ON February 17 George Groves will return to the Manchester Arena. The last time he was there, Groves staged one of the most thrilling world title fights in recent years when he took on Carl Froch for the first time. Groves returns in good form, equipped with the WBA super-middleweight world title, taking on another high profile British rival in Chris Eubank Jr.
โI disliked Froch and I donโt care about Junior. Thatโs probably the difference. I took exception to people thinking that I was going to get knocked out by Carl Froch, I didnโt understand it,โ Groves said.
โI was in a different frame of mind. I fell out with Adam Booth and other members of that team. I was going through a legal case where I felt that people were trying to steal my money that Iโd worked so hard for and stuff like that. So I wasnโt in a peaceful frame of mind. Now Iโm at peace. I donโt care about Junior. Iโm not looking at him as an easy fight but he is a stepping stone. Iโm world champion now.โ
โI am the best in the division,โ he added. โI still feel I havenโt really achieved my full potential. Thereโs a lot more to come from me. Fortunately Iโm in this tournament [the World Boxing Super Series] where I can display that and even after that, thereโs good options for me. Iโve been there and almost lost it all and had to rebuild several times, which is awful. Iโm not going to be able to do that again. I donโt want to do that again. Every fight now could be my last fight. Thatโs not a problem, because Iโm good enough to beat everyone in the division.โ
Groves is convinced the hype around Eubank Junior has vastly outstripped his abilities. โEubank looks good if heโs on the bag. He can punch hard and fast from his ankles, when heโs whacking something that donโt actually move. But if heโs going to get in with a fighter that has a knowing eye, that understands distance control, who can dictate the pace of the fight, he needs to work on the jab first and foremost,โ Groves reasoned. โWeโre all guilty of picking the opponents that make us look good. Heโs done it to such an extent and unfortunately for him the profile has way outweighed the level of competition heโs been in with.โ
The champion has publicly questioned Eubankโs training set up and the influence of his trainer Ronnie Davies and Juniorโs father, Chris Eubank himself. โIโve been there when Iโve switched off from a boxing coach. [Paddy] Fitzpatrick, I thought you are away with the fairies my friend. I canโt listen to you anymore. I canโt run the risk of trying to find a new trainer. Iโve got a world title fight looming โฆ otherwise Iโd have had to made a change. It took me a long time, a few losses to come to terms with this isnโt working and I donโt want to do it by myself,โ Groves said. โAfter this fight, when he gets beaten and beaten badly, howโs he going to cope with that?
โIf youโre a fighter and youโre given a date you peak for that fight. Youโre taught that the very first day you go in the gym. Ronnie Davies, if heโs knew it, heโs forgotten it. The dad he must have forgotten it because I knew he used to cut weight. The son is fighting in a division that he doesnโt belong in because heโs run out of ideas. This might be reason why later on he can say Iโm going back down to middleweight.โ
Groves noted, โMy distance control is fantastic, my reach is longer than people give credit to, my jabโs a lot faster than it used to be. These are all things that are going to cause Junior nightmares.โ