George Groves: Defends the Commonwealth title against veteran Glen Johnson

Johnson, 43, fought at championship level for much the last decade but lost his last three fights, including to Carl Froch and Lucien Bute.

However, after losing a 10-rounder to American-based Pole Andrzej Fonfara in July Johnson decided to 'hang 'em up' with a 51-17-2 record, admitting: "If I can't do it the right way and the way I should be able to, I'm not going to do it anymore."

But the notably durable Jamaican should still provide a good test for Groves, who has suffered a frustrating 12 months with a series of injury setbacks.

The Londoner was stripped of the British super-middleweight title after running out of time to make a mandatory defence against Kenny Anderson, whom he got off the floor to beat for the Commonwealth title in 2010.

Groves famously edged James DeGale last year but has fought just once since making his sole defence of the British crown against Paul Smith, stopping journeyman Francisco Sierra in America in July.

The Commonwealth title will be on the line in the match-up with Johnson, with the fight taking place at the ExCel Arena on the same bill as Ricky Burns' return to action.

"Johnson is a good opponent who has been about and is a name," said Groves. "It's an early Christmas present for me and I can't wait.

"A good performance against him will definitely make people sit up and take notice of me. Then I'll be knocking on the door of a world title."