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’.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
From a British perspective the upcoming WBSS showdown between George Groves and Chris Eubank Junior has Fight of the Year potential all over it. On it’s own, the WBA/IBO super-middleweight unification clash would be a big deal, a great Grudge-Match; but as part of the quite superb tournament it is even more so.
Simon Vallily has insisted that “Christmas is cancelled” as he focuses on his English title shot on the undercard of George Groves’ massive World Boxing Super Series clash against Chris Eubank Jr.
Sauerland Promotions have confirmed that MTK Global-managed cruiserweight Vallily will clash with defending English champion Arfan Iqbal on February 17 on a huge night for world boxing when Groves and Eubank meet in the WBSS super-middleweight semi-final at the Manchester Arena.
With the (apparent) retirement of superstar Floyd Mayweather Junior – “apparent” because there are still some suggestions that say the 40 year old will indeed box again – Floyd himself denying any such notions; for now at least – who is the current biggest star in US boxing? The probable answer is Canelo Alvarez; the Mexican hero being hugely popular in many countries other than his own, America included.