Mexican test for Groves

Groves: headed for Vegas

We are taking this fight very seriously. American fights are the best in the world.

George Groves
Quotes of the week

LIVE ON SKY SPORTS
WBA & WBO lightweight titles
Juan Manuel Marquez v Juan Diaz
2am, Sun, Aug 1, Sky Sports HD1 &1

Also see

• Second Shout
• Sky Sports experts
• Champions
• On Sky TV
• £5 Free Bet

George Groves will face Mexican Alfredo Contreras when he finally makes his American debut.

The Commonwealth super-middleweight champion will box on the undercard of Juan Manuel Marquez's double world-title rematch with Juan Diaz, a fight you can see live on Sky Sports.

Contreras will take a record of 11-7-1 into the ring at the Mandalay Bay on July 31 - twice as many professional fights as Groves has had.

He has lost three of his last four, but has been matched with Canadian champion David Lemieux and came within 30 seconds of taking rated American banger Anthony Dirrell the distance.

It will be the first time Groves has faced a Mexican, but the 22-year-old is determined to make a statement and take his winning record into double figures.

"I want to put on a show, be my very best and win over fans Stateside," he said

"The US have some very promising super-middleweights starting to break through, it's my job to show they won't be having it all their own way in years to come on the biggest stage.

"GoldenBoy promotions have great faith in me, I plan to repay them with dazzling performances."

"We are taking this fight very seriously. American fights are the best in the world. No slip-ups can happen so I am in full training and treating this like a defence of my title."

Attraction

Groves was initially due to make his Stateside debut on the Floyd Mayweather-Shane Mosley bill at the start of May, but saw his plans scuppered by volcanic ash.

He now finds himself part of a strong GoldenBoy card that features Marquez-Diaz II, Jorge Linares v Rocky Juarez and Joel Casamyaor v Robert Guerrero, as well as former Joe Calzaghe foe Sakio Bika.

But top of the bill could well go to a man who is not even fighting - world heavyweight champion David Haye.

Haye is expected to be in Groves' corner, along with Adam Booth, as Hayemaker looks to strengthen its ties with Oscar de la Hoya's promotional powerhouse.

"In George Groves' corner is going to be no other than the heavyweight champion of the world, David Haye, so it's going to be an exciting added attraction to have David and George Groves there at the Mandalay Bay," said GoldenBoy chief executive Richard Schaefer.

Sky Bet Odds: