By Terence Dooley

Eddie Hearn has added George Groves (22-3, 17 KOs) to his April 9 Sky Sports Box Office-televised card at London’s O2 Arena.  Groves is guided by Sauerland Promotions, who have worked with Hearn in the past.  Indeed, the two parties are currently working on a possible showdown between Groves and doemstic rival Martin Murray, but Groves must first get past Scotland's David Brophy in a 12-round contest.

The three-time world title challenger beat Andrea Di Luisa in five last time out, his first outing under new coach Shane McGuigan, and he could secure a Murray clash in the summer if he gets past Brophy (16-0-1, 1 KO).

“It’s nice to be in a domestic dust-up,” said Groves in a press release announcing the fight.  “David is an undefeated fighter so I’m sure he will be coming with a lot of confidence.  It’s great to be back on Sky Sports and part of a great Box Office line-up. I’m looking forward to it.

“I had a good performance last time out against Di Luisa and I will be using that momentum going in this fight.  Hopefully I’ll get a similar result and we can move on to the bigger fights in the summer.

“The work with Shane is going well.  I think we will see even more improvements. The sparring has been better—the technical sessions have been better.  I think that will come out more and more in this next fight.”

He added: “I’m sure it won’t be long until back in the World title mix. There’s plenty of big fights out there for me, and I’m willing to fight anyone, so we will see what routes open for me.”

“George has never shied away from a challenge, and on April 9, he’s back in action against a young undefeated prospect,” said Kalle Sauerland.  “This will be another good test for George and a chance for him to showcase more of the improvements he has made since teaming up with Shane McGuigan.  It’s an exciting time for the ‘Saint’ with a lot of big fights on the horizon.”

“This is a massive opportunity for me,” stated Brophy. “I have done my apprenticeship and I have waited patiently for a chance, so this is a great chance for me to show what I can do on an outstanding show.

“I said yes to the fight straightaway. I didn’t even know how many rounds it was, or anything about the money, I just said yes. I haven’t been in the limelight, you never really are in Scotland, so opportunities don’t come too often and you miss 100 per cent of the opportunities you don’t take.

“I don't mind being the underdog. I know people will say I am the underdog straight away and George is a good fighter and I know that. But I am more than prepared for this step up and I will give it everything I have got. I feel really confident and I would have taken the fight if I wasn't. I'm not here to make up numbers and that's the first mistake that anybody will make. I'm there to do a job.

“I expect George to be fast and to try and do a job on me. I feel as if he is going to have a big fight in the summer, and whatever that is I think they will be treating me as a stepping stone and that is even better for me because I don't mind being the underdog and I don’t mind going into somebody's back garden either.”

Anthony Joshua tops the bill in his first world title tilt, he meets America’s Charles Martin for the IBF title that was stripped from Tyson Fury shortly he won the belt by beating Wladimir Klitschko in Germany.

Lee Selby defends his IBF featherweight title against Eric Hunter on an undercard that also features Matthew Macklin’s showdown with Brian Rose.  Connor Benn, the son of two-time world titlist Nigel, is also on the bill and will make his pro debut.

The addition of Groves-Brophy has bolstered a show that is already starting to take shape.  Joshua packs the venue out every time he fights there and his British, Commonwealth and WBC International title win over also posted healthy PPV figures as his popularity continues to soar among the so-called casual fanbase.

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