By Miguel Assuncao

George Groves (24-3-0, and 18KOs) beats Eduard Gutknecht (30-4-1, 13KOs) by unanimous decision to inch closer to a fourth world title shot.

'Saint' George was dominant over the twelve rounds as he defended his WBA international super middleweight strap at the SSE Arena, Wembley. The judges scored the fight 119-110, 119-109, 119-109.

Groves is now expected to fight for the vacant WBA ‘super’ title in the new year, possibly against Fedor Chudinov.

Gutknecht - a two-weight world title challenger - was intent on making Groves work in the early rounds by continually closing the distance as the Londoner tried to establish his jab.

‘Energy Eddy’, 34, did pin Groves on the ropes in round three but was unable to get enough leverage on his shots as he struggled to match the Brit for speed and power.

The man from Hammersmith responded by hurting the challenger with two successive right hands in round four only Gutknecht to buy himself time by skipping across the ring out of range.

Groves then staggered Gutknecht with a straight right hand in round seven but 'Energy Eddy' lived up to his nickname by returning fire with a flush right hand of his own as Groves tried to capitalise.

The local man had the crowd on their feet when he had the German in trouble with another one-two combination in round nine only for the challenger to again bravely withstand the punishment.

With Gutknecht struggling to see out of his swollen right eye, Groves unloaded a series out wide hooks behind the guard in the championship rounds but was unable to find the telling blow to clinch the stoppage.

Groves' is now unbeaten in four contests under the tutelage of trainer Shane McGuigan after parting ways with Paddy Fitzpatrick following his world title defeat to Badou Jack.