GEORGE GROVES has signed a promotional deal with Frank Maloney, and will box at Seaburn Centre, Sunderland on Friday 16th October. The super-middleweight sensation, 21, will continue to be managed by Hayemaker Promotions and trained by Adam Booth. Maloney believes he now has the three best super-middleweight prospects in the country on his books, Olympic bronze medallist Tony Jeffries (3-0), Travis Dickinson (3-0) and Groves (4-0)..
All three will be in action on the Sunderland bill and inside 18 months they could be boxing each other for major titles.
Maloney said: “I am delighted to have signed a promotional deal with George who is one of the world’s best young prospects.
“Down the line there could be a rivalry between himself, Tony and Travis to match the 1990s competition between Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank and Michael Watson.
“Obviously there has to be a lot of discussion with George and his management team Adam Booth and David Haye, but a match against Travis is the obvious one.
“There is some unfinished business from their amateur days and George won’t mind me saying there is a score to settle.”
As an amateur Groves won two ABA middleweight titles, gold at the EU championships and was an accomplished kick boxer.
Heading the talent bursting Sunderland bill is a British super-bantamweight title defence by Jason Booth (33-5) who faces Hartlepool’s former European champion Michael Hunter.
Booth, 31, will be having his 17th major title contest and making the second defence of the championship he won against Mark Moran in April.
Tickets priced £35 and £90 are available from 0871 226 1508, Phil Jeffries 0191 564 0202 and www.frankmaloney.com. Those buying from the website will receive a discount.
BROOK LOOKING TO HAMED
New British Boxing Writers’ Young Boxer of the Year Kell Brook says he’ll be seeking advice from a former winner – Naseem Hamed.
Sheffield’s Brook defends his British welterweight title at the Liverpool Echo Arena on October 30 against Michael Jennings.
The hot shot has already won the Lonsdale belt outright, but is looking to notch another win against his closest British rival in a mouthwatering War of the Roses clash.
And he says he’ll be taking a few tips from Naz ahead of his next fight.
Unbeaten Brook, who is in the middle of a hot KO streak, has been compared to Hamed ever since he turned professional as a teenager.
Like The Prince, Brook is trained by Brendan Ingle, and a combination of unorthodox style and stunning power have made him a firm favourite with fans.
“Naseem was always my hero when I was growing up, and to be compared to him is very flattering,” said Brook.
“I’m always looking for ways to improve, and I know getting advice from Hamed will help me go to the next level.
“Everyone keeps telling me that I am good enough to win a world title, but if I hear it from the mouth of a legend like that then it will really boost my confidence.”
The 23-year-old, who makes the fourth defence of his British welterweight title against Jennings, has vowed to go all the way to world glory – just like Hamed.
“I’ve got the power, I’ve got the skill and I’ve got the desire,” he said. “Jenning is a stepping stone to greater things.
“It reminds me a bit of when Hamed fought Steve Robinson. Everyone said that Naz was to young and would get exposed by the more experienced fighter.
“But he went in there and blasted out Robinson and I’ll do the same to Jennings. I’m winning this fight by knockout and no one will stop me.”
Tickets priced at £30 (Tier), £40 (Tier), £50 (Tier), £100 (Floor), £150 (Floor) and £200 (Ringside) are available from:
Liverpool Echo Arena
0844 8000 400
www.accliverpool.com
Ticketmaster
0844 847 2500
www.ticketmaster.co.uk
Frank Warren Promotions
01992 550 888
www.frankwarren.tv