Groves vs Eubank Jr - WBSS Season I: Super-Middleweight SF1

Oh ladies and gentlemen, tonight's world boxing

super

series is about to begin, please welcome microphone announcer David Diamanti, ladies and gentlemen, good evening and welcome to the Manchester Arena here in the historic and sporting city from Manchester, England, for the world boxing

super

series. featured fight of the night 12 rounds of boxing scheduled for the ibo and wba super

middleweight

world championships ladies and gentlemen tonight legacies are at stake and history will be made as these two British champions have been on a collision course that has captured the imagination of the boxing world, ladies and gentlemen, tonight marks the third installment of the World Boxing Super Series semi-finals, the eventual champions will be crowned in the summer of 2018 and tonight the journey continues for our two super weights mediums in their quest for the biggest prize. in boxing named after the greatest name in the history of our sport the muhammad ali trophy hello ladies and gentlemen let the tournament continue as we proudly present the super

middleweight

semi-finals of the world boxing super series it's time for chris

eubank

jr versus george

groves

either As we enter the arena let us welcome the Ibo super middleweight world champion fighting from Brighton Sussex, England, Chris Eubank Jr. in his quarter-final, he performed to perfection against Avni Yilgirim while booking his place in the semi-final of the world boxing super series.

He is ready to put another Eubank name in boxing history and in an all-English match he faces the biggest fight of his life. George Groves is between him and a place in the final of the world boxing super series. I am the best super middleweight in the world. I'm dangerous and I'm going to knock out George Groves tonight. I want this too much. I've been working for this my whole life. You can't run, you can't hide, George, I'm coming for you, please, welcome Chris.

eubank

jr, when the saint marches there is always electricity in the air, the 29 year old Londoner performed to perfection as he knocked down jamie cox in the quarterfinals of the world boxing super series, he now has a ticket to the final and his boxing legacy is at stake tonight.

I'm going to stick with my belt sit back and enjoy it and watch me knock out Chris you hit Junior please welcome to Saint George Grove Manchester are you ready ladies and gentlemen right now I'm going to ask everyone here at the Manchester Sand what please? stand up and take off your hats for the united kingdom national anthem ladies and gentlemen of the manchester arena we are ready to begin the world boxing super series highlight belt of the night 12 rounds of boxing scheduled for the ibo and wba super middleweight championships of the world, all brought to you courtesy of nissan sourland along with featured events and entertainment, modern times group and team sourland, this fight is sanctioned under the auspices of the british boxing board of control, the president and delegate in charge is Mr.

Charles Giles, world boxing. association president roberto mendoza jr ringside supervisor jasper jensen and the president and supervisor of the international boxing organization ed levine introducing their three judges who rate this contest from ringside everyone from the united kingdom howard foster stephen gray and marcus mcdonald their timekeeper is peter humphrey and at the sound of the bell his third man in the ring a star referee sir michael alexander and now ladies and gentlemen from the four corners of the world to the four corners of this ring right here in manchester england this is the time the time has come fight begins now introducing first the defending world champion fighting from the red corner he wears black and gold he even weighed 76 kilos his professional record is excellent 26 wins against only one loss he has 20 wins by knockout representing an exceptional family boxing tradition he is the third favorite in the world boxing super series and tonight he will make his third defense of his world title he is the former British middleweight champion and the former WBA interim middleweight world champion fighting from Brighton Sussex England ladies and gentlemen presenting the exciting and explosive current Ibo super middleweight world champion, Chris, and his opponent on the other side of the ring fighting from the blue corner, he weighs 75.8 kilos, his professional record is also excellent, 26 wins against three losses, he is 19 great victories on the way. by knockout, he is the top seed of the tournament and tonight he is making his second defense of his world title.

He is the experienced and dangerous former British super middleweight champion, ladies and gentlemen, reigning defending WBA super middleweight, world super champion. He is the saint, the saints. We both know the rules, so let's have a good clean fire, okay, above all, remember to defend yourself at all times, okay, touch the gloves, another chapter in the cannon of all British super middleweight classics is about to begin, The first super middleweight semi-final in the World Boxing Super Series is scheduled for 12 three-minute rounds between the reigning WBA supermanweight world champion as George Groves makes the second defense of his title tonight.

He wears black trunks trimmed with red and a print of the British flag on the seat. from his pants the man in the shiny black trance trimmed with gold is chris eubank jr the champion ibo

groves

29 years old competing in his 31st professional competition tonight chris eubank jr one year younger competing in the 28th contest the lost soul on his record as he takes a hard left jab from groves in a split against billy joe saunders in his 19th fight in what was his first 12 rounder, well it wasn't the start everyone expected, eubank just sat there waiting for the first minute of this round, obviously the first round is very very important to win the first round, the groves started quite well, quick jab from the hip and eubank, everyone expected eubank to come out with that front foot, but he It's waiting, it's certainly waiting there, the observations were and at this kind of distance.

In this type of territory, the lead left hand that George Groves just finished with would be a significant weapon. The consensus seemed to be that for Eubank to be successful, he would have to get in close and attack with his prowling attacks, but at this type of pace at this type of distance he would play into the hands of Saint George Groves, who possesses a world-class heavy jab and a powerful backhand, the same one he used to knock Carl Frosh by the seat of his pants in this very arena in the first round. from his world title fight, yes, kg start, I think Groves has started quite well and the pace certainly suits him, working well with his work, waiting for eubank and obviously he has that good right hand too, so that right now things are going bad. mainly because the tempo sued him without a rehydration clause in the world boxing super series fighters contract and barry mcguigan told our ring reporter gabriel clark that george groves has rehydrated at 13 stone and two pounds this night after weighing in a shade under the 168 super middleweight limit yesterday naturally the bigger man what a significant factor that size and perceived superior strength will be b good left hand from you counter right hand from george groves She wasn't fully extended just a little clumsy in that attempt to cross her feet not being particularly neat and now the first close clinch to conclude the first round.

Yes, it's a very decent round by Groves, as you said. Ronald, the pace certainly suited him with his jab a little hesitant into the Eubank corners. 10 seconds. and for me that is a disgusting round, there is not much action. Groves just took the lead. Well, I was looking with great interest in the red corner just to the right of our commentary position, after who would be inside the ropes and who would give the instructions. and how receptive chris eubank jr would be to that instruction was christopher livingston eubank his father who was given the instructions inside the ring said "make this a fight" good left hand landed by eubank and when people were talking about the disparity and experience between george groves and chris eubank at this level chris eubank jr responded emphatically and said this is not about skill it's about will but at this kind of pace at this kind of distance it will certainly be about skill can chris eubank jr achieve it? in a competition where will becomes the most important factor, he is backing up and then claiming groves around his man quite messily from eubank to this point in the second round, I think he has been ahead, I think he backed up his role because it could just got caught with a shot around the back of the head, it dipped down and grew, it actually caught it with the shot and that may just be a mess of your senses momentarily, but again, it's a better start for round, positive growth for you.

I can see the confidence he has gained in the first round. Expect Eubank to step over that front foot. Come for it. He hasn't done it. Maybe this is the plan for you. I don't know, but Groves is boxing well. groves after eubank's left hook attempt two men flailing inside once again it's going to be interesting to see who emerges victorious in those physical tests of strength the punch numbers in the second round groves landing eubanks three to one according to La nice right hand from compubox landed on Eubank as he lowered his head and fired a little blindly, but the punch didn't stray too far off mark.

Eubank maybe on the front foot as much as we've seen him in this competition, now he's dipped in there. As he came in with quick feet, he jumped up, left hooked and is now starting to unload with the bent arm shots that are such a prominent part of his arsenal. The Groves hide in the neutral corner to the left of our commentator position and now tie. his man stands up to prevent him from working with just over 30 seconds left in the second round, the most active flurry of punches we have seen from eubank up to this point he throws the jab, the first signs of eubank, although he is going to close the fight. close to Groves, but both boxers are risking a lot.

I think Eubank is a little frustrated on the outside because he can't get out to get close enough to Groves. It's a smart start from Groves. again and Eubank is literally running into that corner, they are taking big risks walking into that right hand, well Eubanks corner was screaming "come on, let's go" as he waited to throw that right cross before the bell rang, but he never The second round arrived. the book, this is where he actually rushed George and put him in the corner, difficult tactics, shots miss the target, but Eubank obviously needs that, oh I'll tell you what you know, he actually shot right there, he just touched . down should have been a knockdown michael alexander the referee was a deep squat displayed by chris eubank after he rushed in no knockdown was called now remember that in the only loss on chris eubank junior's record he throws a quick jab of left, then a right cross and his counter missed by a country mile, it was a relatively wild swing from eubank, but the only loss on his record against billy joe saunders saw him do virtually nothing too idle for the first half of the fight, which allowed him a good left hook to the body. over and now it's the shootout big left hook ellen by eubank both men swinging towards the fences and groves he was hit by that shot from eubank yeah a big shot there that came in from eubank you could see the confidence in groves up to At that stage, but Eubank needed Ronald, he needed a couple of big shots and he landed, he hit the target, a good left hook and a good right hand, he closed that gap quickly and landed those solid shots, how will George Groves respond now that this competition has it arrived suddenly?

It brought the crowd here at the Manchester Arena to life on tenterhooks because both men possess the power to finish with a single punch, particularly Groves, who has demonstrated that punching power throughout his career. 67 percent arrest rate on his professional ledger. There's Eubank, his coach. Ronnie Davis said that he breaks fighters' hearts because the flurries that we so often characterize with you we haven't seen much up to this point in competition, but he said that he's capable of throwing them from rounds one to twelve and it's there. . a cut, yes there is a cut on chris eubank jr's right eye. now how distracting the corner is going to be, they're going to have to cut the work short chris senegal standing in hand with the swabs with the adrenaline solution krishubak remains well focused Two shot save from Groves, but both men are cautious up to this point .

Eubac will be eager to get back into the round without further damage to that eye. Good work again from Groves with that jab he's directing at Eubank, keeping him at distance. He knows he is. I have to get close to take shots, but that jab is too slow and he isthrowing from very far away. You have to put your feet within reach. He's not doing it right now and this is a better round again, I think from Groves' right hand. was thrown in response from eubank after receiving a solid left jab from the wba super champion there is that same shot again it looks like a bad cut also it is bad only on the side of the eye the blood runs down the face and not in the eye so that's the only good thing about the cop trying a big left hook again left his feet like floyd patterson did with chris eubank junior but he just cut him off with a forearm a sinister look in the direction but it's through a fog red the right tie is cut Chris Stanley has 60 seconds to go to work.

A small cut, well, it appears to be a deep, jagged cut to the right, when I think we heard Michael Alexander say it was caused by an accidental head collision here is right there the heads came together during that exchange, so in the Round four, this super middleweight showdown has stalled at a simmer rather than lighting up from the opening bell, as many predicted, particularly those who favored Eubank. We're talking to David. haye during the week as we watch the punches, the powerful punches landed at this point in the competition, but david haye witnessed many of the dozens of rounds of sparring that have been a topic of discussion in the lead up to this competition and no would be drawn to who is going to emerge victorious: former two-weight world champion Eubank, trying to get to work with the falcons and then bring into play the favorite punch in his arsenal, the uppercut, but he didn't.

I didn't find a range with anything, but he said who controls the distance will be crucial at this type of distance. George Groves was the governor during sparring when Eubank was able to close the distance at medium and short range and then emerged victorious during those much discussed spar counters are a beauty once again from Groves. I think we've seen a glimpse of this contest. It has to be boxed for eubank in the previous round. How he came close, but he's just waiting too long and again the beat is. suitable for george groves, he can see the attacks coming, i think eubank has to quicken his feet, close the trigger and really release the shots, but he's waiting too long and like i said, he's getting caught going, groves is being able to.

To see these attacks coming and to me I think Groves is boxing pretty comfortable, well, the conclusion of round number two, Chris Eubank, Sunya told his son, told his fighter that he is where he wants to be in this type of distance and said: jun, you have to get closer, he is making a forward gesture with his hands now just to the right of our commentary position, but eubank almost follows his man around the ring as if he is hypnotized and can't close distance. Groves, who demonstrates an excellent overall ship in the ring, was not far behind with that advantage he once again left Ricky Hatton in the background he is practically the man who built this house as a fight factory his fundamental victory here against Costa Zoo one of the many magical nights that have taken place in this arena those of The Crows Prowl, I think they are as frustrated as Chris Eubank Sr. probably is right now, with uh, Christopher, he's just waiting too long and not doing much in reality on the outside, there's a forward left hook again and Eubank follows with a right cross. but groves cleverly binds his mind and moves him away from the confinement of the corner, but as searing as the speed of eubank's hand is, his feet sometimes don't follow, but he managed to advance with his left up there, groves cleverly covered himself and remained composed under fire, he retreats to the ropes and brings his face to the center ring space once again, okay, a little better from eubank towards the end of the round, heads keep colliding, look, you risk head crash like that, then you're in. close seconds of the fifth round, what's up, content, chris eubank jr, big lead, left hook misses by some distance on the follow up, as does the right hand, sweeps this man against the ropes once again and the Heads are getting closer once more, you know that. that he has to get closer he knows he has to get closer to his man, he just did it, they are just waiting too long and the waiting game for me grows, you can see him moaning, confident that then we are waiting for that. chris eubank jr's explosiveness most of the time he's just too far out of ronald's reach he's stopping the attack from too far away he can't close that gap that's his problem not coming up short with the jab every time he has to get close now the eye Again, you know he's bleeding a lot and it continues to flow down the side of his face.

It doesn't seem to be obscuring his vision, but that must be a concern. Remember that Chris Eubank doesn't have to have complete faith in his corner. The right hand was. It's not too far off, but Gross is born with a cutting right hand, these shots deflect off the back of the head, Chris Eubank, thus hinting at referee Michael Alexander, but for a man who takes full responsibility for his own training to your own preparation before believing the public pronouncements, but you will have to put full trust and faith in your corner, now your eye will remain steady and you will be able to concentrate on fighting.

He's in a terrible mess in that neutral corner. You can see eubank trying to drag George Groves into a dunk fight but he can't find the quality work inside either so you know it doesn't really suit him at this stage, ron and again, george groves just waiting in the outside, waiting for attacks to happen, just taking out his man, he really has that. with the right hand cocked, he fired once again eubank inside and again he is looking to go to work in Africa 10-9 we are going well, the numbers drew five full rounds according to compubox statistics good left hook just backs up groves has been a success in that round for me again schubeck hasn't really gotten a consistent foothold in this contest so far and remember i was saying george groves isn't as good as he said the losses to carl frosh have taken some of his His spirit and skill is now trying to wage close range war once again by getting to work with his three right hands testing the physical strength of Groves who pushed him through the ropes but Chris Eubank returned to action and lost another attack michael alexander has called for time and will have to take care of this now just showing his frustration, he will start to work more badly with the double jab, in fact closing that gap to get to his man, the forest is working well with the jab, just keeping him at a distance, that was a question.

How were you going to get back into that world-class jab that George Gross possesses? A lot of people thought he would do it. The charges were inside. Remember that the winner of this contest will face the winner of next week's semi-final in Nuremberg, Germany, as Callum Smith. will face former long-time WBA light heavyweight champion jurgen bremer eubank up close and personal, with groves once again groves curling up tight swinging and weaving before tying up his mana once again eubank really doesn't find the range with his own offense, although it's a little too wild, isn't it Eubank?

I mean these tactics are really crazy. Obviously, he's not looking for points. He wants to knock out George Groves, so he's looking for those big individual punches that close the gap where he can't look. Wild up you have to be more measured and you have to go after some boxing skills before you land that type of shot that you have done in the past, but as George Groves has said, this is another level now, George Groves opined that this It would be an easier job than his two fights against Cal Frater, he gives Chris Eubank a solid left jab and then pirouettes into the center ring space.

He said a fight here against Chris Eubank Jr would be an easier job than the two fights against Carl Froch and then his reversal against Battery Jack and his waist-up fin victory over his former amateur rival, James. Give it. Here's another prowling attack from Chris Eubank, but it's ineffective. He's trying to manhandle his man inside, but George Groves is effectively overriding him. smart work by groves just tying up eubank junior on the inside blindside the referee is also holding up a bit well according to compubox stats until the 6th round george groves is throwing fewer punches but is landing more accurately by the reigning super champion from the wba, right? again trying to fight his way forward but still comfortable under fire eh so some of the action in round number six eubank again failed to close the distance to any significant effect against george groves who is sailing wonderfully in the boxing ring to completely neutralize who is cutting. a somewhat frustrated figure because, simply put, that's the night he missed with his hit on Sunday.

We are in the second half of this super middleweight semi-final of the world boxing super series. George Groves makes second defense of his WBA world title. one who won in such emotional fashion defeating fedor, chewed up enough brahmo lane last summer, winning that world title on his fourth attempt, coming back from the disappointment of the two setbacks against carl froch, the split decision loss when he said he would He was wrong in his tactics. With another hook, the heads come dangerously close once more. Now remember that many people suggest that George Groves fades at the end of fights like he did against Value Jack when Jack started ripping him to the body like he did after having the advantage in the opening hand. car frosh stage of the game before car frosh took control and forced that stoppage at this kind of tempo which Eubank managed to get through with a good right hand, but at this kind of tempo one suspects that George Groves could last 20 rounds, can he Eubank do it? anything to change it, he's trying to do it now, a little better job on your part, but again, Groves' checks at that distance go back to that jab.

I think that during the first half of the contest, the Groves are gone, there is no doubt, but he will now be able to maintain. What can Chris Yuvan Jr do in this second half? Can he put pressure on him to close that gap and have a real effect on his opponent up to this point? Groves is gone his way, let's get that nice left jab from Groves. Remember it was in the second. During the middle of the contest, as you lunge back, he landed his own left jab, but not before shooting from Groves, so how can he get past that lead left hand?

He is trying to do it once again, but George Grove is effectively backing away and again preventing you from backing away. After working on the lead hand tying it up tight, I think there might be another cut in the track as well. This is the blood from the same cut stained on Cushy Junior's eye. Lots of blood now running down the face. Are you back to launching? another leading left hook once again hitting the ribcage with his free right hand roughly trying to keep his eyebrows from getting into trouble, pulling away but the pace must surely be increased here by chris eubank jr because he is following his man around from the ring and is failing to close the gap with steady success, a lead left hook misses by a country mile once again, one manages to get through george short with the count of that followed, but again it's another wild right hand from eubank who he is showing some emotion in the ring and said he lacks emotion when boxing, he shakes his man to try to face him but grove just continues to control the distance as he likes this hall of famer barry mcguigan former world champion heavyweight linear, tyson furis, so many highlights. boxers from britain and beyond attending here tonight prince naseem hamed part of the itv box office broadcast team so is duke mckenzie former three weight world champion let's listen on corners surely chris eubank has to turn up with some talk about a Here is an adaptive strategy because what you are trying so far is clearly ineffective.

Can you pick up the pace? Can you test George Groves' conditioning and gas tank? But so far, George Grove has proven to be as good as his word. He's controlling this the way he likes. It is not like this. A thriller, it's not a fight, but it's been pigeonholed in George Groves terms and is very much the governor. I think chris yuvan jr knows that he has to pick up the pace with the way he's doing it and he's just doing it too wildly, he's not doing it. he's behind any lead hand work with his jab, he's not moving into positions with either a double jab or a right hand, he's just stepping away and hoping to catch Groves, which clearly hasn't happened even when he's inside the quality. he's not quite there he looks, he's canceling out his own work a lottime michael alexander has his hands full tonight it's a physical encounter as the two men approach chris did a good job stopping that blood flow from the eye for now it's always on about to escape once again another big swing and a miss from both flanks of eubank and shows a smile through his shield because he knows that that rather crude and amateurish look further to our right screams that he is short, he has to be rather short. that the punches are too long, he wants it to be compact, Eubank, trying to swing and work his way through, but again, George Groves is able to see that jab coming and evade it with a comfortable and intelligent display at this moment just waiting on the outside waiting for the attacks . happen that euvong junior didn't move forward with enough stance there which isn't enough for me, ron, he's not actually landing anything, it's him, chris evan jr, like I say, well he did it with a long left hook, but the follow up was evaded by groves. once again i am reminded that one of the distinguishing features of chris eubanks boxing and wrestling is his fantastic motor, the fact that he is able to throw bunches, he was knocked out with a long right cross, he shakes his head defiantly in the direction of george groves, but it was more certainly a scoring coup.

He finished with a big left hook that caught George Groves. Tremendous shots from both boxes. They are butting heads again. Yes, the referee calls them the egg clash, but the big punches from both boxers really go for this tremendous round. ten nine quarters thank you the competition caught fire in the closing stages of that round and eubank is now looking to pick up the pace with more consistency chasing his man with the kind of intensity we thought we were going to see from the start now that he is bringing his top right vaulted once again this is where george groves wants it this is where it is he has been able to control the distance with his feet and his forward left hand and is having difficulty making his way.

I think George says he's a mile ahead right now but we've just seen signs that Eubank is starting to get closer maybe george is just backing off the gas a little feeling the pace maybe who knows in 12 round competitions you have the odd round here and there where you just take your foot off the gas but there are just signs that eubank is starting to get closer to growing starting to be more effective but it is way behind at this stage for Schubert Junior, that's the An opinion I share from my position in the ring here, remembering George Grove competing in his scheduled 18th round of 12 rounds tonight, has completed the championship distance in six.

At times, Eubank Jr has done it only twice, once in the backhand against Billy Joe Saunders, and when he hit Abram, perhaps for the achievement but faded, at Wembley Arena last summer, he has the best level of opposition in his resume so far. delivering it behind me to good use, but eubank lunges forward with another prowling attack, heads close together once more, brook groves breathes through a slightly open mouth now too, his shoe back, blinking as the blood begins to slide down his right cheek once more, but it grows. on tiptoe doing a good job of disguising any fatigue he's feeling and the fainting spells only keep eubank at bay one two misses you now up close once again but work is suffocated at close range harbor square eubank is in disarray inside Eubank went straight back to the fray with another haymaker and with his arm tucked under and his head tucked under Groves' right arm, he was blinking furiously because the blood now seems to be dripping into his eye, yes, taking too many risks now, Eubank.

He knows he needs the knockout and that's why he goes for it, walking right into Groves' shots and the only way I think Eubank is going to land those big shots is if George Groves decides to stand and exchange when he's batting. . and moving back and tying him up on the inside it's hard to land a clean shot both men continue to punch after the belt victory is almost frozen michael alexander time falls once again now the tenth round is underway after a sternest warning what a hook from left so forward from eubank gross took it well, returned to the centering space and more importantly eubank can't follow, yes and that's a mistake, ronda moves a crispy left duck, why should he?

So he gets on his bike and walks over to him, that's what he has to do, he just let him free, he actually let him recover, remember these guys are so stupid in four or five seconds they can't, they can recover with one hit and that's what happened there, it was a good shot from you. In fact, I've let Groves recover so well that he may be coming into the picture now when he lands a nice left jab, but the same shot counts him immediately and then he grows from the space of the focused gaze and went for it with the jab. left once again. that was very good, too big by Groves, that was Ronald Scott Eubank on his way, excellent shot, well timed, Eubank just put his head down and walked towards that shot and again at range, Groves is the better boxer so okay, I think Eubank.

He may well be entering the realm where he needs a stoppage, but remember this one, the three judges in the front row, Howard Foster, Steve Gray and Marcus McDonald, the fourth judge, if it were a tie on the scorecard of those three, we will keep McDonald outside of finland, remember someone. He will advance to the finals of the World Boxing Super Series tonight. Tournament rules ensure that the left hand can be used on the midsection again. Where is the long-awaited volume from Eubank, who is being airbrushed by groves he is probably weaving under a spread-legged stance? and he swings towards the defenses and his own momentum carries him to the canvas without knocking down eubank's face a crimson mask behind that flow of blood running down his left right cheek now he's desperately swinging inside and this is becoming a desperate affair now for chris eubank wiping blood from his eye in the biggest fight of his life and it hasn't produced a performance many would have anticipated.

Instead, it's George Groves, but Eubanks keeps swinging, pinning Groves on the ropes, aiming for the body, aiming for the head with the hook that grows with his whips above him and is now on the front foot as Eubank appears to take a breather. and seek refuge in the ropes. I think the most disappointing part of Kashubank junior's performance tonight is that there has been no real method coming his way, there has been no play. plan, he hasn't gone after that jab, he hasn't really used any boxing skills, he's just trying to literally punch him and he came in second, he said he wants this a lot more than george groves, but groves is boxing.

He's stretched but made sure this hasn't come down to Will Shane McGuigan shaking his man as he senses Eubank is there to greet him. Remember Eubank put so much into these shots and now he's being tweaked in the corner once again. The two men fight. right up to the belt, another messy three minute session, but no notable consistent success for chris eubank jr. oh for me so in the championship rounds then chris eubank but for what it's worth he's behind on our cards here in the ring he's going to come in with a big The main left hook again and the hook push Right hands landed on the inside and now Chris Eubank, trying to ramp up the intensity, must have a feeling from the fighter that this hasn't gone as expected so far tonight.

He has less than two rounds to turn it around. he needs to find the momentum of his career here at eubank as i have found so far and i have seen signs but at this rate we keep saying he will release the same volume, he will advance but it won't happen again. takes groves to the road, but every time groves feels eubank on his chest and has his back against the ropes, he's tied up his man to fantastic effect and it's been a contest at this kind of pace, there's another good hook left but surely eubank needs to follow him if he hopes to test groves chin and conditioning he's trying to do it now moaning but look how messy eubank is choking his own work being tied up intertwined in a clinch by groves in the corner we know that It's dangerous close quarters eubank but groves again are very clever the way he just leans on eubank nullifying his work allowing him to move away can he find the shot here now?

Groves looks to match it inside again eubank spilling the blood away from that damage, right? eye and eye who was damaged in round number three ended with a big left hand and then walked into a shot from Groves, earns a big right hand that catches the shaven-headed figure and takes him back to the ropes. Eubank is desperately tired but he is still swinging for the fences blinking furiously as the blood continues to impair his vision just desperately isn't Eubank now to land the big shot only to find a hit? How much he needs it, it is very difficult to hit to get him to try to show up exchanging exchanges, but Groves ties his man up again on the inside just by seeing the contest come out, he knows he has it all in the bag and that's why who is not willing to stay and trade with eubanks, that would be dangerous.

Eubank is incredibly tired, he's breathing hard, but he keeps moving forward in search of that jackpot because surely that's what he needs now, closing seconds into the 11th round and look at the desperation in Chris Eubank Jr.'s swings. I think Groves is far ahead. Well, that's the second semi-final you'll be able to see on the itv box office next week, but here at the Manchester Arena, in this first semi-final in the Super Memory division, it's George Groves who looks set to successfully retain his wba super super halfway through, so we are in the final round of this first semi-final of the world boxing super series, chris eubank in the biggest fight of his career has not produced the performance he declared he would, instead he has been george groves.

While he has controlled things quite comfortably throughout, he must be leading by a mile on the scorecards. He knows that surely Chris Eubank and his corner are aware of that and that is why Eubank is putting everything into these changes. There is a lot of industry, but there is not much science behind it. that and his precision have abandoned him here but he still remains after his man here's a good right hand down incessantly on the groves chest grows now fighting the ropes facing him well he needs to knock him out now don't you wait more blood? from the eye risking everything he has to find that punch, he knows he knows he's behind Groves trying to box center on the outside, but Eubank is just looking for a punch, the punch of his career and he tried and George Groves' inside navigation . able to easily evade it by employing the layback all the talk in the build up, it's george groves and his team who are going to prove them right unless eubank can muster the punch to eliminate groves for the hook count, but next up- The oops weren't gross as they put him under pressure swinging and weaving, though he kept his wrists around him with his hands down at his sides swinging and weaving on the ropes before claiming his man closing stages past the midpoint of this round final and chris eubank emptying what is already sold out. tank looking for the knockout, grows superior experience has proven to be significant up to this point in the competition, has proven to be the best ring, general eubank strives, but again, precision is not what you need to be a good right hook from the fight of groves. out of the corner he suddenly grows into a stalemate he gets more and more tired under the pressure of eubank he gets tagged with a right hook the heads come together disgusting fighting flat-footed he lands with his own right hand he's bringing that percussion to play blood In the lens here at the Manchester Arena, head-to-head exchanges in the red corner right above us.

Well, a great response from Eubank needed a great last round. What was an electrifying final three minutes. George Groves, presided at the top by Shane McGuigan, Chris Eubank climbs the turnbuckle. in his own red corner he is bloodied but feels he has done enough, not a perspective we share here from our position in the ring, but we will now turn to the verdict of the three scoring judges, howard foster, steve gray and marcus mcdonald, presided over by officials. About this, this contest and Chris Eubank came on like a steam train in the 12th and final round, but surely it's a case of too little too late, I think it was so bad that he needed the knockout, didn't he try?

He won the last round. I give him a lot of credit for his effort in that last round, but he should have shown that kind of work earlier in this contest and corralled the groves into areas and corners where he could unleash those big shots, but for me it came outterribly wrong. For Krishuban Junior tonight, he got his tactics wrong from the start. I think he let Groves work on his face. It was a smart performance from Groves from the start. We all expected Eubank to step over the front foot to advance, but he waited too long. the first five or six rounds of this contest and I think the whole crowd around us is just cheering Groves on, you know who won this.

I think Groves won it pretty handily, but Uban gave him credit towards the end, but it was too little too late. in this last round he keeps coming, he has crows in the corner, but Rose is smart, he takes the odd shot here and there, then he ties it up, he comes back with his own punches too, but he really is a phenomenon, anything goes here in this. kind of contest, but it grows for me, he has his home here, ronald and eubank, he should have been doing this a lot sooner, but let's give Groves credit, he didn't let him do that, that one was just a hair's breadth away, right It was like that? shot that he needed to find that type of shot before, but overall it was a smart performance by Groves and they got his tactics right and he won that well.

Scores are tabulated. David Diamante just got into position as we watch what was a furious finish at the close. 12th and final round stages of this first super middleweight semi-final in the world boxing super series george groves marked above both eyes chris eubank suffered a really nasty injury to his right eye in the third round he was boxing with that handicap Since that early stage of the competition, he was strong in the closing stages, never more so than in the 12th and final round, but I think the insurance George Groves got in the can will allow him to cross the finish line and retain the WBA. super super middleweight title are the stats throughout the competition george groves jab is an important weapon as many anticipated it would be distance control yes very good with the jab but i think it was made easier by the fact that eubank waited and he himself slowed down the pace or it was george grove who slowed them down but it certainly suited groves that kind of pace that he could control he is eubank's attack moving forward very well with his jab you see look at it , they're just swinging totally lost, there was nothing real, oh we're just hearing something above us now soon with a bad run on our shoulder, what was that?

Yes, George Grove suffered a shoulder injury in that final round. There was a point where he visibly flexed his shoulder. but that is what is being transmitted to us. Ringside reporter Gabriel Clark tonight will surely find out in the post-fight conversation how significant that injury is if it doesn't contain his progress in a tournament, if he actually raises his hand as a victim, yeah, I mean, let's see what the judges say, but I thought it went terribly wrong for you, but I think he was wrong in many ways at the beginning, the first six. or seven rounds, you know, I thought Groves was clearly winning the rounds, there weren't enough punches for me from Eubank, he knew what he had to do, but he was doing it and getting close and being nasty just didn't let him and uh.

I think we have to give credit to Groves and his trainer because it was a smart performance, ladies and gentlemen, after 12 rounds of action here in Manchester, England, let's get to the judge's scorecards. Howard Foster 117 to 112. Stephen Gray 116 to 112. Marcus McDonald 115 to 113. all three for his winner by unanimous decision, he is now advancing to the final of the world boxing super series to compete for the muhammad ali trophy and is now the world's ibo and wba super middleweight champion. quiet celebrations of satisfaction from george groves after being declared the winner by unanimous decision in this britain battle for a world super middleweight title chris eubank shrugs his shoulders in resignation and sportingly applauds his man, he is doomed to his second defeat in the professional ranks george groves with a second successful defense of his WBA super world super middleweight title and claims the ibo strap that chris eubank also brought to the boxing ring and, most importantly, advances to the final of the super world boxing series to compete for the inaugural muhammad ali trophy at 168 pounds. super middleweight division an excellent performance by george groves an intelligent display taking him by scores of 117-112 for howard foster 116 112 for steve gray and 115 113 for marcus mcdonald our reporter gabriel clark is in top position in the boxing ring and we be able to hand it over to get news from george groves now let's hand it over to gabriel clark george groves big congratulations he's still the champion now we'll find a list of some fights tonight great for the fans um well done to chris eubank He wasn't lying when he said he was going to last this one evening.

He didn't apply the pressure he promised, but I think he was hurting him from the beginning. I dropped it at least once, but didn't I? I don't count, a little doubtful, he was strong inside, which we expected, but you know you are very, very happy with the performance and just explain that you were injured in the last round, correct the dislocated shoulder, well, I haven't done it yet diagnosed, but Yes, it feels pretty sore, but I wasn't going to let anything beat me tonight. I've boxed one with cuts, broken jaws, everything and here tonight I was going to let any injury take me out.

It was about who wanted it more, I think. and obviously what I wanted most was also the pedigree and the experience in terms of the way you could dictate the fight sometimes yeah, you know, of course, it was that the jab landed correctly all night when he was successful because I did something. bad he was strong he was aggressive um but obviously that wasn't enough tonight and just in terms of getting the cut I mean eubank jr got eliminated pretty early when you saw that do you think he let you get a point support? the fight to a greater extent, do you also think that maybe after that eubank jr was a little wilder than you expected?

No, I already hurt him before the cut, he wasn't cleaning his eye. so I don't think he was obscuring his vision he was getting more as this fight goes on because he's not succeeding in the fundamentals of boxing so the best man won on the night tonight credit to junior for making it through the 12 rounds he I did. I don't think he hurt him many times, but like I said, I give him credit, he got it out and where do you put this in your career? This victory tonight. Well, you know, it's been a long time since I did that.

I won in front of a great crowd, I have great support here tonight, national world title fight, yeah obviously when I was here before it was cold for us I didn't win so it's wonderful today to get that justification. We will see another one. defense in the world under my belt and uh, let's go next george groves of any congratulations well done, let's talk now if we can with chris eubank jr chris, did you see the scores, the card there, uh, I think you felt that I won it, but did you? Do you think the best man won?

I thought he was close. I thought I did enough in the last few rounds to win the fight, but it was a close fight and we'll give George credit. You know, this is, this is this. It's all part of boxing, you know, you've been saying we knew something, hopefully we can have a rematch and I thought it was a good enough fight to have another one, I guess I'm out of the tournament now, but there's a man named caleb truax, He has a super middleweight world title, he beat the James girl, so maybe he and I can get in the ring and then I'll have that rematch with the winner of this tournament.

Looks like George dislocated his shoulder in the last round the pressure you put on him that pressure came too late I thought I had pressured him the whole fight he was always moving forward uh he was landing shots I didn't really didn't get hit clean he cut me , I couldn't see with my eye for most of the fight, but how much of a factor was that cut in the third round? Listen, cuts get cut, you know you have to deal with it. to move on I'm a warrior that's what I do I fight he was in top shape I underestimated him a little maybe um big strong hard and uh you know I think uh well you said he dislocated his shoulder I don't know if he doesn't go to the final so, I don't know if that means I automatically pass, but if he can get back to form, then I think he would win the tournament, but what about George tonight?

Obviously there have been words in the build up, how do you feel about George tonight and the fighter he showed you he was? Yes, he has the heart of a true champion. You know he did what he had to do. He stood his ground. There you know he was catching with a lot of shots and yeah he didn't give up so we'll give him credit and hopefully we can get the revenge. I'm sure the crowd wants to see another one, so. uh, we'll see what happens and what's next. You said it would potentially be a defining defeat for the loser, but what's next for you?

Like I said, there are uh, there are other world titles, there are other fighters that I can challenge, I think. You know that tonight I have proven that I am more than capable of fighting on a world level and you know that I am still collecting

season

s. I'm still going to keep looking for people who have the title. you know, a brave performance, chris eubank jr, thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen, in a week's time tonight we will be live from nuremberg, germany, as callum smith takes on jurgen bremer as the super middleweight semi-finals of the world boxing super series, so stop ron. mcintosh michelle joy phelps my name is david diamond and we say good night from manchester england so you