NOE GONZALEZ ALCOBA (above right) says there will be no repeat of the mistake he made against George Groves when he tackles Rocky Fielding in a super-middleweight 12-rounder at the Echo Arena in Liverpool on July 12.
The Argentina-based Uruguayan travelled to London in May 2013 to face Groves on the undercard of Carl Froch’s clash with Mikkel Kessler at The O2, and walked onto a stiff short right-hand from the Hammersmith star in the fifth round that ended the fight.
Groves went on to face Froch in two memorable encounters in the UK after his win over Gonzalez and the 35-year-old says that this time around he will be the one ready to step into major fights after beating Fielding.
“I made a mistake against Groves and I realised that so I never thought about walking away from the sport,” he said. “I decided to carry on boxing. I waited for something and they called me from England for this fight. I never stopped training over the past year.
“I’ve seen Fielding and I think he’s a good boxer, he’s unbeaten so this is another opportunity for me to show people in England that I can do more. I don’t want to waste this chance because there could be even more important fights down the line.
“I’m going to go there to win by any means, if it’s by knockout then so much the better but if not, by points. I’m going to his hometown and the way to win has to be convincing.
“I was treated very well the last time I was there. In fact, it’s the best experience I’ve had fighting away. They took me everywhere and treated me well. I’m proud to go back and I don’t to waste this chance or show anyone a lack of respect. I need to look good in Liverpool.
“Groves is better than Fielding for sure, he’s at the top level, that’s why he was able to do well against Froch. Fielding will look at me as a stepping stone to better things but I am not coming over to get beaten, I know I can stop him on his home patch.
“I believe in myself, I’m training hard for this and on July 12 I’m going to show the English public what I can do.”
