Unbeaten super middleweight George Groves edged nearer a crack at the world title challenge when he scored a third round stoppage over Argentine Dario Balmaceda at Wembley arena in London on Saturday.

Groves 17-0-(13), decked his opponent with a right hand to the ribs and told told Sky Sports afterwards: "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.

  On the same card Lee Purdy claimed a ninth-round stoppage win over late replacement Cosme Rivera.

Rivera was always behind on the scorecards and was eventually pulled out by the ringside doctor after suffering a cut over his left eye.

Purdy took his record to 20-3-1.