George Groves was booed into the ring before last night’s title fight with WBA and IBF World Champion Carl Froch after being viewed as a swaggering newcomer.
Yet his brave and forceful display, controversially ended in the ninth round by referee Howard Foster, saw a relieved Froch retain his belts - with Groves being cheered by the crowd for his tenacity.
Froch said of the verdict to halt the fight: "Howard is a very experienced ref. George had his head low and I had a free shot and the referee had a split-second decision to make. It was dangerous and he had to put the safety of the fighter first.
"Let's have a rematch and sort it out."
The 36 year-old Nottingham born super-middleweight insisted: "As a fighter I have never had disrespect for him [Groves].
“As a person he was antagonistic towards me and was being disrespectful and rude. I'm a man of my word. He's a good fighter and I've seen what he can do. He's earned more respect from me in the fight. We had a chat, he gave me an answer and I respect him for that.
"I've got a little more respect for him as a fighter and a little more respect as a person.
"He got booed into the arena and he's getting cheered out of it. But let's not forget who won here. It was a very educated decision. I get stuck in and that's why everybody loves me. I gave everyone entertainment and I can't be held responsible for what the referee did."
Hammersmith-born Groves complained about the way the contest ended maintaining: "He caught me with a good shot but that should never have been a stoppage.
"Because he's got this warrior image, he got the benefit of the doubt. Because I've got this chinny image it was stopped prematurely, in my opinion.
"I know I'm going to be a great fighter. I had it taken away from me tonight. I'll come back better and stronger, and I hope I get that chance."
