The fact is that anyone fancying Eubank, does so on pure speculation. He has done nothing against anyone of note to make him the favourite in this fight. He is quick, seems to have a good (but untested) chin and good work rate. Groves by contrast has more favourable, size, weight, power, jab, amateur pedigree, professional pedigree/experience, team, technical ability and footwork. I'm not saying Eubank can't win but I make Groves a big favourite here. Everyone else is betting on what Eubank could be, based on what he has done vs far inferior (and smaller) opposition.
I’ve been reading on the thread for a while and wanted to throw my two cents into the discussion, I’ve been rewatching a lot of both fighters previous bouts and the things that stand out to me is that groves can take the punishment, be on the ropes and still dish out the damage back. Eubank thrives when fighters will simply walk in front of him and just guard up allowing Eubank to dispense those hooks and uppercuts. I’ve seen Eubank utilise the jab a little bit more but it doesn’t posses the same sting and pop that groves jab has, For me this comes down to who controls the pace and who executes the better game plan, I think we will see Groves be clever and pick Jr apart, with Jr having some success but not having enough at SM to stop groves. I can appreciate the fitness of Eubank, his speed and aggressiveness but I’ve put my Money on groves to get the win.
A lot of fairly convincing arguments have been made for Groves in this thread. Without wanting to sound snarky, I think a lot of it's slightly rose-tinted. I'd much prefer to see Groves win but he's just too vunerable to pressure. His last 2 fights were nerve-jangling viewing experiences. Murray almost got to him and he's looked to be on the slide for a good while. The pattern's always the same, Groves will look to be several levels above his oppostion but as soon as fatigue sets in he gets sloppy. The biggest question isn't whether he's a better boxer or bigger puncher than Eubank, he is on both counts. The question is can he either KO Eubank or inflict enough damage to ensure that when his arse goes, which it will, he doesn't have a live Eubank to deal with for the remainder of the bout. If he can't ensure either of those outcomes then the outcome will be what's been hinted at in his last few higher profile bouts. He'll find himself in trouble and Eubank will eat him alive. I said it in my initial prediction. Eubank is the worst style match-up available to Groves outside of Golovkin. His weakness is pressure and if he can't derail the fighter applying it he's going to succumb to it. I'd love to see him put on a masterclass or blast Eubank out but it feels like wishful thinking.
Groves via KO, R7. This is a MW stepping up to a LHW. Junior can't throw a straight punch to save his life & Groves will kill him here. outthebox nailed it with his comment.
The whole thing hinges on Groves ability to control the distance, if he can it's an easy points win or maybe even a stoppage. If not then late stoppage for Eubank.
Groves not the same he was few years ago. Look at the recent Cox fight he was getting beat up until he found the body shot. Groves cant handle pressure punching he cowers up. Eubank will swarm him and find that lethal uppercut that will KO Groves.
On a separate note, we’ve seen 22 pages of people putting their opinions across and I can’t really recall anyone slagging anyone else off for having a different opinion. It’s all been constructive debate. Us Brits are ace.
I don't believe he actually trains himself, I just don't think he is well trained because Ronnie Davies is completely ignored and Sr isn't a trainer, it's all sports science now, with respect to Sr he might be able to pose while quoting an inspirational sonnet but I don't believe he knows that much about sports science. With a top trainer taking him early in his career I honestly believe he would have been a much more rounded fighter and a far better one.
Very true, it's because we are the best boxing fans in the world, it's not even close. Also in general we are not petty, we don't feel we have to pick a side, slaughter the other side and stick to a point of view at all costs, we can accept a differing opinion or point if it's valid or just a good one and see things from another angle. UK All Day
I agree with this. Groves is a great fighter. Technically a level above eubank. For me the fight comes down to if groves can deplete him enough...to stop him coming on strong late. I think he needs to go for it...high output like he has been in most of his recent fights. He could very well get eubank out of there. I think regardless groves will get ragged as the fight goes on. He starts making basic mistakes. If he doesn't deplete eubank from the start...he,ll make groves pay for it later. Looking at that fight...tactics look easy for groves. As the technically better fighter...it would be box him from the start. I think that's a mistake for groves tho. George will slow down at some point....if eubanks still fresh enough he,ll have enough in the tank to get groves out of there. I ve heard all this iron chin and doesn't get tired stuff before. If groves puts it on eubank from the start. Stays away from a hook off. He,ll deplete him enough...that if he does come back at him later his power/speed etc will be drained enough for george to see it through. Its a risky strategy...but I think theyll go for that. George will be the one pushing the pace in the beginning. It just needs to be effective aggresson. He,ll have the higher output. I think George could win this fight could get eubank out of there mid rounds but there's a level of the unknown with it. What happens if eubank can take it. I ve seen enough to see hes just like everyone else tho. He can be got at. Yes hes fit, strong great engine etc. But no one can take punishment for rounds without it affecting them in some way. I think if its nip and tuck early....eubank will win it. Groves needs to deplete him from the start. But I think eubank wins this. It could well be a mismatch with groves doing a number on eubank tho. Its always been about what eubank can do as the fight wears on. That's his way to win. Get groves working from the start without taking too much. It,ll come down to how effective groves work is from the start. He will land George always does...but will he be working too hard for the return he gets from it. That's what it,ll come down to. How effective his aggresson is. Eubank will go with his billy Joe Saunders tactics to start with I think. Wont do too much. Few flashes. Planning to come on strong. He,ll start moving earlier this time tho. Both billy Joe and groves tire. But billy Joe still remains tricky to hit. Groves doesn't. The eubanks never banked on that with bjs. Billy outboxed him in the first six regardless anyway..
We must consider the role of cuts, injuries in this fight. Cox was much smaller but he had groves quite badly marked up in the few rounds it lasted. Cej could mark groves up very badly.
No, I am not changing my mind and I am still sticking with Eubank Jr winning, but the more I look at this, the more I hear Eubank Jr talk, the more I see him on the pads, in those sharp but short spurts, there is a very real chance Groves could prove me wrong. He could just box him on the end of that jab, catch him with that right when he tries to roll him. If he can stay conservative and cute with his punch economy and leaving Eubank Jr wanting, he could easily nick it. Interview from sky sports suggest Froch clearly doesn't think groves has no chance at all
Groves has the ability to completely outbox and dominate Jnr..... However I just don't see it happening over the 12 rounds. I'm still sticking with Eubank to pull out a late stoppage win. May the best man win..... with no excuses.
