CHAMP IS HERE! Groves still confident

ALWAYS WANE WAY

NICK PARKINSON Arthur Abraham – the WBO beltholder – by the end of 2016.

He said: “I quickly realised I had to try again, not pack it in.

“I would just get fat and lazy if I had a few months and came back in say, May or June.

“I don’t feel sorry for myself, it’s time to go out and deliver.

“I need to get my ranking back, then I can see what route I’m going down in terms of world titles.

“Without a shadow of doubt, I can fight for a world title this year, maybe in the second half of the year.”

That will require Groves to win a number of fights early in the year – and is something he is prepared for physically and mentally.

“In an ideal world, I would have a minimum of three fights by the summer and in the second half of the year challenge for a world title” he added.

“By that time my profile will be reasonable.

“My promoter, Kalle Sauerland, also promotes Arthur Abraham and that could be a big fight over here.

“I think it’s the easiest route for me back to a world title, fighting Abraham.

“Losing a split-decision is never a nice feeling but it’s not the end of the world and I would love to get another crack at Jack too.

“It was a close fight and getting up off the floor and fighting on has won me a few fans over in America.” SHAUN WANE is ready to ask any of his in-form Wigan players for advice – and then reject it if he wants to!

Ahead of the new Super League season, the Warriors coach has set up a new leadership group that will include any player in red-hot form.

And he is not bothered if that means it is one of the kids he consults on his team selection.

Wane (right) said: “If a player is killing it then he will come into my office and I will ask his opinion on who I am picking and not picking.

“I will tell them what I am thinking of doing and if they do not agree, I will still do it.”

JULIE STOTT