Monday 1 February 2016 14:32, UK
George Groves says there are 'many options' for his next opponent - but who do we want to see the Londoner in with?
The 27-year-old (22-3-KO17) began life under new trainer Shane McGuigan with an emphatic fifth-round stoppage of Andrea Di Luisa at the Copper Box Arena on Saturday.
As he begins his campaign for a fourth shot at a world super-middleweight title, Groves needs to plot his path carefully - so whether he fights another relative-unknown beforehand or not, here are his potential targets.
Smith is already booked in for a WBC title eliminator with Hadillah Mohoumadi on April 2 and the winner earns the right to face champion Badou Jack, who edged Groves with a split decision in September. But this is a fight that may make sense for both fighters.
After so nearly becoming their champion last year, Groves is still ranked third by the WBC and they therefore offer what seems to be the swiftest route back to a world title shot. Smith is arguably British boxing's most promising youngster but Groves has already said: "I'll fight Callum Smith for the No 1 spot."
The fight would represent a substantial pay-day for both but the likelihood of it taking place hinges on a) Smith beating Mohoumadi (which he's expected to do) and then b) Smith being sufficiently tempted by the money/prestige of the domestic bout to postpone challenging Jack.
Like the Smith clash, a meeting with domestic rival Murray would generate plenty of interest in Britain. The St Helens fighter is in a similar boat but has been denied a world title at the final hurdle on four occasions to Groves' three. With his most recent disappointment against WBO champion Arthur Abraham his first at super-middleweight, Murray could provide a classic 'last chance saloon' bout with Groves.
Frustratingly (not to mention completely unfairly), despite taking their champion Abraham to a split decision Murray remains unranked by the WBO. Only the WBC include the former British and Commonwealth middleweight champion in their hierarchy - although he recently outlined his desire to work his way into a mandatory position nevertheless.
With purely rankings in mind, a bout with Murray isn't the most attractive proposition on the table for Groves, but Murray was ringside for the victory over Di Luisa and vowed that the prospective bout would fill his beloved Langtree Park. It's another solid option, financially.
Whether the Swindon man has faced opposition worthy of elevating him to a fifth-place ranking with the WBO while Murray is unranked is irrelevant - he is their European champion and facing him would provide Groves with the opportunity to take a significant step towards Abraham.
Although Cox hasn't boxed at anywhere near the same level as Groves, he is a fairly scary proposition having dispatched his last three opponents inside a round. At the age of 29, the southpaw is one of the best British fighters currently going under the radar, and guarantees entertainment.
The reality is that Cox's name probably doesn't command enough attention or exposure for Groves' purpose at this point but although that means the bout represents a lot of risk for not much reward, it's a fight similar in intrigue to Groves v Smith.
New trainer Shane McGuigan says he'd rather go into a rematch with James DeGale with a world title already strapped around Groves' waist, but if Groves wants to face the IBF world champion sooner rather than later then facing Dirrell might be an idea.
DeGale claimed his crown by outpointing Dirrell in Boston in May 2015. Although the American was knocked down twice in the second round, DeGale took his foot off the pedal and chose to box his way to glory. If Groves could do a more emphatic job on 'The Resurrected', it would surely press fast-forward towards DeGale v Groves II.
That fight was the only time Dirrell boxed in 2015 and with his next bout yet to be confirmed, his activity is somewhat of a mystery. What is not a mystery is that he's ranked by both the WBC and the IBF and stopping him would lay down a clearly-visible marker.
DeGale made his first defence against Bute in November and the Canadian - a former world champion who was famously stunned by Carl Froch in 2012 - showed he's far from finished as he took DeGale the distance with a valiant display.
Much like the Dirrell scenario, if Groves could record a stoppage against Bute, it would catch the eye and propel him firmly back into the discussions of super-middleweight challengers. All four of Bute's bouts since the Froch defeat have taken place in his home province of Quebec in Canada, so Groves may have to travel.
If Groves hopes to finally become a world champion, outclassing (and preferably outgunning) the likes of Bute is a must. Because of his bouts with Froch and DeGale, Bute is known to British fans and Groves could therefore drum up support with an emphatic victory.
* Andre Ward remains in the super-middleweight division until he has officially fought at light-heavyweight.
