George Groves has named WBC and WBA super-middleweight champion Andre Ward as the only fighter in his weight class that he would not challenge. The 24-year-old's trainer Adam Booth claims that the Commonwealth title holder is confident he could defeat any other contender besides Ward. "The only person he says he can't beat yet is Andre Ward," Booth told ESPN. "That's the only one that George says, 'At the moment I wouldn't challenge Ward but I'll beat the rest of them.' I keep saying, 'Alright George, let's work on this, let's work on this.' "He's done so much in the last few months that I am now struggling to justify to myself a reason now to hold him back - not to just let go of the reins and see what he can do." Groves has been named as chief support for Carl Froch's clash with Mikkel Kessler on May 25, but his opponent has yet to be selected.
Well he's smart in that sense. Wasn't he signed up to fight glass chinned novice MW journeyman Patrick Majewski? Ironic, a guy who feels he can beat any SMW save #1, and he's fighting guys like Barakat & maybe Majewski.
Sounds like a level headed 24 year old prospect who knows he's still got a lot of work to do. Which we all knew anyways.
The word is "yet". Groves realises he needs to do a little more first before he is ready, that doesnt mean he wouldnt when ready. Consider Groves has only had 18 fights and in that time beaten undefeated Degale, undefeated Anderson, Adamu, Smith and G Johnson. In Wards first 18 fights he had benefitted from a debateable decision over D Boone and not fought anywhere near that level and wouldnt have been ready for Kessler then. When Bute first won his world title he had only had about 19/20 fights and said he wouldnt be ready for Calzaghe or Kessler yet. Nothing wrong with that. Groves is moving great at great speed with his career and if he is challenging for a world title against Steiglitz next, it will be a sooner step up than any that Froch, Kessler or Ward took in so few fights. Typical rubbish thread by Auracle21 and the thread title doesnt even say what it is claiming. Complete Aurafail13. Fail on Aurafail13
The purpose of those fights was to keep Groves busy and shake off any ring rust. His manager and promoter are planning on a couple of big fights this year. He'll have that WBO belt around his waist before the year is up.
Also those fights gave him good exposure, despite fighting low class fighters (2 in 2 weeks) he was still on big televised cards. Also people didn't complain when srr (not comparing) fought 2 or 3 lower level fighters in between big fights. I for one am all for that as long as they don't try and pretend these guys are top opposition. Which they haven't.
Groves would get sparked about by Froch, Kessler quite easily I'd also fancy Bika, Dirrell, Abraham, Stieglitz all very comfortabely over him. I thought Groves lost to DeGale and the only reason it was so close was because Groves was in his head. There are a few other guys Groves should face, he can not jump the line.