We capture the reactions from the boxing world following the epic Groves v Eubank encounter
It was a fight that got everyone talking from the quarter-finals back in October last year, consuming the media all last week, and continues to divide opinions today.
The encounter lived up to it’s expectations and social media has been awash with praise for the “Saint”, as well an endless stream of advice for Jr.
So, BBN asked their many friends from the boxing world just what they thought of the fight and what Jr should do next:
Ricky HattonTwo-weight world champion
"I think Groves did a fantastic job, and, in the step up in class, I think Jr found himself a little bit wanting, really.
I don't agree with Naz who says Jr should retire, because he can come back. There’s only a year difference between them (in age). Chris is young, he’s fresh, he’s not had as many miles on the clock as George Groves. He can come back.
It's about levels and I think Groves showed him what it’s like on that top-level.”
Miles Shinkwin Former Southern Area light-heavyweight champion
“It was the fight I expected to a degree, I didn’t expect Eubank to be so hesitant however but when you’re getting hit by a big punching, natural super-middle when you’re a natural middle, it’s going to be hard to commit.
I scored it 10-1-1 to Groves, who I thought boxed excellent and controlled it behind his jab. I think him v Smith makes for an intriguing final.”
Steve WoodVIP Promotions
“Entertaining fight and Eubank Jr. gave his all but ultimately size and experience told.
I would go back down to middleweight and find an experienced trainer who he respects and would listen to.”
Darrel ChurchLight-heavyweight prospect
“I think George Groves fought to a perfect game plan.
I thought he boxed brilliant, and I said weeks ago that it would be George Groves on points and that was the exact outcome!
I have always rated George, I don’t think he gets the recognition he deserves! I think the public have just brought into Jr because of his knockouts against opponents that are just going to stand in front of him.
George and Billy Joe are boxers and Jr has come unstuck against both of them now – boxing is called boxing for a reason!
I always respect any fighter who gets into the ring, so I respect Jr as a fighter, but I think he needs a wakeup call and has to realise you need a good trainer and team in your corner. He also needs to be in a stable of decent fighters, so he can bounce off other fighters. He needs to wake up and realise he is not a one-man band! This is world level boxing! But that goes for any level of boxing, you need someone to push you and say what you’re doing wrong. That’s what he should do next, get in a decent stable with a good trainer and team around him and start using his boxing.”
Mark TibbsBoxing Trainer
“Cracking fight, clearly only one winner and I’m sure Jr wished he’d listened to his coaches a long time ago, if not now maybe some time down the road, as I feel with his discipline, desire and work ethic would have and could have picked up the art of boxing to some level of degree. If only he’d listen more…
Well done to George Groves.”
Anesu Twala Unbeaten 4-0 super-lightweight prospect
“I thought it was a great fight. Both guys came to win. Eubank Jr gambled a lot and Groves did well to keep his concentration and composure. Eubank is a warrior for soldiering through the cut and Groves’ accurate punching. Groves proved that he’s an upper echelon fighter. Excellent fight for the fans.”
Raza Hamza Unbeaten in 10 featherweight prospect
“It was a good fight but very one-sided.
George Groves was the better fighter and I think he showed he has more experience and good boxing IQ. Junior didn’t have an answer to Groves’ jab and boxing.
For the future, I think Junior needs a trainer and should maybe move to America.”
Tim Rickson Sports Agent
“I was lucky to be sat ringside for this one and the atmosphere was unreal; great show by the Sauerlands, who are both really friendly and genuinely nice people.
I thought Groves and McGuigan got their game plan spot on. I’ve heard some say that Groves held and spoiled too much, but that was just clever tactics.
I wrote a preview before the fight predicting that Groves’ power, experience and intelligence will be the deciding factor in this fight, and it really was.
Eubank Jr did not change things between rounds to improve his chances of winning. Whenever I looked over to his corner between rounds, I saw Ronnie Davies and Chris Eubank Senior on the other side of the ropes, so I’m not show how he could have been receiving any instructions? That’s a bizarre set up! His coach was as far away as he could possibly be from him.
The scores of 117-112 and 116-112 were fine, but Marcus McDonnell’s 115-113 was crazy! No disrespect to him, though, he refereed the Langford v Arnfield fight brilliantly just two fights before the headliner.
My prediction for The Gambling Times concluded that Groves would win on points and Eubank Jr would look world class in defeat…one out of two ain’t bad!
I would like to see Jr go back down to middleweight – he doesn’t have enough power at 168lbs – and get a proper set up, away from his overbearing father, with a coach that will tell him what to do without argument. And stay off Twitter with all the hype-building and video clips of throwing ‘100 punches per second!’
I have to finish with praise for George Groves. He is an inspiration to all boxers out there, especially to Eubank, winning a world title on his fourth attempt – that’s dedication and perserverance. And he just turned a 50-50 fight, of which he ended up as the bookies’ underdog somehow, and turned it into a completely one-sided fight. He deserves all the praise he gets.”
Joe PyleBoxing Promoter
“I thought the fight was very exciting, although it fell just short of expectation. I was thinking before the first bell that this could be a domestic version of Hagler vs Hearns.
I scored the fight similar to the judges, if not more wider for Groves. Eubank was disappointing but I did tip Groves to win.
The fight went similar to how expected as I think Groves is underestimated for his ring savvy and boxing ability. I was very impressed with Groves when he beat Cox, he used his guile and was just too clever in the ring that night. He did the same on Saturday night as Eubank seemed content with just throwing bombs. Where was Eubank’s jab or the fast combinations we see him throwing in his training clips?
I like Ronnie Davis but on Saturday Eubank came out round after round doing the same thing which made it comfortable for Groves as he seemed to have worked Eubank out after a couple of rounds. Was it Groves cleverness or was it Eubank’s failure to alter his game plan? We will never know but it would have been good to see Eubank stand his ground a bit and use his boxing ability and speed to keep the fight at range, he smothered his own work all night long, keep loading up on the first punch, I would have loved to see him jab his way into range and then unload some of his flashy combinations.
Where does he go from here? Well, there are lots of fights out there for him! Naz saying he should quit was very harsh as Eubank is a very good fighter. It’s a difficult question regarding his father still being involved as it’s his father who has been with him all this time but his father should stop the hype a bit as it’s putting too much pressure on his son. Statements like he will be bigger than Floyd Mayweather, for example, that is just crazy talk putting that on his son. Boxing is all about winning and sometimes winning doesn’t mean looking good, it’s about getting the job done.
There are a lot of people saying should he move back down to middle? That’s a question for his team as only they know how comfortable he would be at that weight.
There is still a good future for the kid, he has talent, courage and dedication but he needs to add more to his boxing. Billy Joe looked awful a couple of fights ago and he is now being talked about as the man to beat GGG and Canelo!
Can Eubank come back? Yes, he can but he needs to sit down and do some very deep thinking how that is to happen… I wish him all the best.”
Kevin CampionMatchmaker
“I really enjoyed the fight, it was never going to be all out war as there was too much riding on it.
I only gave Eubank Jr three rounds. I thought Groves used the distance well and tied up Eubank up close to nullify his strengths. I don’t think Eubank underperformed as such, I think Groves made it so he couldn’t perform. I thought Groves was fantastic.
Eubank is still a hugely talented boxer and can rebuild, a few losses doesn’t define a career. We put too much on losses nowadays. But he has to come back down to middleweight, in my opinion.”
Victor SmithBoxing Trainer
“It was a classic example of a game plan executed. From the start, Groves kept him long and moved well, the jab was key for his distance, then to hold him once Eubank got close.
Groves had the extra 7kg to put on the pressure once holding, Eubank simply ran out of ideas and had no Plan B.
Eubank will learn from the fight.”
Niall DoranBoxing News & Views Editor
“Brilliant game plan by Groves and Shane McGuigan.
Groves really used his experience that he’s built up over the years to his advantage. Thought he’d win on points if he was on his A-game and he did.
Credit to Eubank for hanging in there but the better boxer won.”
Lewis Calvert Founder of @BigWriteHook
“The hardcore fans beat the bookies on this one. The general public were swept up in the hype of Chris Eubank Jr and his impressive Instagram videos where makes easy work of punch bags. But George Groves is no punch bag; he is an experienced and smart fighter. His defence was impeccable, as well it had to be and he did not allow the famous Eubank Jr uppercut to breach that impregnable guard of his. The constant power of the Groves jab and counter shots acted as a buffer to ward away the usually none-stop aggression of the younger fighter.
Wild swings and a lack of tactics from his father did not help the Bristolian's cause either. Especially compared to the instructions Groves was receiving from the knowledgeable Shane McGuigan everytime the two boxers broke from a clench and St. George looked down to his corner.
The “I told you so” brigade are out in force and I myself backed Groves on points, but in truth, it could have went the other way if the referee decided to “save” a one armed Groves in 12th round. But for all the talk of Eubank’s fearsome power and the distasteful remarks about Nick Blackwell, he still failed to knock Blackwell out with one shot power, hence why I didn’t think he would have enough to trouble Groves, who has been the distance with the large Badou Jack, so would not to be troubled by a smaller man.
The aftermath has been dominated by Prince Naseem Hamed’s comments, in which he calls for Eubank Jr to retire. I personally find this funny, rather than disrespectful and I think more honesty or even just personality in boxing coverage is needed so people like Naz should be welcomed back to TV gigs with open arms.
The nervous wait to see how Groves’ shoulder heals could mean Eubank Jr is still in contention for the final however, Super Middleweight champions David Benavidez, Tyron Zeuge, Caleb Truax or Gilberto Ramirez would all bring more to the table. All eyes turn to Callum Smith for now though, on Saturday night the Scouser dines in Germany when takes on Jurgen Braemer for a place at the top table. So as they say in German: “lass uns kämpfen!” – let's fight!”