Eduard Gutknecht undergoes surgery after defeat to George Groves

The 34-year-old Kazakh-born German fighter was stretchered out of Wembley's SSE Arena

Gutknecht's face was badly swollen and bruised following his defeat (Andrew Couldridge)

Eduard Gutknecht has undergone surgery in hospital after falling ill following his defeat to George Groves at Wembley's SSE Arena on Friday.

The 34-year-old super-middleweight fell in his dressing room and was carried out of the venue on a stretcher before being transferred to hospital.

According to the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC), Gutknecht is currently sedated and will to be monitored by doctors over the coming days.

Groves sucessfully defended his WBA International super-middleweight title and should earn himself a shot at the vacant WBA super-middleweight title next year with the one-side victory, which saw Gutknecht take significant punishment.

A cut opened around the Kazakh-born German's swollen left eye in the ninth round, diminishing his ability to defend himself, but Gutknecht remained competitive until the final bell.

Groves was eventually declared a 119-109, 119-109 and 119-110 winner on the three judges' scorecards, but attentions turned to Gutknecht's condition shortly after the news broke of his deterioration.

Groves said he was "deeply concerned" for the welfare of his opponent and did not discuss his performance at the post-fight press conference.

Groves celebrates his victory, before Gutknecht's condition deteriorated (PA)

"Out of respect to Eduard Gutknecht and his family's privacy, I don't want to say too much but we are all deeply concerned to hear that he was taken to hospital after the fight last night," he said.

"I sincerely hope it is nothing too serious and I would like to send out all my support and best wishes to him and his family at this difficult time."

At the same venue in March, English middleweight Nick Blackwell collapsed at the end of his stoppage defeat by Chris Eubank Jnr. He suffered bleeding on his skull and was treated at St Mary's hospital in Paddington where he eventually recovered, despite having to retire.

More recently in September, Scottish welterweight Mike Towell died just 25 hours after losing to Dale Evans in Glasgow. He had suffered severe bleeding and swelling to his brain.

Additional reporting by PA