Exclusive – Beat Froch and Groves can be a British boxing great, says Collins

Steve Collins believes George Groves can go on to be a great of British boxing if he can find a way past Carl Froch.

Groves, 25, steps up to world title level for the first time when he takes on Froch for his WBA and IBF super-middleweight titles on Saturday night.

Collins is anticipating an explosive encounter at the Manchester Arena and reckons a victory for Groves, unbeaten in his 19 professional fights, can set him on the path to a special career.

"I think he is ready," Collins, the former world super-middleweight champion, told the Weekend Sports Breakfast.

"I saw George early in his career and he was a nice boxer and a good kid but of recent he has shown more to me than I thought he had.

"If George Groves goes on to win this fight, he is going to go on to be one of the greatest in British boxing because he is going to show that he can, at this early stage of his career, take on the big strong puncher and win.

"If he does win this fight, he is going to be something really special. I've grown to like and be more impressed by Groves.

“I see a great fight and whoever sticks to the game plan can win because both these guys have the ability to beat each other."

Collins, however, admits he is rooting for Froch.

The Nottingham-born fighter will be be engaging in his 11th world title bout in a row and, at 36, his career is coming towards the end.

"I like Carl Froch," said Collins. "I hope he wins. He has got this fight and one or two more big ones left in him, but George Groves still has time on his side.”