have the style to cause him nightmares.

“I think he knows it, too, and because of this he resents having to defend his belts against me. This is a risky, horrible style match-up for him, and he realises there's every chance he gets taken to school and stopped for the first time in his career.

“I'm more than ready for this fight. I've beaten some good opponents in my career so far and nobody has found a blueprint to beat me. Unlike Froch, I don't have a lot of miles on the clock and I don't have a lot of ways to be beaten. And, anyway, why shouldn't I be ready for a fight against the second best Super Middleweight in the world?

“We're not talking about me fighting Andre Ward, the number one. I know I'm still a little way off beating Ward, but Froch is a different story altogether. He isn't the best in the World and never has been. Do I think I can beat him with nineteen fights under my belt? Absolutely.”

Groves’ challenge against Froch leads a great line-up of action in Manchester on Saturday night.

Scott Quigg defends his WBA Super Bantamweight title against Diego Silva and his gym-mate and resurgent Lightweight star Anthony Crolla defends his WBO Inter-Continental Lightweight title against Stephen Foster Jr. on a busy night for trainer Joe Gallagher, who also has Super Featherweight star Stephen Smith tackling Sergio Manuel Medina for the WBC Silver International title and unbeaten Lightweight talent Scotty Cardle on the bill.

There’s also a late spot on the bill for Murray, who is back in action after his controversial loss to Sergio Martinez in his second World title challenge in April. The 31 year old will now face Sergey Khomitsky in Manchester after his December fight in Australia fell through.

Former IBF World Bantamweight champion Jamie McDonnell fights in an eight round bout, Rocky Fielding defends his Commonwealth Super Middleweight title and Olympic Gold medal hero Luke Campbell MBE tackles his fourth pro contest, while unbeaten Super Flyweight Kal Yafai continues his comeback from injury, but Anthony Joshua MBE has been forced off the bill by a bicep strain.

Liverpool man faces Argentine World title challenger in Manchester – Joshua out

Stephen Smith will face Sergio Manuel Medina for the WBC International Silver Super Featherweight title at the sold-out Phones 4u Arena in Manchester on Saturday (November 23), live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Smith’s clash with the Argentine sets up a route for a World title challenge in 2014, with the winner of the fight to be ordered to face WBC Silver champ Fernando Saucedo for the title within 90 days of victory.

If the Liverpool star can pull off the win and defeat Saucedo, he will be in prime position for a World title bid, and promoter Eddie Hearn believes Smith can become the first of the fabled Smith brothers to land a World title.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for Stephen and if he can overcome an experienced Medina he will land an automatic shot at Saucedo for the Silver title which will ultimately lead to a World title shot in 2014,” said Hearn.

Medina, 31, challenged Juan Manuel Lopez for the WBO Super Bantamweight title in 2008 and faced Saucedo in August for the Silver title. Smith is on a hot streak of five straight wins, four inside the distance, the latest being his sensational British title win over Gary Buckland, where he KO’d the tough Welshman with a brutal upper cut in Cardiff in August.

Smith’s clash with Medina is part of a great line-up of action in Manchester, led by Carl Froch’s WBA and IBF World Super Middleweight title defence against George Groves.

Scott Quigg defends his WBA Super Bantamweight title against Diego Silva and his gym-mate and resurgent Lightweight star Anthony Crolla defends his WBO Inter-Continental Lightweight title against Stephen Foster Jr. on a busy night for trainer Joe Gallagher, who also has Super Featherweight champion Stephen Smith on the bill and unbeaten Lightweight talent Scotty Cardle.

There’s also a late spot on the bill for Murray, who is back in action after his controversial loss to Sergio Martinez in his second World title challenge in April. The 31 year old will now face Sergey Khomitsky in Manchester after his December fight in Australia fell through.

Former IBF World Bantamweight champion Jamie McDonnell fights in an eight round bout, Rocky Fielding defends his Commonwealth Super Middleweight title and Olympic Gold medal hero Luke Campbell MBE tackles his fourth pro contest, while unbeaten Super Flyweight Kal Yafai continues his comeback from injury, but Anthony Joshua MBE has been forced off the bill by a bicep strain.

The Cobra opens up on family, Groves and McCracken

Carl Froch says building a future for his kids is his main motivation for his fight with George Groves, as he lifts the lid on his big fight build-up tonight on Carl Froch – Behind The Ropes, Sky Sports 1HD at 7pm.

Froch gave the Sky Sports cameras exclusive access to his training camp and family life as he was deep in his training camp for his WBA and IBF World Super Middleweight title defence against Groves at the sold-out Phones 4u Arena in Manchester, live on Sky Sports Box Office – and he reveals the driving force behind his success.

“There are many different things that motivate me, I’ve got two kids, I love them so much, I can’t wait until the day I retire so I can spend more time with them because at the minute, I’m in a short term career,” said Froch. “What’s another year or two to secure not only my own but my kids future and my legacy doing a sport I love?”

The Cobra talks about George Groves attitude in the build-up to the fight has also given him the incentive he needs to prevail on Saturday night.

“The guy is fighting for his first World title and is just doing typically what British fighters have done before I fought them,” said Froch. “He is trying to give himself some sort of confidence and self-belief by downplaying what I have done but it is a bit of a backward way of doing it because when you’re up against somebody like me who has earned respect off the boxing fraternity and been involved in back to back world title fights and achieved what I have achieved, you’d think he would use his brain and be a little bit more respectful.

“I’m very experienced at top level the fact that I don’t really like Groves isn’t going to affect my performance. All he’s done by being horrible in the build-up to this fight he’s just motivated me. He’s given me the motivation I need. If he would have been quite humble and appreciative of his shot because he’s not number one with the IBF he’s number five so he’s been granted a position, you know gifted a position of authority in the sense he’s allowed to challenge for the IBF world title, one of the belts that I hold, so he could have been a little bit more you know appreciative about it.

“But the way I’ve prepared, the way I’ve been motivated – thank you very much George for the motivation you’ve given me over the last three months – I’m going to go I there and absolutely outclass Groves as far as I’m concerned. This is obviously me talking before the fight, this is how I feel. I’m going to go in there and absolutely outclass him and do a job on him it’s as simple as that.”

The show is very family orientated where we spend time with the people closest to Carl, his mum Carol and partner Rachael and we check out Carl’s skills on the snooker table with his best friends and his two brothers Lee and Wayne.

Sky Sports also had privileged access to Carl’s sparring with IBF Middleweight champion Darren Barker and Carl dedicates his overwhelming success to trainer Robert McCracken.

“A fighter trainer relationship is the most important thing in professional boxing,” said Froch. “Rob brings the best out of me in training, in sparring and on fight night. I couldn’t do what I do without him.

“I’ve said time and time again without Rob McCracken there’s no way I would have performed at the level I’ve performed at and had the success I’ve had with Rob McCracken. No way at all. It would have been impossible.”

Carl Froch – Behind the Ropes will air on Sky Sports 1 at 7pm tonight.

The Cobra still revelling in the fans reaction to Kessler triumph

Carl Froch believes his experience of his epic win over Mikkel Kessler in May will give him the edge when he defends his WBA and IBF World Super Middleweight titles against George Groves at the sold-out Phones 4u Arena in Manchester, live on Sky Sports Box Office on November 23.

Froch defeated Kessler in their titanic rematch at The O2 in front of a capacity crowd in London, and the four-time World champion says he thrives on the sensation of lifting belts in front of a packed out Arena. 

“There’s no greater feeling than standing victorious in the Arena, especially in front of a sell-out crowd with 20,000 people cheering your name,” said Froch.

“You’re stood in the middle of that ring, you’re cut and bruised, got a nose bleed but you’re a champion. You’re looking around at a packed house.

“You’ve had 12 weeks in a training camp and you’ve had an unbelievable fight – I’m talking about the Kessler rematch – that sort of feeling, those sorts of nights. Money can’t buy that, there’s nothing else you can do, you can’t go to a fair ground and ride a roller coaster to get that feeling.

“I’m still boxing because of my pure love for the sport. The sport has given me so much, a privileged lifestyle for a start. The feeling of the fight night that I talked about earlier, you can’t get that anywhere, people smoke, gamble and eat lots of chocolate because they are all vices in order to feed a habit or a want. I think I’m addicted to fighting and I’m addicted to fight night.”

Froch and Groves battle it out in Manchester on a fantastic bill stacked full off the cream of British boxing.

Scott Quigg defends his WBA Super Bantamweight title against Diego Silva and his gym-mate and resurgent Lightweight star Anthony Crolla defends his WBO Inter-Continental Lightweight title against Stephen Foster Jr. on a busy night for trainer Joe Gallagher, who also has Super Featherweight champion Stephen Smith on the bill and unbeaten Lightweight talent Scotty Cardle.

There’s also a late spot on the bill for Murray, who is back in action after his controversial loss to Sergio Martinez in his second World title challenge in April. The 31 year old will now face Sergey Khomitsky in Manchester after his December fight in Australia fell through.

Former IBF World Bantamweight champion Jamie McDonnell fights in an eight round bout, Rocky Fielding defends his Commonwealth Super Middleweight title and Olympic Gold medal heroes Anthony Joshua MBE and Luke Campbell MBE are both in action in their fourth pro contests, while unbeaten Super Flyweight Kal Yafai continues his comeback from injury.

Manchester derby for Crolla’s WBO Inter-Continental Lightweight belt

Anthony Crolla will defend his WBO Inter-Continental Lightweight title against fellow Manchester fighter Stephen Foster Jr. on the undercard of Carl Froch’s WBA and IBF World Super Middleweight title defence at the sold-out Phones 4u Arena Manchester on Saturday November 23, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Crolla claimed the title with a career-best performance against Gavin Rees in Bolton in June, and makes his first defence against former WBU and European Super Featherweight champion Foster, who’s last title fight came in the same Arena when he challenged Gary Buckland for the British Super Featherweight title on the undercard of Ricky Hatton’s comeback a year ago.

Foster was set to face former interim WBO Lightweight champion Michael Katsidis in Australia on the same bill as St. Helens’ Middleweight star Martin Murray but now grabs the chance to move up to Lightweight on his home patch. ‘Million Dollar’ Crolla was due to fight Martin Gethin for the British title and the 27 year old is determined to capitalise on his recent resurgence with a strong performance against Foster leading to big fights in 2014.

“If I keep winning then it will happen because Eddie can deliver big fights,” said Crolla. “At the minute I'm not on (WBO champion) Ricky Burns' radar, he's looking at fighting Ray Beltran again or maybe Terence Crawford, and I've got unfinished business with Gethin that can hopefully be resolved around the same time. I've got to work my way up to that, but if I do I don't see why I cannot challenge Ricky or we could go down another route, that's all up to Eddie, I'm just going to keep concentrating on winning.

“It's nice to be the Inter-Continental champion; it gives you a World ranking and puts you in the shop window for some big fights, so I have to defend the title well. In the Lightweight division there are domestic fights that can almost serve as World title eliminators or propel you up the World rankings.”

Foster added: “It’s a great opportunity to fight on a massive bill in my hometown. I’m always in the gym and in great shape and I was preparing for December 11 in Australia, so there are no issues there, I’m ready.

“I’m up for any fight and this one promises to be a cracker. Anthony is a very good fighter and a local derby always gets the blood going so I can’t wait to get in there. He’s been in some tough fights recently with Gavin Rees and Derry Mathews that might have taken something out of him, so I think I can get up there at Lightweight and show that I’ve got the power to gate crash his party.”

Scott Quigg defends his WBA Super Bantamweight title against Diego Silva, Quigg’s gym-mate and resurgent Lightweight star Anthony Crolla will defend his WBO Inter-Continental Lightweight title following the withdrawal of British champion Martin Gethin on a busy night for trainer Joe Gallagher, who also has unbeaten Lightweight talent Scotty Cardle on the bill, but Super Middleweight sensation Callum Smith has been forced to pull out of the show through injury.

Former IBF World Bantamweight champion Jamie McDonnell and former British Featherweight and Super Featherweight champion Stephen Smith will both fight in eight round bouts on the stacked bill.

There’s also a late spot on the bill for Murray, who is back in action after his controversial loss to Sergio Martinez in his second World title challenge in April. The 31 year old will now face Sergey Khomitsky in Manchester after his December fight in Australia fell through.

Rocky Fielding defends his Commonwealth Super Middleweight title and Olympic Gold medal heroes Anthony Joshua MBE and Luke Campbell MBE are both in action in their fourth pro contests, as Heavyweight star Joshua takes his first significant step in the paid ranks against Hector Avila, who took Dereck Chisora nine rounds in April, while unbeaten Super Flyweight Kal Yafai continues his comeback from injury.