George Groves was victorious in his heated grudge match at the Manchester Arena tonight, beating Chris Eubank Jr via Unanimous Decision to retain the WBA Super Middleweight title and advance to the WBSS Finals. Scorecards came in at 117-112, 116-112 and 115-113, while BB had the action tallied at 117-111. Groves improves to 28 wins, 3 defeats, 20 knockouts, while Eubank reduces to 26 wins, 2 defeats, 20 knockouts.
Just as Groves had stated prior the first bell, this was indeed a matchup of levels, with fundamentals, such as ring generalship and distance control, being a big, deciding factor. Eubank came to fight as expected, but was made to look a lot more ordinary than we’re used to seeing as he followed a circling Groves around the ring, often falling short with punches. To add to the learning curve, Eubank also had to fight with a nasty cut over his right eye following an accidental head clash in the 3rd.
As the fight wore on into the second half, Eubank began to employ more pressure, pushing Groves back into the ropes and unloading with uppercuts and furious combination attacks, chasing a knockout. But Groves seemed well prepared, sharp enough to roll and evade the heavy assaults, and strong enough to hold and spin himself back to center ring where he would regain control.
The final few rounds had echoes of Eubank’s ill-fated meeting with Billy Joe Saunders back in 2014, with Eubank becoming desperate and storming his opponent. But once again it proved to be too little too late, with Groves – despite suffering what appeared to be a dislocated left shoulder in the 12th – managing to fight one-handed and grit matters out to hear the final bell.
So, with the pair’s grudge match finally settled, we now look to the immediate future of the WBSS. For Groves, it seems like he’s destined to collide with fellow countryman Callum Smith in the tournament’s Final. Smith must first get by Juergen Braehmer, a capable yet aging veteran, in his own pivotal Semi next weekend. But, you know, I think we can safely assume that Smith shouldn’t face too many problems in that fight.
Short of an upset shifting the story, we should be looking at another all-British clash somewhere around the June/July mark of 2018. Groves and Smith will duel for the WBSS’ Muhammid Ali trophy, plus undisputed bragging rights as the world’s number one Super Middleweight. Following that, we can expect – well, hope as fight fans do – for the winner to receive challenges from David Benavidez, Gilberto Ramirez and Caleb Truax, who hold the WBC, WBO and IBF titles respectively.
Chime in with your own thoughts on George Groves’s victory, his chances against Smith in the WBSS Final, plus where Eubank Jr goes from here.
