Round-by-Round: WBSS 168 Final - George Groves vs. Callum Smith - 28 September 2018

[leejonesjnr]

There was a really hard body shot in that finishing flurry from Smith

Yeah great shot, only saw it in the replay

[Grilling Machine]

A couple of rounds before that happened I began to think of the wisdom of telling Smith to look for hard left counters to Groves' right. I wasn't entirely sure that Smith wouldn't walk onto a shot on that advice, but it was there for him.

The trick was to keep the left counters relatively short as Groves came forward, being careful not to overextend just because you can see potential openings.

[samwbr]

There was a really hard body shot in that finishing flurry from Smith

Yeah great shot, only saw it in the replay

George didn't need the one to the back of his head when he was on the floor

[samwbr]

Didn't expect Groves to quit. He was gutsy. He got caught good though.

Quit? FFS.

[Grilling Machine]

The last shot was clearly too much in retrospect, but in the heat of the moment it seemed as though Groves might turn his head onto it for the guaranteed finish. It looked like Groves was trying to duck out of the way as the full effect of the bodyshot kicked in, and his head fell away rather than towards as Smith launched.

It's definitely something to note to avoid in future.

[Stuffs]

Fair play Smith absolutely had him. I'm far from a fan of the Smith family, but he won by a mile tonight.

Had him up by two, but could easily have been wider, some I gave to Groves were razor thin. If someone had Smith + 4/5 I wouldn't really argue.

The end looked like it was coming from around R2 onwards.

Comprehensive for Smith. Well done. Didn't think he had that in him.

[skanksta]

There was a really hard body shot in that finishing flurry from Smith

Yeah great shot, only saw it in the replay

In the slow-mo you can see the blood from Smith's glove stain the spot - brutal

[Ruthless-RKO]

[samwbr]

I had Smith up by 4 rounds.

[Grilling Machine]

The fact the bodyshot was semi-glancing seemed to do more damage than had it been fuller; possibly. Really ripped Groves' abs.

[jameswilson]

My reading of the fight up to that point was Groves was possibly landing the more shots but Smith seemed to have Groves stunned or reacting to his shots with a level of regularity. While Smith may well have been a few rounds down (if you were favouring Groves's work) on some scorecards I kinda felt like 5 rounds left was plenty of time to get to Groves and have him over. One of those fights where someone is in control despite (possibly) being behind, perhaps not quite on the level of Joshua v Povetkin last weekend tho.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Scorecards!!!



2 had Groves up. 1 even and 1 Smith..

I think Smith was comfortable ahead.

[samwbr]

5-1 Groves

[Ruthless-RKO]

5-1 Groves

I know. Tell me about it..

[rhino222]

i had smith 58-56 up after 6. i gave groves 4 and 5th. thats all.

[Grilling Machine]

I understand cards in favour of both.

I felt as if Groves' work to the body equalised Smith's apparently superior fitness while mitigating his reach somewhat, and his feints were giving him the ring freedom to look the more threatening if it went to a shootout.

But then I felt Smith was covering much better, especially after throwing, and taking fewer chances, standing him in better stead for the later rounds while making Groves look a little shaky after winning exchanges.

[skanksta]

5-1 Groves

I know. Tell me about it..

Two 59-55s - one for Smith, one for Groves

[Grilling Machine]

For what it's worth, I'd have probably had it 3-1-2 to Smith.

[cfang]

How on earth does Smith make super middle? He dwarfed groves. Impressive win though. Picked his punches well.

[Ruthless-RKO]

How on earth does Smith make super middle? He dwarfed groves. Impressive win though. Picked his punches well.

Probably doesn’t kill him either. He looks good.

Some saying Groves may move up.

[BrumBlue]

I had it 3 each in fairness. 5th and 6th I thought Groves was starting to get into a bit of Rhythmn but that was brutal finishing from Smith.

Reckon they’d be much appetite for a cash out fight for both Groves and DeGale? It’s the only fight I can see either really getting themselves up for at this stage of their career. Both past their best obviously but the animosity is still there and the build up would be good entertainment.

[handsofstone]

Great performance from Smith and a top notch finish, cant argue with that, he looked controlled tonight, measured and boxed a disciplined fight, jabbed well, never let Groves get any real control of the fight and with Groves leaving that left hand low as always, Smith found a home for the right early, Groves just looked a bit out of sorts, flashes of his best, some quality jabs, countered off the ropes to the body well, had more success with the right to Smith's body than his head

After Smith having most of his success with his right cross and wobbling Groves early with it, it was surprising to see it was the left hook which got the ball rolling for the finish, once he had Groves hurt there was a real intent from Smith but it was controlled, head shots, body shots, the uppercut up through the middle, he just battered Groves to the stoppage, you do wonder if that last shot which hit Groves when he was down maybe took out the last of his fight?

Glad to see the tournament finally over, its been decent the 168 one, not as good as the Cruisers obviously but some alright fights and this was probably the best, I tipped Groves but not in the slightest surprised Smith was able to do that tonight

[samwbr]

How on earth does Smith make super middle? He dwarfed groves. Impressive win though. Picked his punches well.

Probably doesn’t kill him either. He looks good.

Some saying Groves may move up.

I hope he retires, proper killers at LHW.

[Deserter]

How on earth does Smith make super middle? He dwarfed groves. Impressive win though. Picked his punches well.

Probably doesn’t kill him either. He looks good.

Some saying Groves may move up.

I hope he retires, proper killers at LHW.

I agree. Genuinely thought Groves would have too much for Smith and would comfortably outbox him. Would love for him to call it a day now after a really good career.

[KiwiRider]

Probably doesn’t kill him either. He looks good.

Some saying Groves may move up.

I hope he retires, proper killers at LHW.

I agree. Genuinely thought Groves would have too much for Smith and would comfortably outbox him. Would love for him to call it a day now after a really good career.

Come on Puddin', He's only 30.
Rematch with either DeGale or Eubank would be fine, heck, this fight was close enough for a decent rematch isn't it?