Britain’s brightest boxing prospect George Groves (8-0) takes centre stage on April 3rd in Manchester, as he provides chief support to David Haye’s WBA world heavyweight title showdown against John Ruiz.
The unbeaten Hammersmith puncher will challenge reigning Commonwealth champion Charles Adamu (17-4) in the first scheduled 12-round contest of ‘The Saint’s fledgling career. Still only 21, Groves has swiftly romped to 8-0 as a professional and now contests his first pro title at the MEN Arena, screened live on Sky Box Office.
A two-time Senior ABA champion, Groves has made a seamless adjustment to the professional game, having only made his debut in November 2008. With a title shot now on the horizon, Groves stands to become the first of Britain’s many exciting super-middleweight prospects to claim a professional belt round his waist.
Standing in his way will be Adamu, a teak tough warrior from Accra, Ghana. Renowned for his incredible chin and non-stop work ethic, Adamu has yet to be stopped in 21 professional contests. He lifted his second Commonwealth super-middleweight title last December with a 12-round decision win over Liverpool’s Carl Dilks.
The 32-year-old Adamu is perhaps best remembered for pushing Carl Froch to the wire in an ultra-competitive Commonwealth title fight in March 2004. As well as threatening Froch, Adamu has also shared ring duties with world-class contenders Otis Grant and Vitali Tsypko. Adamu first won the Commonwealth strap with a 2003 victory over Southampton’s Matthew Barney.
Also looking to steal a slice of the limelight on April 3rd will be Scotland’s Commonwealth king Lee McAllister (31-2). ‘The Aberdeen Assassin’ will put his belt on the line against fellow Brit Ben Murphy (7-2-1), again over the 12-round distance.
The 27-year-old McAllister has won his last four bouts and is on an impressive run of three straight Commonwealth title victories. He looks to continue this hot-streak against Southern Arena champion Murphy, a 29-year-old yet to be stopped as a professional.
Meanwhile, former British champions Jamie Moore (32-4) and Tony Quigley (13-2) also see action on the bumper April 3rd bill. Ex light-middleweight titleholder Moore moves up to middleweight to tackle Sergey Khomitsky (21-7-1) over 10 rounds, while super-middleweight Quigley meets an opponent to be announced in an eight-rounder.
An intriguing battle at light-welterweight sees Driffield’s Curtis Woodhouse (11-1) lock horns with classy Frenchman Christopher Sebire (19-3) in a competitive eight-round bout. Sebire is the current French light-welterweight champion and unquestionably represents the sternest test of Woodhouse’s 12-bout pro career.
Rounding off the April 3rd card will be appearances from former Commonwealth super-middleweight title challenger Carl Dilks (13-2), Stateside prospect Adrian Gonzalez (5-0) and Danny Randell (1-0), who faces Sheffield showman Daniel Thorpe (23-95-3) over four rounds.