THIS weekend, George Groves makes his fourth – and perhaps final – attempt at a world title when he fights Fedor Chudinov for the vacant WBA super-middleweight title at Bramall Lane in Sheffield.
Groves meets the former holder of the WBA crown as chief support to Kell Brook’s IBF welterweight title defence against Errol Spence.
The Russian has not fought since his controversial points loss to Felix Sturm in February of last year, and Groves intends to use arguably his best punch to control his foe on Saturday night.
“I have a good jab so I want to go out there and establish the jab against Chudinov by that you can control the distance you want to fight at to control the fight, the range,” he said.
“I don’t think Chudinov will try to fight me at long range, is he going to try to crowd me, every fighter tries to do that and apart from a couple I have managed to figure them all out.
“You want to establish yourself from the very first bell, I will punch long with him – no surprise there. He’s been dropped before he’s been buzzed before, so I am sure I can beat him.”
Having twice lost to Carl Froch before being outpointed by Badou Jack in 2015, Groves has admitted that this is likely to be his final shot at world honours.
It is viewed by some – such as old rival James DeGale – as Groves’ best chance of becoming world champion and for the first time he will be the A-side of the fight.
“I’m boxing in the UK and I’m pretty sure Eddie [Hearn, the promoter running Saturday’s show] is going to make me the home fighter. I’m looking forward to that. It will be the first time,” Groves continued.
“Chudinov is a good fighter but is he the weakest of the challenges? Would he beat Badou Jack or Carl Froch? I’m not sure.”
