George Groves vs. Callum Smith Not Likely To Land in UK
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Ruthless-RKO
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George Groves vs. Callum Smith Not Likely To Land in UK
According to promoter Kalle Sauerland, who is the organizer and top executive of the World Boxing Super Series, revealed that the upcoming tournament final, between countrymen George Groves and Callum Smith, is unlikely to take place in the UK.
Groves and Smith is the final bout of the super middleweight portion of the 2017 tournaments.
Most were expecting the contest to take place in the UK, but that doesn't appear to be the case. There is ongoing speculation that Groves vs. Smith will land in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Sauerland would not reveal which location is the frontunner to host the contest.
"I've heard rumours - Las Vegas, Middle East, lots of rumours," said Sauerland to IFL TV.
"That fight will take place in September and the venue is potentially outside the UK. It's against the odds it's in the UK."
The issue now, is that the WBSS can no longer postpone Groves vs. Smith any further - as new tournaments have been announced and are going to start in the fall. They can't start the new tournaments without finishing up the current season. Currently, the WBSS have announced tournaments for the junior welterweight and bantamweight division - and there is also a third weight class that WBSS organizers have yet to reveal.
Should Groves or Smith withdraw from the final bout - Eubank Jr. is confirmed to be the replacement who is waiting in the wings.
"We have tried our very best to get the original fight on, pushing the date back," added Sauerland.
"But if there's an injury in training now it will be X against Eubank Jr."
Groves and Smith is the final bout of the super middleweight portion of the 2017 tournaments.
Most were expecting the contest to take place in the UK, but that doesn't appear to be the case. There is ongoing speculation that Groves vs. Smith will land in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Sauerland would not reveal which location is the frontunner to host the contest.
"I've heard rumours - Las Vegas, Middle East, lots of rumours," said Sauerland to IFL TV.
"That fight will take place in September and the venue is potentially outside the UK. It's against the odds it's in the UK."
The issue now, is that the WBSS can no longer postpone Groves vs. Smith any further - as new tournaments have been announced and are going to start in the fall. They can't start the new tournaments without finishing up the current season. Currently, the WBSS have announced tournaments for the junior welterweight and bantamweight division - and there is also a third weight class that WBSS organizers have yet to reveal.
Should Groves or Smith withdraw from the final bout - Eubank Jr. is confirmed to be the replacement who is waiting in the wings.
"We have tried our very best to get the original fight on, pushing the date back," added Sauerland.
"But if there's an injury in training now it will be X against Eubank Jr."
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Ruthless-RKO
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Re: George Groves vs. Callum Smith Not Likely To Land in UK
It makes sense for the fight to take place in the UK. 2 of the top super-middleweights in the UK going head-to-head.
I guess there's more money elsewhere?
How well would tickets sell though anywhere other than the UK?
I was thinking if not O2, then an alternative venue would have been Manchester Arena..
But who knows now.
I guess there's more money elsewhere?
How well would tickets sell though anywhere other than the UK?
I was thinking if not O2, then an alternative venue would have been Manchester Arena..
But who knows now.
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forcefraser
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Re: George Groves vs. Callum Smith Not Likely To Land in UK
Imagine if Smith gets injured and Eubank Jr knocks Groves out in the final? That is gonna be controversial
Re: George Groves vs. Callum Smith Not Likely To Land in UK
It seems strange to me that.
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Ruthless-RKO
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Re: George Groves vs. Callum Smith Not Likely To Land in UK
From the O2, to MEN, to a potential stadium fight.. to not outside the UK.
It is strange indeed. Callum has already said, it's strange too, but he'd not bothered where he fights, it means it will be neutral completely and also it's a fight he has wanted and has waited for after being postponed a few times. So, he'll fight anywhere.
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smiling assassin
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Re: George Groves vs. Callum Smith Not Likely To Land in UK
Sorry mate finding it hard to even imagine that as he already had 12 rounds to did it and didn't come close even with groves only having 1 arm in the 12thforcefraser wrote: ↑06 Jul 2018, 03:12 Imagine if Smith gets injured and Eubank Jr knocks Groves out in the final? That is gonna be controversial
Re: George Groves vs. Callum Smith Not Likely To Land in UK
What if Groves is injured from the first round and Eubank Jr. has actually learned from the first fight and become better.smiling assassin wrote: ↑06 Jul 2018, 05:01Sorry mate finding it hard to even imagine that as he already had 12 rounds to did it and didn't come close even with groves only having 1 arm in the 12th
It's not too unrealistic.
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keithmoonhangover
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Re: George Groves vs. Callum Smith Not Likely To Land in UK
Horse wrote: ↑07 Jul 2018, 05:31What if Groves is injured from the first round and Eubank Jr. has actually learned from the first fight and become better.smiling assassin wrote: ↑06 Jul 2018, 05:01Sorry mate finding it hard to even imagine that as he already had 12 rounds to did it and didn't come close even with groves only having 1 arm in the 12th
It's not too unrealistic.
Re: George Groves vs. Callum Smith Not Likely To Land in UK
You are a complete fool.
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keithmoonhangover
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Re: George Groves vs. Callum Smith Not Likely To Land in UK
Re: George Groves vs. Callum Smith Not Likely To Land in UK
Why are you acting like that was my response to a withering, insightful & witty post, rather than my response to the simple posting of an insulting emoticon?
Your posting of insulting emoticons is not particularly impressive.
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keithmoonhangover
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Re: George Groves vs. Callum Smith Not Likely To Land in UK
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danconnollyeire
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Re: George Groves vs. Callum Smith Not Likely To Land in UK
Anyone who gets that insulted by emojis could probably do with some help
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keithmoonhangover
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Re: George Groves vs. Callum Smith Not Likely To Land in UK
danconnollyeire wrote: ↑07 Jul 2018, 07:22Anyone who gets that insulted by emojis could probably do with some help
Re: George Groves vs. Callum Smith Not Likely To Land in UK
Still bitter?danconnollyeire wrote: ↑07 Jul 2018, 07:22Anyone who gets that insulted by emojis could probably do with some help
Re: George Groves vs. Callum Smith Not Likely To Land in UK
Stupid idea to have this anywhere but the UK! Kalle must've been dabbling in some of the good stuff again 
Re: George Groves vs. Callum Smith Not Likely To Land in UK
Coked right up ain't he
Saudi Arabia
Get it on in the uk ffs
Get it on in the uk ffs
Re: George Groves vs. Callum Smith Not Likely To Land in UK
I don't know about the 02, but this fight sells out the MEN easy.
Putting it in Saudi is a world away from each fighters fan base, both in location as well as economic bracket.
Putting it in Saudi is a world away from each fighters fan base, both in location as well as economic bracket.
Re: George Groves vs. Callum Smith Not Likely To Land in UK
Farcical if this isn't in the UK.
I was hoping for Manchester as I would go to it.
I was hoping for Manchester as I would go to it.
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leejonesjnr
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Re: George Groves vs. Callum Smith Not Likely To Land in UK
The O2 holds slightly fewer people than the MEN for Boxing I believe and I imagine Groves sells more than Smith, though that’s just based on my impression not any data, so I’d expect it to do good numbers at either venue.
Presumably if it’s in Saudi it will be in front of 1000 people in a high end hotel.
Re: George Groves vs. Callum Smith Not Likely To Land in UK
Pure enthuisiastic
Re: George Groves vs. Callum Smith Not Likely To Land in UK
They should fight in Tampa Bay.
There's a Liverpool supporters club and a Chelsea supporters club there.
There's a Liverpool supporters club and a Chelsea supporters club there.