Carl Froch's brutal battle with George Groves – in pictures

George Groves walks to the ring to a chorus of boos. The Hammersmith-born fighter has a record of 19-0 coming into this all-British match-up Photograph: Tom Jenkins

The World Super-middleweight title holder, Carl Froch, enters with a stern-looking expression. The 36-year-old has promised to "annihilate" Groves Photograph: Tom Jenkins

But Froch tumbles to the canvas at the end of the first round after a stinging left-right combination from Groves Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Action Images

Froch looks groggy Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Froch and Groves go toe-to-toe Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Froch clips his opponent with a left-hander
Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Froch is caught by Groves Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Groves is certainly edging this one on points Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Froch works his opponent on the ropes
Photograph: Tom Jenkins

An exhausted looking Groves is attended to in his corner before the ninth round Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Froch launches a huge assault on Groves in the ninth Photograph: Tom Jenkins

The referee controversially stops the fight as Groves, who is failing to defend himself, turns his back on his opponent Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Froch raises his arms in delight - he would have been lucky to win this without that stoppage Photograph: Tom Jenkins

His team don't care
Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Groves is aggrieved at such an early stoppage - he feels he could have carried on Photograph: Tom Jenkins

In the end, the two patch up some of their differences. Nonetheless, Groves is shattered by the defeat Photograph: Tom Jenkins