KENNY Anderson’s rematch against George Groves is due to take place in London on March 3 after Frank Warren won the purse bid for the fight.

The Gisburn-based boxer came close to springing a major upset when he knocked down the highly-rated Groves in their first fight before later being stopped, having taken the bout at short notice.

But Anderson, who is trained by Kevin Maree at Stirk House, has now been made the mandatory challenger for the British super middleweight title, which Groves took from James DeGale last season.

The rematch between Anderson and Groves had gone to purse bids, with both fighters’ promoters competing for the right to stage the bout.

Anderson’s promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed yesterday that Warren, who represents Groves, had won the bid.

That means the fight is now due to be held in London on March 3.

Hearn had been attempted to take the fight to Anderson’s home city of Edinburgh.

“Personally I wanted the fight in Edinburgh,” said Maree. “But I spoke to Kenny before the purse bids were announced and he said he’d prefer it to be in London because he wanted to be booed going into the ring and to take the title away from the home fighter.

“A ring’s a ring, it could be in George Groves’ front room and it wouldn’t matter.

“It gives us six weeks to prepare now, the same time as George Groves, and we’re going to enjoy every moment of it.

“Kenny would feel confident against any super middleweight in Britain.”