Tuesday 15 November 2016 18:25, UK
George Groves is confident of getting a shot at the WBA ‘Super’ world super-middleweight title next year.
The Londoner will firstly face Eduard Gutknecht on Friday night at Wembley Arena as he makes the second defence of his WBA 'International' title.
Groves (24-3-KO18) won the title by stopping David Brophy in April before defending the belt with an impressive victory over Martin Murray.
The three-time world title challenger is consequently ranked at No 3 with the WBA and is hopeful of getting a shot at the 'Super' title should he defeat Gutknecht on Friday.
The WBA 'Super' title was recently vacated by Felix Sturm and Russian Fedor Chudinov - who contentiously lost the title to Sturm in February - will likely be Groves' opponent.
Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports, Groves said: "The WBA is definitely my preferred route at the minute, especially when you look at the situation regarding all of the other belts.
"The IBF and WBC straps are tied up with James Degale and Badou Jack fighting with Callum Smith waiting in the wings for the latter, while the WBO have just announced eliminators which do not include me.
"The WBA is the way that I'm going and there isn't a super champ at the minute, so my ideal plan is to face Chudinov for the vacant belt - that's what I will be pushing for."
While the 'Super' title remains the more lucrative option, Groves' Sauerland-promoted stablemate Tyron Zeuge recently claimed the 'Regular' title by stopping tough Italian Giovanni De Carolis.
"If the 'Super' option doesn't go my way then I would love to fight Zeuge," Groves continued. "I would beat him every day of the week.
"We are both under the Sauerland banner so it is very easily made. I'm glad that he managed to win the title because it can only benefit my situation and gives me plenty of options going forward."
