Victorious George Groves to seek specialist advice on shoulder injury

GEORGE GROVES will see a specialist having dislocated his shoulder in the win over Chris Eubank Jr, but remains adamant he will feature in the World Boxing Super Series final.

Groves successfully defended his WBA world super middleweight title, while also taking Eubank Jrโ€™s IBO belt, on points at the Manchester Arena on Saturday.

The victor was tactically superior throughout the all-British bout, yet his shoulder popped out of its socket early in the last round, meaning Groves had to fend off a late Eubank Jr onslaught in their semi-final.

Groves went to hospital after the contest and there is concern that the damage could prevent him from participating in a final, against either Callum Smith or Jurgen Brahmer, that is scheduled for June 2.


โ€œThe shoulderโ€™s okay,โ€ Groves told iFL TV on Sunday. โ€œI hope it was clear that it popped out in the 12th round. It went a bit skew-whiff at that point. (It was) probably one of the most painful injuries Iโ€™ve had.

โ€œItโ€™s back in now. (I) had some x-rays, going to go and see a specialist either later today or tomorrow.

โ€œIโ€™m confident that hopefully itโ€™s not going to be something thatโ€™s a big problem.

โ€œI think itโ€™s only a really big problem if you damage the bone. The x-ray didnโ€™t show any of that. I canโ€™t hide the fact I got a dislocated shoulder, but hopefully Iโ€™ll be okay.โ€

Nevertheless, with the final pencilled in for a date less than four months away, the damage Groves sustained casts his availability into doubt.

Promoter Kalle Sauerland was reluctant to discuss a cut-off point if Groves is not ready by early June, even leaving the door ajar on Eubank Jr possibly replacing him, but Groves knows he is now the main attraction.

โ€œItโ€™s impossible to answer at the moment,โ€ Groves added of being able to fight in June.

โ€œJune 2 isnโ€™t that far away โ€“ in terms of a 12-week camp itโ€™s 14, 15 weeks away. We will seek advice from the specialists, find out how long itโ€™s going to take before I can get back punching.


โ€œIt doesnโ€™t take me long to get fit, Iโ€™m sharp, this tournament has kept me focused. I broke my jaw in May and was boxing in October.

โ€œI always heal quick. Iโ€™ve been a good healer. I live a good, clean life, I think that helps.

โ€œIโ€™m the WBA champion, the number-one seed, Iโ€™ve just been involved in a massive, massive pay-per-view event for the World Boxing Super Series. It wouldnโ€™t be the same if I wasnโ€™t in the final so if they have to move the dates for it, so be it.

โ€œKalle Sauerland will be desperate to have me in the final, as will everyone else in the World Boxing Super Series, why would they not? Who else are they going to replace me with?

โ€œWeโ€™ll make it happen but Iโ€™ve got to be fully fit to box, whenever that time comes around.

โ€œI donโ€™t think these dates are set in stone. Weโ€™ve got the whole summer to get this over the line.

โ€œWeโ€™ve got the next semi-final next weekend. People want to know who Iโ€™m fighting next, not who is going to make up a sub in the final, I guarantee you.

โ€œIโ€™ll be in the final, I just canโ€™t guarantee the date yet.โ€

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