GEORGE GROVES and Callum Smith both made weight for Friday’s World Boxing Super Series final at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Both are big super-middleweights, but there were no errors the night before their fight. Groves came in at 167¾lbs and will defend his WBA world title.
Smith is even taller than Groves and yet, with a faint smile on his way to the scales, he weighed in at 167¼lbs. He looked in excellent shape. “I’m in very, very good condition,” he confirmed. “I feel good, I feel strong.”
They shared a tense staredown, with Smith unwilling to look away. Groves is utterly determined, having recovered from a dislocated shoulder to recapture his fighting shape. “The most prestigious fight I’ve ever been involved in,” he said of this bout for the Muhammad Ali trophy. “A must-win for me. An absolute must-win.”
“I think I’m a better fighter,” he added, but said, “Experience is going to count for a lot as well. It’s a massive advantage I have.”
Smith however maintained, “He looks like an old man.”
“There’s a lot of miles there. I just think I’m the younger, fresher, better man. I’m here to take his title,” he continued.
“I’m here to do a job and that’s to become world champion.”
