5 Potential Opponents for Super Middleweight George Groves' Next Fight

Super middleweight George Groves could not have asked for a better opponent in his first outing since a third failed attempt at winning a world title.

Italian Andrea Di Luisa was an easy target for Saint George, who was back fighting on home soil in London after his defeat to WBC champion Badou Jack in Las Vegas on Sept. 12, 2015.

It did not take long to see Groves (22-3, 17 KOs) was a class above his foe at the Copper Box Arena.

The Englishman knocked his rival down once in Round 4 and then twice again in the next, leading to Di Luisa's corner throwing in the towel in Round 5, sparing their man from further punishment.

Boosted by his new partnership with trainer Shane McGuigan, Groves will now look to plot a path to the top.

The 27-year-old told Richard Damerell of Sky Sports he is willing to take on anyone in the division: "I'll fight anyone, take any opportunity. We've been working on some things and I'm sure doors will open up quickly. In the meantime, we'll train more with Shane and gel more."

Here, Bleacher Report looks at five potential opponents for Groves' next fight.

Groves will always be linked with James DeGale, whether he likes it or not.

The rivalry between the pair stretches back to their amateur days, while Groves is the only fighter to beat DeGale (22-1, 14 KOs) in the professional ranks.

Chunky, however, has gone on to claim the IBF title since that points defeat in 2011.

Having Andre Dirrell on points to pick up the vacant strap in May 2015, he successfully defended the crown from Lucian Bute toward the end of the same year.

However, journalist Declan Taylor revealed on Twitter that the post-fight press conference at the Copper Box Arena didn't even see DeGale's name come up: "Today, a curious thing happened in the bowels of the Copper Box: A [Groves] presser was completed without any Qs about James DeGale."

So, what other names are out there for Groves to consider?

Dirrell and Bute are names in the frame, while the winner of February's clash between reigning WBA Super Champion Fedor Chudinov and the experienced Felix Sturm could also be an option.

However, don't expect Saint George to kill time by dropping back down to fight for a domestic title.

If Groves wants to fight for a world title in his next outing, Giovanni De Carolis would be a man to target.

The Italian became the new WBA Super Champion—a title vacated by Andre Ward's decision to move up to light heavyweight—by stopping German Vincent Feigenbutz on Jan. 9.

De Carolis (24-6, 12 KOs) had lost a first meeting against Feigenbutz on points but made sure the judges were not needed second time around.

Per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN.com): "De Carolis, who was the busier fighter throughout, rocked the German with a huge right and pinned him against the ropes with a flurry of punches before referee Gustavo Padilla stopped the bout 32 seconds into the round."

The 31-year-old from Lazio has yet to schedule a first defence of his crown, according to BoxRec.

Groves would fancy his chances against an opponent who was comprehensively beaten on points by Arthur Abraham in 2013.

Groves and Anthony Dirrell have something in common, aside from both fighting at super middleweight.

Both suffered defeats against Jack in 2015, with Dirrell (28-1-1, 22 KOs) surrendering his grip on the WBC title when losing on points.

However, The Dog returned to winning ways in a 10-rounder against Marco Antonio Rubio in Sept. 2015, triumphing by a wide margin on the judges' scorecards.

Dan Rafael of ESPN said of Dirrell's performance: "He totally dominated the outclassed Rubio and won every round for the shutout decision in the CBS-televised Premier Boxing Champions main event. The fight looked like a mismatch on paper and was exactly that in reality."

With Groves happy to fight again on American soil, it raises the possibility of his appearing on the undercard to Manny Pacquiao's farewell bout against Timothy Bradley. He told Jeff Powell of the Daily Mail: "I still love Las Vegas. I’ve done the Mayweather undercard so why not do the Pacquiao bill? That would be cool."

Dirrell would be a good opponent for April 9 at the MGM Grand, with the winner looking to get a shot at revenge against Jack later in the year.

Arthur Abraham is scheduled to defend his WBO belt against Gilberto Ramirez at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on April 9.

However, King Arthur could be on the cards for Groves in the summer months.

For starters, the deal should be relatively easy to make. Both men are promoted by the Sauerland brothers, while the duo have also shown a willingness to fight abroad in the past, provided the price is right.

Kalle Sauerland told Nick Parkinson of ESPN.co.uk: "Arthur fighting in America will make a fight against George so much bigger or a unification fight so much bigger. It will put Arthur on the world map."

Abraham (44-4, 29 KOs) has experience of facing English opponents.

He was beaten by Carl Froch in the Super Six World Boxing Classic in Helsinki, Finland, in 2010, but has since recorded wins over Paul Smith (twice) and Martin Murray in his adopted homeland of Germany.

Like Groves, Callum Smith is aiming for a shot at a world title at the 168-pound limit.

Smith, who is from Liverpool, England, has a perfect 18-0 (13 KOs) record as a professional.

The 25-year-old was last seen knocking out local rival Rocky Fielding inside a round. That victory secured the British super middleweight title, but Mundo has his eyes on bigger prizes than a Lonsdale Belt.

Smith is scheduled to face European champion Hadillah Mohoumadi on April 2. Per Isaac Robinson of Sky Sports, the bout will also be a final eliminator with the WBC, meaning the winner will face champion Jack.

However, Mohoumadi is only ranked No. 7 by the governing body. Groves, in contrast, is still at No. 3 on their list, per FightNews.com.

The Saint is happy to take on compatriot Smith, according to Declan Taylor of the Daily Star: "Eddie Hearn has tried to slip Smith through in a final eliminator—I don’t even know the guy he’s fighting. I’ll fight Callum Smith for the No.1 spot, that’s a fight that interests me."

Whether in Liverpool, London or on neutral territory, Groves vs. Smith would be a must-watch fight. However, it seems Mohoumadi is standing in the way of it happening.

Martin Murray was at the Copper Box Arena to see Groves defeat Di Luisa with ease.

Murray (32-3-1, 15 KOs) would definitely offer a much sterner test than the Italian. He also knows all about falling short at the final hurdle, having lost in four world-title fights.

He admitted to Sky Sports he would be keen to face his fellow Englishman, even if a belt isn't up for grabs:

I've always wanted the big domestic fights. When I was a middleweight, I wanted them with (Darren) Barker, I wanted them with (Matthew) Macklin—they never happened. I then went on to world level.

Now it seems with me moving up to super-middleweight, the domestic fights can happen. Like I've said, I've always wanted them, so I just want to be involved in big domestic fights and George Groves is a big domestic fight.

Murray, who was on the wrong end of a split-decision verdict when he took on WBO champion Arthur Abraham in Nov. 2015, is a tough competitor.

The fighter from St Helens took Gennady Golovkin 11 rounds when campaigning at middleweight, with GGG the only man to stop him in 36 professional bouts.

Who would you like to see Groves fight next? Do you think he will end up winning a world title? Offer your opinions via the comments section.