George Groves vs. Chris Eubank Jr - 17 February 2018

[East End]

I am still swaying one way then the other when it comes to trying to pick a winner so maybe getting my thoughts typed out on screen and reading them back will help me.
Most of the more convincing arguments from the experts tend to favour Groves, citing his excellent jab, superior power, his ability to pick shots and not waste them and more extensive experience at world level.
Although George has been campaigning at 168Ibs for significantly longer than his opponent and may just about be the physically stronger, I am certain that Eubank possesses far superior mental strength. I also think Chris is by far the fresher of the two - he has not been through two battles with Froch or had to endure 12 hard rounds with the likes of James DeGale, Christopher Rebrasse, Badou Jack and Martin Murray - and this could well serve him well if the fight goes long.
Eubank truly 'lives the life' 24/7 and is as physically fit as they come and, whilst that can only take a boxer so far, I think it has enabled him to build a significant level of durability. This could well be enough to take the contest into the latter stages which is where Junior has often been at his best, whilst Groves has been known to tire down the home stretch, something that cost him in the Jack fight.
If Groves gets his excellent jab working and Eubank cannot find a way to get inside it then the Brighton man is in for a rough night. There is also the question of Eubank's seemingly stubborn independence from those in his corner and whether this lack of willingness to listen to sage advice might render him incapable of changing tack should plan A start to fail him.
Usually, when I am finding a fight tough to predict, I tend to favour technical superiority and I think that firmly rests with Groves in this case. However, I keep coming back to Eubank's seemingly unshakeable mental strength and self belief against the more psychologically susceptible Groves. Many of you will have read the excellent interview with Adam Booth in this week's Boxing News in which he describes Eubank as self-absorbed, narcissistic and arrogant and suggests that sometimes those traits alone can be enough to make a good fighter. Booth also, however, made the good point that Eubank is likely to be hit harder in this fight than he ever has before, whilst that will certainly not be the case for Groves (obvious reference to Wembley Stadium, May 2014) and indeed we will not know just how solid Eubank's punch resistance really is until such time as someone with George's sort of power starts nailing him and, perhaps more importantly, how much might a Groves barrage shake the Eubank psyche?

All of this has brought me to two possible outcomes, one favouring each man. Groves' technically superior work to earn him a decision or Eubank taking advantage of an opponent weakening both physically and mentally to force a stoppage during the 'championship rounds'.

[Counter-puncher]

I am certain that Eubank possesses far superior mental strength.

this is an assumption that confuses me. i can only assume people grant Eubank this mental strength because, uh, he tells people how mentally strong he is? it certainly isn't a proven commodity

[Counter-puncher]

meanwhile Groves has had the mental strength to come back from disappointing and devastating defeats, and yet is mentally weaker than a totaly unproven commodity who's never been in a tough fight? madness, for me. no offence, like, i just find it totally barking.

[PredatorHayds]

I’ve got a decent lump on Eubank Points.
Really thought Groves looked in decline against Chudinov. Got hit with shots he shouldn’t of. I don’t think he pulls the trigger as fast as he used to.
I see Eubank having the workrate. Could be a quantity versus quality decision for the judges.
The worry I have is Groves strength and Eubanks lack of footwork.

[East End]

I am certain that Eubank possesses far superior mental strength.

this is an assumption that confuses me. i can only assume people grant Eubank this mental strength because, uh, he tells people how mentally strong he is? it certainly isn't a proven commodity

Just an impression I get from his demeanour rather than anything he says, but it could just be a charade. Groves' instabilities in that department have been well documented though. He has admitted himself to being his own toughest opponent at times. As I said, the acid test of Eubank's mental strength will be how he responds to being nailed with a barrage of heavy shots from someone who carries a bit more natural power than Billy Joe Saunders, who has been the only one to put Chris under serious pressure up until now.

[Ruthless-RKO]

I like both guys. But I kinda just want Eubank Jr. to win this. I think going forward. Eubank is the star. Groves has peaked IMO.. Eubank is peaking now. A win for Eubank does his a lot more than what a win for Groves would do.

[East End]

I like both guys. But I kinda just want Eubank Jr. to win this. I think going forward. Eubank is the star. Groves has peaked IMO.. Eubank is peaking now. A win for Eubank does his a lot more than what a win for Groves would do.

Which prompts me to pose the question as to which would make for a more entertaining WBSS final: Callum Smith (who I am convinced will stop Braehmer) versus Groves or Eubank?

[samwbr]

meanwhile Groves has had the mental strength to come back from disappointing and devastating defeats, and yet is mentally weaker than a totaly unproven commodity who's never been in a tough fight? madness, for me. no offence, like, i just find it totally barking.

I can't split them. It should in theory be a relatively routine win for George but given what we know but I can't shake the thought that Eubank is going to do a big number on him.
Really looking forward to it tho. Sauerland have done us all proud with the 2 tournament.

[ElJefe]

I'll tell you what is impressive about Eubank though, how he's managed to almost completely wipe the Saunders loss from the memory of casual boxing fans. Saw him talking about Groves' experience in big fights saying that "he knows how to lose, he knows how to fail, he knows how to get knocked out. I don't."

Fair enough he hasn't been knocked out but any uninformed observer would take that quote as Eubank implying that he himself is undefeated when he's not.

[bigjack]

I'll tell you what is impressive about Eubank though, how he's managed to almost completely wipe the Saunders loss from the memory of casual boxing fans. Saw him talking about Groves' experience in big fights saying that "he knows how to lose, he knows how to fail, he knows how to get knocked out. I don't."

Fair enough he hasn't been knocked out but any uninformed observer would take that quote as Eubank implying that he himself is undefeated when he's not.

He did say in one interview that he has never been decisively beaten,which i'd agree with.

[jimcook]

groves didnt look too good at the weigh in, but then again he is the only one who had to boil down. eubank looked super confident and strong as you would expect. his old man looked nervous tho....

[bigjack]

groves didnt look too good at the weigh in, but then again he is the only one who had to boil down. eubank looked super confident and strong as you would expect. his old man looked nervous tho....

Despite all the bravado,he knows it's a big step up against a puncher and with the history of injuries he's bound to be a bit twitchy.

[jimcook]

I'll tell you what is impressive about Eubank though, how he's managed to almost completely wipe the Saunders loss from the memory of casual boxing fans. Saw him talking about Groves' experience in big fights saying that "he knows how to lose, he knows how to fail, he knows how to get knocked out. I don't."

Fair enough he hasn't been knocked out but any uninformed observer would take that quote as Eubank implying that he himself is undefeated when he's not.

He did say in one interview that he has never been decisively beaten,which i'd agree with.

I've never been decisively beaten either, but then again i've never fought carl froch or any other world class super middle....just like jr. It's only words.

[Boxerbeetle]

groves didnt look too good at the weigh in, but then again he is the only one who had to boil down. eubank looked super confident and strong as you would expect. his old man looked nervous tho....

Despite all the bravado,he knows it's a big step up against a puncher and with the history of injuries he's bound to be a bit twitchy.

Yeah in fairness to Eubank Sr, he seems to be carrying out his dad duties very well for Jr. Tried to keep him out of boxing altogether, but after realising he couldn’t he has fully supported him all the way and always ensured he’d be matched extremely carefully. Until tomorrow...

[Counter-puncher]

I'll tell you what is impressive about Eubank though, how he's managed to almost completely wipe the Saunders loss from the memory of casual boxing fans. Saw him talking about Groves' experience in big fights saying that "he knows how to lose, he knows how to fail, he knows how to get knocked out. I don't."

Fair enough he hasn't been knocked out but any uninformed observer would take that quote as Eubank implying that he himself is undefeated when he's not.

He did say in one interview that he has never been decisively beaten,which i'd agree with.

I've never been decisively beaten either, but then again i've never fought carl froch or any other world class super middle....just like jr. It's only words.

[ElJefe]

Something about this fight just has me by the balls. The most I've been looking forward to a fight in ages. More so than Canelo-GGG, May-Pac, AJ-Wlad, Ward-Kovalev etc. Not 100% sure why but I'm buzzing for it.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Sky Sports have a poll on.. Over 160,000 votes..

http://www.skysports.com/boxing/news/12 ... k-will-win

Looks interesting. Eubank to win according to their poll.

They also asked the question: Who do you want to win?

Out of nearly 75,000.. its a 50-50 split!

[Ruthless-RKO]

Something about this fight just has me by the balls. The most I've been looking forward to a fight in ages. More so than Canelo-GGG, May-Pac, AJ-Wlad, Ward-Kovalev etc. Not 100% sure why but I'm buzzing for it.

100% How I feel.

Maybe because it's part of a tournament.. 2 Guys bang on their peek or about.. Maybe because it's an all domestic bout... It's definitely something. But like you, I can't pit my finger on it. Edge of my seat fight.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[MightyWarrior]

It’s the final really, or should be, as the final
will be a big anti climax, especially if it’s Brahmer -ugh

[Mimmy]

Jr looks better conditioned to me. Groves going to be in for a rough night.

[Sklar]

Groves should watch how Robin Reid boxed Henry Wharton and adopt a similar set of tactics I.e jab his head off all night long.

[TheLeprechaun]

Watched Groves vs Murray and Cox last night and really think there is a chance Eubank can make this look easy. I don't like how Groves defends when combinations are coming his way. Eubank might be a terrible style for Groves with his speed and combination punching. I can see Groves just getting completely outclassed and stopped within 6, as mad as it sounds.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Some fans took to twitter after the weigh in..

George looks drained..i smell blood
— Paul B-P (@LiverPaul4) February 16, 2018

Groves looks a lot smaller than i would have thought !
— Darts News & Memes With Your Custard Creams (@DartsNewsMemes) February 16, 2018

Groves gaunt, drained and very tense. Eubank perfectly comfortable. Think Jr has got this – what a fight though. Can’t wait.
— Paul Ross (@PaulRoss58) February 16, 2018

Groves did not look good on the scales, drained, different beast when he refuels, Jnr is a MW so hes always good on the scales as SM
— 🕭ding ding (@DingDingBoxing) February 16, 2018

Should be good, Eubank looked healthy, Groves a little drained, hopefully he doesn’t fade later on.. I like this fight
— MadC 355 (@wadeo355) February 16, 2018

I think groves looked drained at the weight, hopefully he’s done it right… #GrovesEubank
— Jamie (@jaythedon007) February 16, 2018

Groves looks well drained.
— DJ Monkeybread (@sattajat) February 16, 2018

I think George Groves is drained at the weight
— Ky Lewis (@KyLewis1994) February 16, 2018

[jamesmcdonnell]

Too much read into these face offs.

Groves looks fine to me, he's bound to look more drained, he's the bigger man. He will have significant size advantage come fight night.

I think both looked fairly relaxed, Jr looks the cockier, but that's not surprising.,

I look forward to it!