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 Jrโs 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.
A huge thank you to all the boxing fans who had the Manchester arena rocking last night. I had a great time! Huge thank you to @McGuigans_Gym and the rest of my fantastic team. A medical update on the shoulder coming soon! pic.twitter.com/6BjglEVDFc
โ George Groves (@StGeorgeGroves) February 18, 2018
โThe shoulderโs okay,โ Groves told iFL TV on Sunday. โI 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 Iโve had.
โItโs back in now. (I) had some x-rays, going to go and see a specialist either later today or tomorrow.
โIโm confident that hopefully itโs not going to be something thatโs a big problem.
โI think itโs only a really big problem if you damage the bone. The x-ray didnโt show any of that. I canโt hide the fact I got a dislocated shoulder, but hopefully Iโll be okay.โ
Was a hell of fight & Iโll be back in the ring asap. Congratulations to Groves #NEXTGEN pic.twitter.com/TvKUl64JmX
โ Chris Eubank Jr (@ChrisEubankJr) February 17, 2018
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.
โItโs impossible to answer at the moment,โ Groves added of being able to fight in June.
โJune 2 isnโt that far away โ in terms of a 12-week camp itโs 14, 15 weeks away. We will seek advice from the specialists, find out how long itโs going to take before I can get back punching.
.@StGeorgeGroves was skilled at moving and nullifying @ChrisEubank โs attackโs. &itโs not the first time Iโve been wrong.A gargantuan congratulations to him&his team The injury Mr G sustained to his shoulder is a draw back for him but he won&both men are safe &thatโs good
โ Christopher Eubank (@ChrisEubank) February 18, 2018
โIt doesnโt take me long to get fit, Iโm sharp, this tournament has kept me focused. I broke my jaw in May and was boxing in October.
โI always heal quick. Iโve been a good healer. I live a good, clean life, I think that helps.
โIโm the WBA champion, the number-one seed, Iโve just been involved in a massive, massive pay-per-view event for the World Boxing Super Series. It wouldnโt be the same if I wasnโt in the final so if they have to move the dates for it, so be it.
โKalle 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?
We have our first Super-Middleweight finalist: @StGeorgeGroves!!!
He wins by UD: 117-112, 116-112 and 115-113#GrovesEubank #AliTrophy pic.twitter.com/b8Zspw6QCv
โ World Boxing Super Series (@WBSuperSeries) February 17, 2018
โWeโll make it happen but Iโve got to be fully fit to box, whenever that time comes around.
โI donโt think these dates are set in stone. Weโve got the whole summer to get this over the line.
โWeโve got the next semi-final next weekend. People want to know who Iโm fighting next, not who is going to make up a sub in the final, I guarantee you.
โIโll be in the final, I just canโt guarantee the date yet.โ