We were treated to a very interesting and entertaining week in the boxing word. Exciting fights, surprise upsets and questionable judging. We had it all. Here are a few quick points I took away from the past few days.
Devon Alexander is back.
Chris Eubank Jr
The Eubank-Hamed story: A tale of rivalry and jealousy
Long since retired former British superstar Naseem Hamed made quite the memorable pundit as a guest commentator on ITV Box Office this past Saturday night. Working the George Groves-Chris Eubank Junior WBSS semifinal, Hamed, as overweight as we have grown accustomed to seeing him these days, really did put the boot in in brutally assessing points loser Eubank Jr.
What next for George Groves, Chris Eubank Jr?
So, was Chris Eubank Junior mostly hype all along? To paraphrase Eubank Jr. himself, maybe. This is the answer Eubank Jr. gave last night when asked if he’d underestimated his conqueror George Groves. Groves, as he had predicted months ahead of time, was too big, too strong, too experienced and too good for his vocal challenger.
George Groves defeats Chris Eubank Jr. – Results
George Groves retained his WBA World title and earned a unanimous points verdict to move into the final of the inaugural super middleweight edition of the World Boxing Super Series.
The judges scored it 117-112, 116-112 and 115-113 all in favor ‘The Saint’.
Results: Groves schools Eubank Jr.
In a one-sided fight, WBA Super World super middleweight champion George Groves (28-3, 20 KOs) totally out-boxed a very limited challenger Chris Eubank Jr. (26-2, 20 KOs) in beating him by a one-sided 12 round unanimous decision in the semifinals of the World Boxing Super Series on Saturday night at the Manchester, England.
Chris Eubank Jnr says he’s “willing to die in the ring to win,” says George Groves “is not”
There really does seem to be some genuine bad blood in the air as we approach tonight’s big (very big in the UK; tonight’s fight having genuine crossover appeal, with people in the street talking about Groves and Eubank) super-middleweight showdown between George Groves and Chris Eubank Junior.
Groves and Eubank Jr. Top Marquee in Manchester
This Saturday night, live from the Manchester Arena George Groves meets Chris Eubank Jr. in a highly-anticipated bout. Will athleticism and work rate do the trick for Eubank Jr.? Or will experience and skill secure a victory for Groves?
The World Boxing Super Series has provided a much needed boost to the early months of the boxing year. Usually it takes a while for the sport to build steam into the spring and summer months. Not the case thanks to back to back WBSS weekends featuring entertaining and competitive fights in Usyk/Briedis and Gassiev/Dorticos.
Groves beats Eubank Jr. predicts Callum Smith
Callum Smith’s prediction: Groves on points after a few rocky moments
Callum Smith believes he will face George Groves in the final for the Muhammad Ali Trophy.
“Groves-Eubank is a good fight, a very good one. The winner will become an even bigger name after the weekend,” said Smith.
Groves and Eubank Jr. quotes for Saturday
WBA Super Champion George Groves (27-3, 20 KOs) and IBO World Champion Chris Eubank Jr. (26-1, 20 KOs) exchanged words for at last time before their Ali Trophy semi-final clash on Saturday at the Manchester Arena.
“I have been involved in big fights before and I’ve learned a lot along the way,” said Groves. “This is a tremendous fight but it’s not my biggest fight to date. But I am in the form of my life, certainly I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in through my career. I’m fully prepared to go out there and retain my world title in style.”
Groves vs Eubank, Garcia, Rios, Beltran, Ortiz and others all in action – Big weekend of boxing heading our way!
Fight fans will be spoilt for choice when it comes to the big fights they tune in to see this coming weekend. There will be a number of world title fights fought, as well as one incredibly intriguing, tough to pick WBSS semifinal. The action will get underway on Friday night (Feb. 16) as Raymundo Beltran and Paulus Moses will go at it for the vacant WBO lightweight title – in Reno, Nevada, to go out on ESPN.