Froch-Groves II to be held at Wembley

The rematch between Carl Froch and George Groves will take place at Wembley Stadium, it has been announced.

Froch had previously tweeted his preference for the City Ground in his home town of Nottingham but promoter Eddie Hearn had spoken of a desire for the fight to be held at an “audacious” venue.

Such is the interest in the rematch, it has been announced that it will take place at the national football stadium on May 31.

England play Peru in a friendly international the night before the Froch-Groves fight, their final match before they depart for Miami to finalise their World Cup preparations.

“Ever since I walked out at Wembley I knew this was the one,” said promoter Hearn. “Logistically we had some hurdles to overcome but the support of Wembley, The FA and Sky Sports have helped make history here. This is the first ever fight at the new Wembley Stadium and what better venue to stage the biggest British fight of all time.

“I’m proud to be involved in an event of this magnitude. Internationally the fight will broadcast live to over 100 countries around the world but ultimately this a night that will take British boxing to a new level. The rivalry is fierce; everything is on the line, quite simply: you need to be at Wembley on May 31st."

Wembley holds 90,000 people and the contest will likely beat the previous post war attendance for a UK fight, which is held by Ricky Hatton’s win over Juan Lazcano in May 2008, when 57,000 fans crammed into the City of Manchester Stadium.

The most famous fight held at the previous Wembley was Henry Cooper's battle with Muhammad Ali, then named Cassius Clay, in 1963.