I THOUGHT George Groves looked ordinary at the weekend, although he got his win.
The opposition, Christopher Rebrasse, the European super-middleweight champion, didn’t seem to have the determination to keep hold of his belt and was relieved of it on points. As for George fighting Carl Froch again, and on this showing he should go back to the drawing board. Saying that, I think Groves III would be a tougher assignment for Froch than James De Gale, although it would be a close run thing for the award of worst insults in the build-up.
Paul Smith against Arthur Abraham in Germany for Arthur’s WBO super-middleweight title looks tasty, both can box, both can fight, and both know how to stretch the rules. I expect it to need a strong third man and even though it is in Germany I would give Paul at least an even chance of coming home the world champion.
A forthcoming show to get the pulses racing, is Frank Warren’s big bill at the ExCel Arena in London, with the heavyweight punch-up between Derek Chisora and Tyson Fury topping a very good card. The public opinion seem to be split on the headlining bout. I’m also looking forward to the vacant British super-featherweight title between Liam Walsh and Gary Sykes. At the moment I am swaying towards Walsh, but it’s that kind of fight and super-featherweight is one of my favourite classes, as we seem to get a lot better scraps in around that division. I think that’s why the bigger weights get more publicity, as really good fights at the heavier weights are few and far between, whereas at the lighter weights it is expected of them.
Mind you, the matchup between Chris Eubank Jnr and Billy Joe Saunders is another fight to get the pulses revving up as both of them need this fight to show how far they’ve come, and how far they can possibly go. Whoever is the winner, it will be close, and I expect it to be exciting with the possibility of a trilogy between the pair. Both fighters are unbeaten and very talented, so it will not be the end of the world for the loser – I think too much importance is attached to an unbeaten tag. It should be a case of brushing yourself down, taking stock and learning from it, that is the traits of a real champion, the one that has the determination to succeed even after a setback. Anyone can string a few wins together (except me), but it’s what you do with your career afterwards that is a measure of your ability.
Roll on November 29 for an early Christmas present from Mr Frank Warren.
