An astonishing 18,000 tickets for Carl Froch’s World Super Middleweight title clash with British rival George Groves were sold in just 11 minutes today.
Froch defends his WBA and IBF belts live on Sky Sports Box Office at the Phones4u Arena Manchester on November 23, and there was no love lost at the pair went face-to-face at the first press conference for the fight this lunchtime.
“Every time I hear that tickets have sold so fast I have to pinch myself,” said Froch. “To fill an Arena that’s not in my hometown, but still in a fantastic fighting city like Manchester, it’s humbling and I’m really looking forward to coming here and being part of this massive occasion.
“I’ve had some big international nights in my career against top class opposition, but a British fight always gets the blood flowing as the rivalry is more intense. You all know what I’m about and what I’m capable of, you’ve seen it time and time again against elite level opposition. I always turn up fully prepared and ready for battle for whoever is in the opposite corner, the fans are in for a real treat and they can look forward to a really exciting night.
“Since I’ve joined Eddie Hearn, my career has gone from strength to strength and I’ve become an international superstar. The fights I’ve been involved in are always big fights and a big deal and that’s because I always deliver a great fight. It’s down to me and Rob McCracken to get into the gym and kick on with the hard work, we’ve been on it for three or four weeks already and I love the graft in the gym, I thrive on it.”
“I’m thrilled to be part of this massive night, It’s a true honour to fight for a World title and to take on a well-established World champion like Carl Froch,” said Groves. “I’m not surprised that the fight has sold this fast as British boxing is on a high and this is one of the biggest fights we’re going to see in the next few years.
“It’s 100 per cent my time and I cannot wait to get in there and prove to everyone that this is a fight that I am more than ready for and I cannot wait to be World champion.”
Earlier in the day, Eddie Hearn announced that Anthony Crolla had signed a promotional deal with Matchroom Sport and will appear on the undercard, and told fans to expect a star-studded supporting cast in Manchester.
“We’ve got some big stuff planned – World title fights, big domestic crunch matches and some of the best young talent in Britain,” said Hearn. “The full undercard will be announced in the week after the David Haye vs. Tyson Fury clash, Anthony Crolla will fight on the bill, Scott Quigg has a World title fight next weekend and he will be on the bill if he comes through that with flying colours, and there will be many more surprise names to be added to what will be the best card Matchroom have put on.”
