TONY Jeffries is hoping to secure a high-profile showdown with new British and Commonwealth super-middleweight champion George Groves.
Groves recorded the biggest success of his career on Saturday evening when he out-pointed Olympic gold medallist James DeGale in London's O2 Arena.
DeGale is hoping to arrange a rematch, but Groves' trainer, Adam Booth, has hinted his fighter would prefer to look elsewhere, and Sunderland-born Jeffries is hoping to secure what would be the biggest fight of his professional career.
"I mentioned the fight to Adam a couple of months ago," said Jeffries' promoter, Frank Maloney. "When the DeGale fight was in the balance, I mentioned a Commonwealth title defence against Tony at the Stadium of Light.
"He said the DeGale fight was likely to take place, but a fight against Tony is something they would consider afterwards if he won.
"I am now throwing down the challenge and hopefully we can sit down and see if we can come up with a package."
Jeffries, a bronze medallist at the Beijing Olympics, is unbeaten in eight fights since leaving the amateur ranks, but has been sidelined since last winter following an eye operation.
He is currently training under Tommy Brooks in California, with Maloney lining up a July fight in Florida before a possible date with Groves.
"Adam worked out a good strategy for George and the tactics (on Saturday) were spot on," said the promoter. "But from what I saw it was a high-quality amateur fight, and I do believe Tony would beat George even though few will believe me.
"Tommy Brooks is amazed at Tony's sudden development and we would take the fight in a heartbeat, but it is all down to what route George wants to go."
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