Chris Eubank Jr tried hard to get under George Groves’ skin during the final press conference of their upcoming World Boxing Super Series semi-final clash. The IBO World super middleweight champion mocked Groves for lack of speed and talent but also made statements about ‘The Saint’ not performing well against big names.
Groves did not bite and casually responded by saying that as an opponent and as a fight, Saturday’s event is not up there with his previous big fights. After sharing the ring with the likes of Carl Froch, James DeGale and Badou Jack, Groves isn’t fazed by the semi-final.
“50-50 fight this is being build as and he is even the bookies favourite but he’s not the favourite in this fight. I have been in big fights where I have been the B-side and really had to strive to get any sort of recognition.
“I’ve been there with far superior fighters than Chris Eubank Jr and he asked me to name them and I did. I named half a dozen of better fighters than he is,” Groves told Boxing Social.
The WBA World super middleweight champion believes his experience alongside with the help of trainer Shane McGuigan put him in a very confident state of mind in order to retain and advance to the final stage of the WBSS tournament.
Some shots today from the public workout. #TeamSaintGG#GrovesEubankJr
Photo credit to @DickiePelhampic.twitter.com/rLrhhppfp6— George Groves (@StGeorgeGroves) February 13, 2018
“The fact of the matter is I am a better than I was before all them fights for the experienced I’ve gained and the form I’m in. Now I work with a trainer that I feel gets the very best out of me and gives me the right instructions on fight night which is an advantage I’ve never had before.
“As well as natural size, pedigree and experience, all those things put me in a not just a confident frame of mind but in a pole position to retain my title,” explained Groves.
An early stoppage win will satisfy Groves the most and he promises to knock out Eubank Jr should the IBO champion ‘meet fire with fire.’
“A knockout win. I believe it will happen if I’ll perform as well as I can. If Eubank performs the way I believe he will he’ll go and he’ll go early. If he wants to be cute, if he wants to showboat, doesn’t want to engage then it will take a little longer but if he wants to meet fire with fire I will put him away early,” he concluded.
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