Boxing: Injured Groves out of title defence

George Groves has withdrawn from his British and Commonwealth super-middleweight title defence after sustaining a hand injury in training.

The 23-year-old, whose opponent had yet to be named, was set to joint-headline a card alongside James DeGale at the Liverpool Echo Arena on 9 December.

"I'm really gutted as I was coming along nicely in training," said the Hammersmith fighter.

"I'm just sorry that my fans won't be able to see me in action," Groves added, "but I'll be back early next year and ready to kick off 2012 with a bang as I continue towards further titles."