Groves lines-up Dilks test

George Groves will meet Carl Dilks in an eliminator for the British super-middleweight title on the undercard of David Haye’s WBA heavyweight title defence against John Ruiz at the M.E.N Arena in Manchester on 3 April.

Last week the undefeated Groves, 8-0 (6), offered former amateur nemesis James DeGale £50,000 to share a ring with him on 3 April which was rejected by the Olympic gold medalist. Yesterday BoxRec News revealed that Kenny Anderson, who faces Paul David in another eliminator for the British 12st crown on 15 March, was willing to fight Groves on the Haye-Ruiz bill for the same money that was apparently on offer to DeGale.

With 13 victories from his 15 contests, Dilks will provide stern opposition for Groves. The Liverpool fighter was deemed unfortunate not to claim the vacant Commonwealth title when dropping a debatable split decision to Ghana’s Charles Adamu in December. Reigning British super-middleweight champion Paul Smith defends his title against former champion Tony Dodson in a scouse derby at the Liverpool Echo Arena on 12 March.