George Groves: Never Write Him Off

George Groves: Never Write Him Off

Later this month in the unlikely setting of Saudi Arabia George Groves and Callum Smith finally meet in the super middleweight final of the World Boxing Super Series.

We are several months removed from the original planned date in June, the injury to Groves’s left shoulder has resulted in the delay and throws another little side story into an already fascinating fight.

I have to admit I have not always been a fan of Groves especially around the two fights with Carl Froch. I found some of his pre fights antics not to my personal taste. But that said Groves was excellent in the 1st fight with Froch, and I felt he was coming on in the return until Froch detonated the final punch of his fabulous career.

Groves was a shade unlucky not to get the decision over Badou Jack but finally got the world title at his 4th attempt with the hard fought win over Fedor Chudinov.

The Groves of today seems more mature and dare I say a more likable character as a result, and you can’t help but admire his never give up attitude.

Without the shoulder injury I would be favouring Groves over Smith, but the injury he suffered in the final round of his fight with Chris Eubank Jr adds doubt.

Nobody, Groves included knows for certain how much the injury will play a part in the outcome, is it really fully recovered. The likes of James DeGale and Carl Thompson have also suffered shoulder injuries and will testify the recovery process can be longer than expected.

The fight now becomes too close to call and there is no doubt Smith’s chances have now improved, but Groves has been written off before, and it would be foolish to do so again.