Boxing: Carl Froch hails career highlight after Groves KO

Froch in action (PA)

Carl Froch believes his knock-out victory over George Groves at Wembley Stadium proves he is among the best fighters in the world.

Froch retained his IBF and WBA super-middleweight titles with a crunching right-hander in the eighth round which floored Groves in front of 80,000 fans.

The win brings to an end months of wrangling between the pair since Froch controversially beat Groves in the first fight between the two in November.

"I showed tonight why I'm a four-time champion of the world, why I've defended my world title 1

Froch in action (PA)

3 times on the spin," Froch said.

"I am amongst the best fighters in the world - that's who George Groves was in there with toni

Froch in action (PA)

ght.

"The finish of that (fight) showed why I've mixed with the elite for many years and how hard it is to get to that level."

He added: "I am feeling unbelievably elated, this is the best moment in the history of my boxing career."

Groves made a solid start to the contest which began cagily, with neither fighter wanting to give anything away.

Froch was patient, waiting for his opening and Groves struggled to keep pace as the fight wore on.

"I knew it was only going to take a couple of big right hands to the chin and I timed it perfectly," Froch said.

"It's a 12-round sport, last time I was rushing it, I was trying to catch him with that shot in round one and ended up walking into one and it made for a spectacle.

"That was a tactical, stand-off fight. We had a game plan and the game plan was executed perfectly tonight."

Groves taunted Froch in the build-up to the fight and predicted he would knock his opponent out with a left hook.

The 26-year-old, however, was magnanimous in defeat while pledging to return "bigger, better and stronger".

"It's boxing and fair play to Carl, he caught me and I went down," Groves said.

"Obviously I felt I was doing very well in the fight, I was in my groove and I was boxing well but it's boxing.

"I've got to hold my hands up - Carl caught me with a shot but I'll come back bigger, better and stronger.

"Ultimately I feel like I let myself down but congratulations to Carl, fair play, he got the punch.

"I congratulate him and wish him all the best."

Groves also insists there is no bad blood between him and Froch, adding: "It's boxing, the fights are hyped, I honestly feel no way about any of my opponents.

"I don't like them or dislike them, it's the easiest way for me to go about my business."

PA