Quotes from George Groves

I have always wanted to be European champion, because it is a fantastic title and so many great boxers have held the belt over the years.

Why do I manage myself? I don't trust anyone else to do it, to be honest.

If you're driving home and your kids are playing up in the back seat, I'm pretty sure that's taxing. You're trying to hold your composure, you're trying not to shout at them.

I've won junior titles, ABA titles and boxed for England all over the world against future Olympic champions as an amateur - and then beat world-class fighters as a professional.

Once I've got that world title I'll never want to lose it. I'll fight tooth and nail to keep it.

I've good memories of fighting at the Echo Arena. It's been a happy hunting ground for me in the past.

The lighter I am going into a fight, the more likely I am to get ill.

Rebrasse was a good opponent, a tough guy, he took an awful lot of punches. I knew it was going to be tough. I didn't want to run out of steam, I felt in great condition but you always have to be cautious against a guy who has never been stopped.

Chudinov is one of the toughest guys I fought. It was only the slump of his shoulders that made me think he's hurt because there's no grimace, or rolling eyes. He was never going down.

It is an individual sport and you don't get many opportunities to overturn dodgy decisions.

I don't want there to be a time where I'm 'too old' to box on, or where an injury retires me in or out of the ring.

Badou Jack is a great fighter, but there is a lot that he does that I do better. I have enough power to take him out.

A rivalry is me and James DeGale. That is ingrained in people now.

I didn't fool myself into thinking I was world class just because I'd beaten James DeGale.

I've boxed on with cuts, broken jaws, everything.

When friends started smoking at 16 or drinking at 18, I made myself not follow. No lads' holidays, all that stuff.

If you asked me to go on stage now, even to do karaoke, I'd fall apart. I'm far more comfortable getting stuck into a fight.

I want to knock people out.

I am an old man and sometimes I struggle to keep up with some of the youngsters on the circuits. But at the same time, it is keeping me young.

Brits love a road trip supporting a British fighter.

Being champion, there's a different mindset.

I never spoke out as a kid, I was never good at it as a kid, I was always too shy but I think I have a story and would like to be good at it and tell my story.

If people want to say nasty things that's a good thing in a way because it means people will underestimate me come fight night.

It's iconic, it's Wembley. When I go running up Primrose Hill you can see the arch. It's a great thing and it's a proud spot for London.