Boxing: Promoter Eddie Hearn confirms Wembley and the Emirates lead the way in hosting rematch between Carl Froch and George Groves

Hearn has revealed that the two London-based football stadiums are where he wants to put on the hotly-anticipated rematch

Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed that Wembley and the Emirates are leading the way to host the Carl Froch v George Groves rematch (GETTY IMAGES)

Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed that the hotly anticipated rematch between Carl Froch and George Groves will take place at either Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium or the home of English football – Wembley Stadium.

Writing in his fortnightly column for the Daily Mail, Hearn revealed that the two stadiums are the frontrunners to host one of the biggest British bouts in boxing history on May 31. Hearn appeared on Sky Sports News last week alongside Groves to confirm an agreement on the rematch, following their exhilarating bout in November.

“I can reveal here that my two frontrunners for the venue on May 31 are the Emirates Stadium and Wembley,” Hearn confirmed.

Many have questioned whether a fight at Wembley can go ahead on the date, given that Roy Hodgson’s England will be taking part in a World Cup warm-up match against Peru the day before.

But boxing promoter Hearn, who represents IBF and WBA super-middleweight world champion Froch, allied fears over a clash with the Three Lions by stressing that he was doing everything possible to make the fight happen at Wembley.

“People have suggested that I have ruled out Wembley because England will have a football match there against Peru on May 30. That’s not true,” Hearn continued.

“It is a massive logistical challenge to stage a fight of this magnitude just a day later but I am doing everything I can to make sure I have the best options available. That includes Wembley.

“We are also looking at Old Trafford and the City Ground in Nottingham, but my heart says this is a London fight. This is a statement fight, a fight that will show where boxing stands.”

Should Wembley be unable to stage what could be the biggest fight in British boxing – eclipsing the likes of Nigel Benn v Chris Eubank – Hearn revealed that Arsenal would be as good a venue, given the boxing history that goes back to 1966 when legends collided at Highbury in Muhamed Ali and Henry Cooper.

“Arsenal would love to stage it,” Hearn admitted. “They staged Muhammad Ali-Henry Cooper at Highbury in 1966 and one of their directors, Ken Friar, was telling me how much they want to be involved. It’s going to be a special night.”