BoxRec

George Groves is confident of getting a shot at the WBA ‘Super’ world super-middleweight title next year.

The Londoner will firstly face Eduard Gutknecht on Friday night at Wembley Arena as he makes the second defence of his WBA 'International' title.

The three-time world title challenger is consequently ranked at No 3 with the WBA and is hopeful of getting a shot at the 'Super' title should he defeat Gutknecht on Friday.

The WBA 'Super' title was recently vacated by Felix Sturm and Russian Fedor Chudinov - who contentiously lost the title to Sturm in February - will likely be Groves' opponent.

Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports, Groves said: "The WBA is definitely my preferred route at the minute, especially when you look at the situation regarding all of the other belts.

"The IBF and WBC straps are tied up with James Degale and Badou Jack fighting with Callum Smith waiting in the wings for the latter, while the WBO have just announced eliminators which do not include me."

"The WBA is the way that I'm going and there isn't a super champ at the minute, so my ideal plan is to face Chudinov for the vacant belt - that's what I will be pushing for."

I'd fancy him to beat Chudinov and Sturm. Actually, excluding the current title holders, Degale, Ramirez and Jack. I think he'd beat most in the division to be honest or at least they'd be 50-50 fights.

I think he'd comfortably beat Chud.

tigermoth87 wrote:I'd fancy him to beat Chudinov and Sturm. Actually, excluding the current title holders, Degale, Ramirez and Jack. I think he'd beat most in the division to be honest or at least they'd be 50-50 fights.

I wouldn't dispute that, Groves gets a lot of stick but he is still a very good fighter.
If young Shayne can get the best out of him there is no reason why he can't pick up the WBA strap.

I dont think Chudinov fight will be for championship. Although from WBA you can expect anything. I see Groves also beat Zeuge who is a WBA regular.

I rate Chudinov but I'd make Groves favourite.

Similar styles but Groves has far better quality. But he was favourite against Jack in a fight he should of won and he switched off.

Chudinov very one paced and comes in straight lines. IF Groves varies his work he should win.

Groves-DeGale becomes a really big rematch all of a sudden.

Tarkus wrote:I dont think Chudinov fight will be for championship. Although from WBA you can expect anything. I see Groves also beat Zeuge who is a WBA regular.

Zeuge fight won't happen, Sauerlands don't like putting their top guys against each other.

tigermoth87 wrote:I'd fancy him to beat Chudinov and Sturm. Actually, excluding the current title holders, Degale, Ramirez and Jack. I think he'd beat most in the division to be honest or at least they'd be 50-50 fights.

I reckon he'd beat AA, the Jack fight was very close so it's not like he's got pie in the sky dreams, he's definitely a contender.

Groves has the talent but he is starting to strike me as one of them 'nearlyt' fighters.

Twice he should arguably have won a world title and both times he ended up losing!

I think going to Shane Mac, will help bring the best out of George. He was on his way there, split with booth, had the fight of his life v froch at the men, then got the rematch, but lost his way after being cobra'd. I think if he had a rematch with jack he probably would win.

I think groves by the middle of 2017 could be a belt holder and then look for the winner of the degale/jack/smith situation. I could see degale v groves 2 at the o2 on PPV unifying the IBF/WBC/WBA belts and possibly the ring belt

Groves lost highly competitive fights to the divisional number one at the time and a current top 3 guy. The first Degale fight was also a big match for him, and while Degale has improved Groves at least showed he could put it together in that context.

I'd think he'd win a title fight handily if it came against someone like Sturm or Chud.

Chudinov should be fighting Zeuge to consolidate the WBA titles.

But it's the WBA so they will probably make someone an interim champion.

Groves beats Chudinov and Zeuge IMo

George needs a good performance on Friday. Hopefully a stoppage as well. If he manages this then I don't see why not. Murray was a decent win but I think he found it too easy at times and went through the motions in some rounds.

Groves looks to have finally exorcised the Froch demons since he's been with Shane Mac - just wish he'd made the switch sooner. He looked a shadow of himself under Fitzpatrick & at that point I was doubting he could come again but he's back to what he was now - you can see he feels the same way even in his interviews.

He'll get his World Title and as long as politics doesn't get in the way, there's no reason it won't be in 2017.

I hope he wins it, he's good enough and should have beaten Jack, has beaten DeGale (albeit years ago now) would for my money beat the others, he should be world champion but now entirely in his hands with the belt vacant.

He's earned another shot on his last two wins alone. Certainly worth more than some 20-0 boxers who's boxed weak opposition and Groves has looked good in the process. The win over Eduard Gunthect was a real masterclass.