George Groves is to undergo surgery on the shoulder injury suffered during his victory over Chris Eubank Jnr.
The WBA super-middleweight champion insists he can therefore be fit to fight Callum Smith in the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) 12-stone final if it can be postponed until July.
The 29-year-old dislocated his left shoulder during the final round of what was a convincing victory at the Manchester Arena, casting doubt on his ability to be ready for the match-up with Smith that had been scheduled for June 2 at London's 02 Arena.
He described the procedure as "minor" and is therefore confident of not only recovering his fitness but of their fight being delayed, instead of a replacement found so that the original date can be honoured.
"This morning I go in for a minor operation on my injured shoulder," Groves wrote on social media. "The good news is I'll be fit to fight in the final in July. We will be applying for a one-month extension and are hopeful of securing this."
Partly because of his status as the world's leading super-middleweight and his long-term relationship with WBSS promoters Sauerland, Groves is expected to be granted that extension. If he is not, alternative opponents, including Eubank Jnr and James DeGale, will be considered as replacements in the final against Smith.
