According to several reports, George Groves has been medically cleared to participate in the World Boxing Super Series final against Callum Smith.
The WBA World super middleweight champion sustained a shoulder injury from his semi-final bout against Chris Eubank Jr in January and the original final date against Smith was postponed.
There was talk about Eubank Jr potentially replacing Groves in the Muhammad Ali Trophy clash but that is no longer the case.
The expected match between super middleweight world titleholder George Groves (28-3, 20 KOs) and Callum Smith (24-0, 17 KOs) in the final of the eight-man World Boxing Super Series tournament will go ahead, but it wonβt take place until later this… https://t.co/Q32RUlJsJC
— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) May 29, 2018
π¨ Multiple reports circulating this morning that GEORGE GROVES has been declared fit and WILL face Callum Smith in the World Boxing Super Series final π
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) May 29, 2018
BIG NEWS! RT PLEASE! GEORGE GROVES HAS PASSED A MEDICAL AND WILL FIGHT CALLUM SMITH IN THE WBSS FINAL! π₯π
— Boxing Kingdom (@BoxingKingdom14) May 28, 2018
Mike Coppinger of THE RING magazine writes:
“Chris Eubank Jr. was considered as a replacement for Groves, but a source told THE RING on Monday that both Groves and Smith are now medically cleared and the final is a go. Groves and Smith will meet in late summer or early fall, but the date and location are still being finalized.”
Groves made his way to the final by stopping Jamie Cox in quarter-finals and outscoring Eubank Jr unanimously in his last fight.
WBC Diamond super middleweight champion Smith notched unanimous decision wins over Erik Skoglund and late replacement Nieky Holzken to earn his shot for the Muhammad Ali Trophy.