George Groves's trainer Paddy Fitzpatrick has revealed that he is prepared to seek legal action in pursuit of a full investigation into the officiating during last night's super-middleweight showdown with Carl Froch in Manchester.

Froch earned a controversial stoppage victory over Groves despite taking considerable punishment throughout the fight, including being dropped to the canvas for only the second time in his career in the opening round.

Groves had his world-title challenge halted by referee Howard Foster in the ninth round after coming under pressure, a decision that Fitzpatrick believes must be probed further and not swept under the carpet.

He told Sky Sports News: "Overall I feel the finish was unfair and unjust. Both of the men fought like warriors. I think Carl Froch let himself down directly afterwards with the way he conducted himself. That's a separate matter.

"The referee has interfered in two men earning their living. I think everyone agrees he does [stop the fight early]. I haven't seen the replay so I'll have to save my definitive answer until then, but on the night I thought so and especially because of the reason he gave me, he said he got hurt.

"I'm an extremely stubborn man, anyone who knows me will know that. So if costs me my money or I've got to get more money something has to be done about that, because you can't have referees conducting themselves in people's lives like that unprofessionally."

Public calls for a rematch between the British rivals have been echoed by Groves, while Froch has insisted that a return bout is out of his hands.