Undefeated George 'The Saint' Groves eased to a comfortable second round stoppage win in Germany on Saturday night.

Fighting on the undercard of WBO super-middleweight world champion Arthur Abraham's rematch with former champion Robert Stieglitz in Germany, Groves dominated from the off to record his second quickfire win in the last two weeks.

The Saint controlled the opening session with his jab before finishing the round with a barrage of hurtful shots to the body that clearly troubled Syrian opponent Baker Barakat. And it wasn't long into the second round before Groves had his man down, the referee rightly stepping in to end the contest and award Groves his 18th career win and 14th KO.

Talking after the fight, Groves admitted to being pleased to be fighting regularly:

"I just need to keep busy," Groves said.

"The guy wasn't at the level that I'm used to but I put in a solid performance. I got some good stuff from the time I spent in the ring.

"I want the winner (of Abraham-Stieglitz). I was supposed to fight Stieglitz but had to pull out through injury."

As WBO No.1 Contender Groves should get that fight sooner rather than later, possibly even at his own headline show in September, but first he turns his attentions to a big fight on the undercard of the huge Froch v Kessler fight at the O2 on May 25th. Groves will provide chief support on the night and is expected to be in a tough match.

"We can't name anything yet. Within the next few weeks we'll see what's available. It has to be a big fight, I need a big fight.

"If we can get a title or an eliminator for a title that's what we'll hope for. At worst it will be a significant fight against a ranked opponent that will bring me on."

Undefeated George 'The Saint' Groves will fight THIS Saturday, on the undercard of Abraham v Stieglitz in Germany.

The Saint will take on Germany's Baker Barakat (37-13-4, 25 KOs) in an eight-rounder that sees him fight for the second time in two weeks after his three round demolition job on Argentinian Dario German Balmaceda at Wembley a fortnight ago. Groves is already scheduled to fight as chief support on  the undercard of the huge Froch v Kessler fight at the O2 on May 25th and again in September headlining his own show, making an exciting schedule of four fights in six months for the Saint.

"He hasn't fought anywhere near enough in the last few years and myself and Adam wanted him out again before May 25", said Groves' new Promoter Eddie Hearn.

"It's just a little eight-rounder and nice bit of PR as he is WBO No. 1 (contender)."

Indeed, the fight takes place on the undercard of WBO Super-middleweight World Champion Arthur Abraham's rematch with former champion Robert Stieglitz, giving Groves the perfect opportunity to showcase his talents in front of the German fans ahead of a potential clash with the winner later in the year. Groves admitted to being delighted with the opportunity.

"I want to thank Sauerland for putting me on their undercard", said Groves.

"This helps to keep me busy at a time when I want to be. Two fights in two weeks is perfect with the training I've done this year.

"It's also great to be on the Abraham-Stiegltiz card. I hope this brings me one step closer to facing the winner and securing a world title shot."

Undefeated George 'The Saint' Groves returned to action in explosive style on Saturday night with a 3rd round KO victory.

Making his debut under new promotional banner Matcroom Boxing, the Saint wasted little time impressing the Wembley crowd, dropping Argentinian Dario German Balmaceda twice en route to a third round stoppage victory that takes his impressive slate to 17-0 (13KO's). 

Groves set about his task right from the outset, walking his man down and looking to land hurtful shots. Having dominated the opening round, the Saint eventually dropped the Argentinian with a thunderous right to the body towards the end of the second. Balmaceda survived, largely thanks to the bell, but it wasn't long into the third before Groves nailed his opponent again, landing to the body then to the head to drop Balmaceda for a second time with a short right hand to finish the fight. 

Groves told Sky Sports: "Having a late sub opponent, I knew he was going to be tricky because he was a name I wasn't familiar with, so I had to come out and be on form.

"I think I came out and did what (trainer) Adam (Booth) asked me. He will criticise me later but I thought it was a pretty good performance.

"I think I have got a world class jab, one of the best in the business and once I use that jab correctly, no one can live with me because I just dictate the fight from there. It is about finding that next step really."

That next step is likely to come on the undercard of the huge Froch v Kessler fight at the O2 on May 25. Groves will provide chief support on the night and is expected to be in a tough match.

"We can't name anything yet. Within the next few weeks we'll see what's available. It has to be a big fight, I need a big fight.

"If we can get a title or an eliminator for a title that's what we'll hope for. At worst it will be a significant fight against a ranked opponent that will bring me on."

The Saint will be hoping to make a big impression as he sets his sights on a world title, potentially against fellow Brit Carl Froch, the reigning IBF champion.

"Carl's a great fighter, we sparred together over the years but we're rivals now," said Groves.

"There's a possibility a fight could happen sooner rather than later.

"If I can get a few fights [before then] that would be great. It would be awesome if I could win my own title and we could have a unification clash.

"I don't think I'll be sparring with Carl now as we're rivals. I want Carl to beat Kessler. As a Brit I want him to win, and as a friend."

The Saint will now box THIS SATURDAY, March 9th at Wembley Arena, live on Sky Sports, having had to withdraw from his scheduled bout for the European title.

Eddie Hearn announced an exciting three fight plan for his new signing, which will see Groves box as Chief Support to Froch v Kessler at the O2 Arena on May 25th before headlining his own show in London in September. Groves admitted to being excited about the future:

"I am really excited. It is a great move for me. I am excited about boxing this Saturday", said Groves.

"It's great to be boxing in London and Wembley is a great arena to box in so I'm really excited about getting in there on Saturday. I've had three fights in 18 months which is not ideal so it will be great for me to get out regularly.

"I'm healthy, I'm training hard and Eddie has promised to keep me busy so everything is looking good and I'm raring to get back into action.

"I have to admit it was hard for me to walk away from a fight for the European title which is very prestigious and which I would like to win. I feel sorry for my fans who have bought tickets to see me do that.

"But with Matchroom there is a plan which should take me to a world title bid. I'm at that level now where I'm knocking on the door for world titles and working with Matchroom and being on Sky Sports should help me get closer to that dream.

"I'm ranked No 1 with the WBO and [Arthur] Abraham v [Robert] Stieglitz fight for that in a few weeks so I'll be keeping a keen eye on that and I'll have just as close an eye on the Froch v Kessler fight as I really believe I could get a crack at the winner and I think Eddie knows I want that fight so it ties in nicely."

Hearn added: “I am delighted to welcome George to the Matchroom stable. He’s a tremendous talent and a real star in the super middleweight division – not just in the future but today. His debut for us on Saturday is a great addition to an already top class bill, and he’ll play a huge part in the Froch vs. Kessler night on May 25.”

Tickets for Betfair’s ‘London’s Finest’ are on sale now priced £20, £30, £40, £60 and £80 from the Wembley Arena box office on 0844 815 0815 and www.wembleyarena.co.uk. VIP tickets priced £150 are available through Matchroom Boxing on 01277 359900 and at www.matchroomboxing.com