George Groves has revealed that a deal to fight IBF super-middleweight champion Carl Froch is close to being finalised.
The Londoner has become mandatory challenger for the belt, and Froch said over the weekend that he would be willing to face Groves.
The 25-year-old claims that his next fight will be for the IBF title regardless, but he would prefer it to be against Froch.
"Once you are mandatory, you are guaranteed to fight for a world title," Groves told IBTimes. "My next fight will be for a world title. I want to fight Carl Froch.
"Hopefully I'll speak to [promoter] Eddie Hearn and he can get it signed, sealed and delivered sooner rather than later. I think we are close to doing a deal as that is the fight I want.
"I bring significant value to a fight with Froch. He is a good fighter but he'll only be in big fights with the right opponent. He's not a standalone fighter."
Fellow British boxer David Haye has backed Groves to do well in the fight, claiming his stable-mate has the capability to win.
