GEORGE Groves has backed Luke Watkins to become a world champion “sooner rather than later.”

Watkins, who along with fellow Fitzpatrick’s Gym boxer Garvey Kelly, are managed by EBU WBC Silver middleweight belt holder Groves and were both watched by their boss on their way to wins at last weekend’s By Any Means Necessary show.

Luke ‘The Duke’ Watkins was particularly impressive on his way to a fifth round stoppage win against Istvan Kun, with his trainer Paddy Fitzpatrick and Groves suitably pleased with his performance.

Groves, who himself is on the trail of a world title shot, thinks his charge has the ability and charm to make it to the very top of the sport.

“(He can go) all the way,” said the 24year-old manager on his client’s potential. “I never limit on the potential of my career I want to be want to be world champion, I think Luke can go and do that, who knows?

“Cruiserweight has been a successful division in the UK. I certainly believe he’ll become a world champion sooner rather than later. We want to plough him on for that. He has the potential, he has the work ethic, all the ability and given the opportunity there’s no reason not to (think he can).

“He’s got one of the most exciting futures, I feel, in British boxing right now. He’s in a sexy weight division, he looks the part, he has an fascinating style that fighting fans will always want to see and he has tremendous punch power in both hands.

“He makes my job easy, first of all what promoter is not going to want him on his show, when he’s selling this many tickets and performing like that?”

Groves was vocal in offering technical support to Watkins whilst sat ringside during The Duke’s win over Kun. Speaking to Advertiser Immediately after the fight, Groves was clearly delighted with the manner of Watkins’ win.

“You don’t see guys switch hitting as comfortable as he is in his third pro fight,” he added.

“He was in total control against a guy he knew relatively nothing about, unbeaten so he was coming to win, young fresh and Luke controlled him from the get-go.

“The first time I’ve seen him with his home crowd and he was really at ease. You’d think if he was selling this many tickets and fighting in home town there would be pressure but he takes it all in his stride.”