Wednesday 7 December 2016 14:35, UK
George Groves wants his world title challenge against Fedor Chudinov to take place in London, in March.
The Hammersmith-born super-middleweight has been mandated to fight the Russian for the vacant WBA 'Super' title, with negotiations to be concluded by January 5.
Groves will be making his fourth bid to become a world champion having lost to Badou Jack in Las Vegas for the WBC title last year and twice losing to Carl Froch.
However, after his part in the record-breaking second fight with 'The Cobra' at Wembley Stadium, Groves is keen for his fourth defence to take place in London.
"I want it in London, it's where I want to finally become a world champion," Groves told Sky Sports.
"I know we'll see 8,000-10,000 and so many people couldn't make it or afford to get out to Vegas for the last one and I know so many people want to be there for this one.
"This is no undercard fight because you can see people still want to come and watch me. Chudinov came over here to defend his title against Frank Buglioni, so I am sure he will be happy to come over.
"I am sure we will come to an agreement and I reckon we are looking at March. I like March and Chudinov is Russian and I know their Christmas is a little bit later than ours, so I can't see him being in a huge rush. It means there is time for it all to settle and then start building it up and selling it. London and March work well for me."
Chudinov was the former WBA 'world' champion at 168lbs after beating Felix Sturm in May 21, with his first defence against Buglioni - who is challenging Hosea Burton for the British light-heavyweight title on Sky Sports Box Office on Saturday - at Wembley Arena.
The Russian then took on Sturm for the 'super' title only to lose a mixed decision, but with the former holder failing a drugs test after the February fight, the governing body want their two top-ranked contenders to box for the vacant title next year, with Groves confident he can make it fourth time lucky.
"Chudinov has had a bit of a stop-start career," he added. "Look at his record and he's only had 15 fights but he has obviously been a world champion in that time and we saw his brother come over here to fight Chris Eubank Jr, so we know he is a good, technical, strong, typical Russian fighter.
"It won't be easy by any stretch but I've had such a good year and it has all been building to this moment and this fight with Chudinov. I feel the fights I've had have been the ideal preparation for Chudinov.
"His people have already been in touch but of course, you are always waiting for the official news and the serious negotiations start once the WBA announce their decision formally but we've been in contact over the last few weeks and we knew it was going to take place.
"I am excited and I've got a spring in my step for Christmas which is nice. I picked up a big turkey roll this morning and stopped and put it back down!"
Watch Hosea Burton v Frank Buglioni on the undercard of Joshua v Molina, on December 10, live on Sky Sports Box Office. Book the event via your Sky remote or online here.
