Wikipedia

George Groves vs. Callum Smith

George Groves vs. Callum Smith was a professional boxing match contested on 28 September 2018, for the WBA and The Ring Super Middleweight championship.[1]

George Groves vs. Callum Smith
Date28 September 2018
VenueKing Abdullah Sports City Indoor Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Title(s) on the lineWBA (Super) and The Ring super middleweight title
Tale of the tape
Boxer United Kingdom George Groves United Kingdom Callum Smith
Nickname "Saint George" "Mundo"
Hometown Hammersmith, London, UK Liverpool, Merseyside, UK
Pre-fight record 28–3 (20 KO) 23–0 (17 KO)
Age 30 years, 6 months 28 years, 5 months
Height 5 ft 11+1⁄2 in (182 cm) 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 167+3⁄4 lb (76 kg) 167+1⁄4 lb (76 kg)
Style Orthodox Orthodox
Recognition WBA
Super Middleweight Champion
The Ring/TBRB
No. 1 Ranked Super Middleweight		 WBC
No. 1 Ranked Super Middleweight
WBA
No. 4 Ranked Super Middleweight
The Ring
No. 3 Ranked Super Middleweight
TBRB
No. 8 Ranked Super Middleweight
Result
Smith defeated Groves by 7th round knockout

Background

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On 13 February, it was announced that the final of the World Boxing Super Series super-middleweight tournament would take place at the O2 Arena in London on 2 June 2018.[2] The final was made up after George Groves defeated Chris Eubank Jr. on 17 February and Callum Smith defeating Nieky Holzken on 24 February.[3] On 26 February, Groves tweeted that he would be going into surgery, after dislocating his shoulder in the final round against Eubank Jr.. He wrote, "We will be applying to the @WBSuperSeries for a one-month extension and are hopeful of securing this." He hoped to return to the ring by July.[4][5]

On 9 May, Kalle Sauerland said that Groves could potentially be replaced by Eubank Jr. for the final against Smith, however there would be confirmation on the final in the next 10 days. He stated, "We're working at the moment on all the solutions and scenarios, where George [Groves] is fit and where he isn't. We're hopeful [Groves will be fit], so we'll see. You can't start the tournament and then have the final lingering into the next tournament. I'm sorry, that's not going to happen. We can push a month, but we can’t push it back by three or four months. We have a substitute system. We said that from day one, and that’s the situation. We want Groves in the final, but if that’s not possible and he doesn't declare himself fit in the next 10 days, we have to find a solution."[6][7] On 28 May, it was said that Groves would be declared fit with the fight to take place on 14 July.[8] By 6 July, there was still no date set, however according to Kalle Sauerland, the bout was expected to take place in September and likely not in the UK, with some rumours hinting there was a strong interest from Las Vegas and Middle East. Smith's trainer Joe Gallagher confirmed contracts had been signed.[9][10] On 27 July, Sauerland announced the fight would take place at a 10,000 capacity arena at the King Abdullah Sports City Complex in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on 28 September 2018.[11][12][13]

It was reported the prize money on offer for the final was £6.1 million, with the winner taking a larger percentage.[14]

There were four official judge's scorecards.

The fight

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The fight was closely fought throughout the opening 6 rounds with back and forth action. Early in the fight, Groves established his jab whilst trying to avoid any power shots from Smith, whilst Smith was connecting with his right hand. Smith had more success in round 3 after a counter-right hand buckled Groves legs. In round 6, Smith backed Groves against the ropes and landed two strong jabs. He later landed a clean left hook which forced Groves to move back. Midway through round 7, Groves landed two body shots, however leaving himself open, Smith landed a left hook, which again shook Groves and forced him to retreat backwards. Groves was hurt at this point and Smith went after Groves against the ropes and landed numerous shots, including a hard body shot and an uppercut, ultimately sending Groves to the canvas. Groves managed to get to one knee, before referee Luis Pabon finished the 10-count, giving Smith the 7th round knockout.[15] At the time of the stoppage, one judge had it even at 57–57, two judges had Groves ahead 59–55 and 58–56 and one judge had Smith ahead 59–55.[16][17]

Aftermath

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Groves made no excuses, claiming the shoulder was never an issue in the fight. He also ruled out retirement. Rasheda Ali daughter of Muhammad Ali's presented Smith with the trophy.[18][19][20]

On 28 January 2019, Groves announced his retirement from professional boxing, stating, "I don't want there to be a time where I'm 'too old' to box, or where injury retires me." In a long statement, he highlighted some career events and offered a prayer for Eduard Gutknecht.[21][22]

Undercard

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Confirmed bouts:[23]

Broadcasting

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Country Broadcaster
Baltic & Nordic countries Viasat[24]
  Belgium VOO
  Bulgaria Nova
  Canada Super Channel
  Germany SAT.1
  Russia Match! Boets[25]
  Singapore StarHub
Sub-Saharan Africa TVMS
  Turkey Tivibu Sports[26]
  United Kingdom ITV
  United States Audience[27]
  Ukraine Inter

References

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  1. ^ "Callum Smith vs. George Groves". boxrec.com. BoxRec. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  2. ^ "World Boxing Super Series 168 Final, June 2 at London's O2 Arena". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
  3. ^ "Callum Smith Outboxes Nieky Holzken, George Groves is Next". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
  4. ^ "George Groves targets July return against Callum Smith after shoulder surgery". Sky Sports. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  5. ^ "Groves to have surgery, wants WBSS extension". ESPN.com. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  6. ^ "Callum Smith vs. Chris Eubank in Play if No Groves For WBSS Final". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  7. ^ "WBSS: George Groves given deadline to prove he is fit to face Callum Smith in final". Sky Sports. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  8. ^ "Groves Set To Be Declared Fit For WBSS Final With Callum Smith". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  9. ^ "EXCLUSIVE Callum Smith on fighting George Groves overseas - Boxing News". Boxing News. 5 July 2018. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  10. ^ "World Boxing Super Series: George Groves v Callum Smith 'unlikely to be in UK'". BBC Sport. 5 July 2018. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  11. ^ Smith, Groves v. "George Groves v Callum Smith: Impressive Saudi arena favorite to stage WBSS Final in September". WBN - World Boxing News. Archived from the original on 27 July 2018. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  12. ^ "Groves vs. Smith Finalized For September 28 in Jeddah". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  13. ^ "George Groves and Callum Smith to fight for Muhammad Ali trophy in Jeddah, on September 28". Sky Sports. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  14. ^ Domin, Martin (28 September 2018). "George Groves vs Callum Smith prize money revealed". mirror. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  15. ^ Luke Reddy (28 September 2018). "How Smith knocked out Groves to win world title & World Super Series". bbc.co.uk. BBC. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  16. ^ ""The 91 Second Massacre"'s tweet - "Groves vs Smith scorecards at the time of the stoppage. #GrovesSmith @KOKINGS4 @TheFightGuru @Tonypem @ArronChester @AssassinSte " - Trendsmap". 8 November 2018. Archived from the original on 8 November 2018. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  17. ^ "Smith KOs Groves to win WBA world title". ESPN.com. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
  18. ^ "Callum Smith Knocks George Groves Out in Seven, Wins WBSS". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
  19. ^ "Groves vs Smith: Callum Smith stops George Groves to win WBA super-middleweight world title". Sky Sports. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
  20. ^ "World Boxing Super Series final: Callum Smith knocks out George Groves". BBC Sport. 28 September 2018. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
  21. ^ "George Groves announces his retirement from boxing aged 30". The Guardian. Press Association. 28 January 2019. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
  22. ^ "George Groves announces retirement from boxing | Sky News". 2 April 2019. Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  23. ^ "BoxRec - event".
  24. ^ "MTG will be the exclusive home of the World Boxing Super Series in the Nordic and Baltic regions". europawire.eu. EuropaWire. 11 September 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  25. ^ Andrew Karlov (14 October 2017). "Groves vs Cox. Where to watch live". ringside24.com. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  26. ^ WBN Staff (9 September 2017). "WBSS agree further European media rights deals". worldboxingnews.net. World Boxing News. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  27. ^ Dan Rafael (28 September 2017). "World Boxing Super Series finds U.S. distribution for quarterfinals". espn.co.uk. ESPN. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
Preceded by George Groves's bouts
28 September 2018 		Retired
Preceded by Callum Smith's bouts
28 September 2018 		Succeeded by
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