Eubanks is getting better with each fight and in his physical prime. I know Groves beat him early on in Jr's career but I believe he's a different fighter today. I think Eubanks is the favorite but Groves could land something significant to pull out another W over Jr again
Not entirely though, Groves jab will likely be the best Eubank has faced but he's not as slick a mover as Saunders and is quite hittable. He also has lingering question marks over his stamina and chin, which plays directly into Eubank's strongest assets; his engine and work rate. I make Groves a marginal favourite but a late TKO for Eubank while clawing back a deficit on the cards wouldn't surprise me in the slightest.
A year ago I'd say St George destroys CEJ. But a year on CEJ has significantly improved and is clearly very driven. Has Groves Hunger been diminished now he is champ? Really don't know on this one. Groves is technically better and slightly bigger with a better jab. But CEJ is a better athlete with great stamina and decent punch variety. I'm sitting on the fence with this one.
He also hits harder than Saunders, and Saunders minimal power combined with his accuracy gave Eubank pause, believe me, Groves power will give him a lot of pause and make him incredibly cautious as well, most don't seem to realize just how conservative in the ring CEJ really is, he doesn't like taking risks at all, and plays it incredibly safe most of the time, he's not some face first blood and guts brawler willing to walk through shot after shot to land one of his own.
I thought he looked poor actually, its a good thing Yildirim had no chin, because if he did, he would have probably caused CEJ a lot of problems in the second half of the fight. An argument could be made he was winning the first before the KD, and debatably Avni did win the 2nd.
I think Jr takes it, the skills and intensity will overwhelm Grooves eventually. Make no mistake, I want that twat to get KTFO in a gruesome fashion and whoever gets the job done should make that pose of "confidence" as a final nod to karma, but it will take some serious skill to stop him and I dont think Grooves has it.
And do you think Groves will just stand there and let featherfists tee off on him? Groves has flat out lost twice, to Froch, the DeGale and Jack matches were both arguably draws, and both of them savage Eubank Jr. Let's not get carried away with a Yildirim stoppage win, Groves just stopped a far better version of Yildirim in Chudinov, who I can guarantee has a better chin, Groves would have also done a number on old ass AA.
I thought it was all down to Jnr when he wanted him out of there...First time he went for it he got the job done !
I think Jr. has wanted to KO everyone he's got in the ring with badly, but he finally got a guy in the ring with a chin shitty enough to accomplish it.
I havent seen Tooooo much of CEJ but im honestly not that impressed. I know groves has been a bit up and down since losing to froch but i still think he has what it takes to beat CEJ. I actually dont even think it will be to competitive..
If jnr can take the power groves is in for a beating, he won't be able to match jnr for speed, work rate or stamina.
This is going to be really interesting and fan friendly fight. Good slash of styles; Groves being the hard hitter, counter puncher and a boxer, cej being the faster volume puncher. The timing is also quite perfect as both fighters are reaching their absolute best. Geroves has already shown all the skills needed to beat cej but he has also shown some bad habits that might cost him the fight (staying in to the ropes too long and freezing when under attack).