Former WBA super-middleweight champion George Groves has identified one boxing icon whom he believes he would have dominated and ‘bashed up’, revealing extreme confidence in what would undeniably have been the biggest name of the Brit’s résumé.
Groves seemed like he would go down as a ‘nearly man’ after three unsuccessful world title challenges, but the Londoner final achieved world honours when he knocked out Fedor Chudinov at Bramall Lane in 2017 on the Kell Brook vs. Errol Spence Jr card.
‘Saint’ George would make two defences of his crown, both coming in the World Boxing Super Series – a stoppage win against Jamie Cox in the quarter-finals before outpointing Chris Eubank Jr. in the semis.
However, Callum Smith proved to be Groves’ undoing in the finale, claiming his WBA title and prompting the decision to retire.
In an interview with Betway, Groves reflected on his career and admitted his belief that he could have ‘bashed up’ the formidable middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin, who failed in his only attempt at 168lb gold.
“Martin Murray said after our fight that I hit harder than Golovkin. That was a feather in my cap. If I would have ever had the chance to fight GGG I would have had to have had my wits about me, you would have to stop him stalking you.
“He was great at making small adjustments to get into range, then he’d detonate on you. It would be a mental battle where you can’t switch off for a second, but I’d have bashed him up. I’d have kept it long and busted him up.”
Groves has previously discussed how he felt to spar Golovkin in the past, with ‘Triple G’ reportedly cracking Groves’ rib.