BoxRec

George Groves has backed Paul Smith to claim world honours and further extend Britain's domination of the super middleweight division.

Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports, Groves, who defeated 'Smigga' back in 2011, said: "This is a great opportunity for Smith and I genuinely wish him well.

"Of course he is going to take this fight. The German fans have seen him lose twice to Abraham so he has a good enough reputation in Germany.

"It might even be better than his reputation over here, so of course they are going to look to make this fight with Zeuge, it makes complete sense.

"Now Smith has got to get his head down, get screwed on because he hasn't got years left in him, but if he wins this, it will open up doors for him.

"He's been a great ambassador for our sport and is good for British boxing, so if he does pull this off and become a world champion, no-one can take that away from him."

A win for Smith, would mean a mandated fight between him and Groves in future.

If Zeuge is sh1t enough to lose to Paul, if Eubank beats Abraham and if Callum wins his fight later this year then we could have a Super Six type tournament at 168 featuring exclusively British fighters five of whom would be "world champions". Add Rocky from Stocky or Martin Murray to make up the numbers and we've got some big domestic showdowns to enjoy, all of em on SKY PPV

Something to look forward to

I don't get the boxing world acknowledge wba normal as a world championship belt. The same organisation has a belt higher up the food chain for the real champion.

Should it be any more respected than Eubanks IBO, cos that's not a world title either.

Quigg, cleverly, Jacobs, all seemed to get world champion respect with this belt. It's not right for me

He'll do well to put zeuge away.. it's possible but I don't see it, that said it's the best chance he'll have.

Ossyrules wrote:I don't get the boxing world acknowledge wba normal as a world championship belt. The same organisation has a belt higher up the food chain for the real champion.

Should it be any more respected than Eubanks IBO, cos that's not a world title either.

Quigg, cleverly, Jacobs, all seemed to get world champion respect with this belt. It's not right for me

It's about who you beat for it and with it.

The title itself matters very little.

what a kick in the ginger bollux that would be for Groves if he was mandated to fight Smith again! Waste of fuckin time

Horse wrote:

Ossyrules wrote:I don't get the boxing world acknowledge wba normal as a world championship belt. The same organisation has a belt higher up the food chain for the real champion.

Should it be any more respected than Eubanks IBO, cos that's not a world title either.

Quigg, cleverly, Jacobs, all seemed to get world champion respect with this belt. It's not right for me

It's about who you beat for it and with it.

The title itself matters very little.

You're right to a certain degree, but when you get guys like smith claiming he would have fulfilled a lifetime ambition of being a world champion, it's just not true, he's effectively number 2 in that governing body.

What's the difference between that and WBC silver?

4 recognised belts is too much we don't need a 5th.

Ossyrules wrote:You're right to a certain degree, but when you get guys like smith claiming he would have fulfilled a lifetime ambition of being a world champion, it's just not true, he's effectively number 2 in that governing body.

What's the difference between that and WBC silver?

4 recognised belts is too much we don't need a 5th.

Is it any worse than Liam Smith getting to call himself an ex-world champion?

Horse wrote:

Ossyrules wrote:You're right to a certain degree, but when you get guys like smith claiming he would have fulfilled a lifetime ambition of being a world champion, it's just not true, he's effectively number 2 in that governing body.

What's the difference between that and WBC silver?

4 recognised belts is too much we don't need a 5th.

Is it any worse than Liam Smith getting to call himself an ex-world champion?

Fair point. Winning a vacant belt against someone who doesn't deserve the fight is also terrible, but it's one step up on the ladder for me by virtue of it was for an actual belt. Not a belt that the governing body made up to generate interest for what should be a rankings fight

Ossyrules wrote:Fair point. Winning a vacant belt against someone who doesn't deserve the fight is also terrible, but it's one step up on the ladder for me by virtue of it was for an actual belt. Not a belt that the governing body made up to generate interest for what should be a rankings fight

I'd say Quigg's, Cleverly's & Jacobs' WBA regular reigns were/are all more credible world title reigns than Liam Smith's.

Other people might disagree, but a WBA regular champion can be a far more credible world champion than a full WBC, WBA, IBF or WBO champion if they fight better opposition.

Horse wrote:

Ossyrules wrote:Fair point. Winning a vacant belt against someone who doesn't deserve the fight is also terrible, but it's one step up on the ladder for me by virtue of it was for an actual belt. Not a belt that the governing body made up to generate interest for what should be a rankings fight

I'd say Quigg's, Cleverly's & Jacobs' WBA regular reigns were/are all more credible world title reigns than Liam Smith's.

Other people might disagree, but a WBA regular champion can be a far more credible world champion than a full WBC, WBA, IBF or WBO champion if they fight better opposition.

Jacobs and quigg were for sure I agree a better short run of fights.

But my point is they shouldn't be reigns at all. a good win is a good win, whether there's a belt or not on the line. But there has to be a world championship belt at the top to aspire too. 4 is too many, 5 if you include the wba normal.

Quigg had Rigo above him in the same governing body. Didn't pursue that fight but went for Frampton and lost. That was quiggs real wt shot imo

Jacobs stepped up vs ggg but fell short

Cleverly was a world champ but got beat. Beating brahmer for the normal, whilst kovalev, ward and Stevenson are at the top of the division. He's not a genuine world champ in my view.

Paul smith won't be either.

There are guys like Liam smith, Bellew etc that cash in and win a vacant belt. They're not great champions, and in smiths case not deserving, but at least it's a proper belt and timing has favoured them. They'll get found out the same by a true elite fighter

All those belts are meaningless, it's whom you face that matters. I'll be damned, I agree with Horse.

Horse wrote:

Ossyrules wrote:Fair point. Winning a vacant belt against someone who doesn't deserve the fight is also terrible, but it's one step up on the ladder for me by virtue of it was for an actual belt. Not a belt that the governing body made up to generate interest for what should be a rankings fight

I'd say Quigg's, Cleverly's & Jacobs' WBA regular reigns were/are all more credible world title reigns than Liam Smith's.

Other people might disagree, but a WBA regular champion can be a far more credible world champion than a full WBC, WBA, IBF or WBO champion if they fight better opposition.

I agree

Same goes for the lineal issue. Having that label doesn't necessarily make someone 'THE man' or the most credible 'title' holder in the division.

crusader wrote:

Horse wrote:

Ossyrules wrote:Fair point. Winning a vacant belt against someone who doesn't deserve the fight is also terrible, but it's one step up on the ladder for me by virtue of it was for an actual belt. Not a belt that the governing body made up to generate interest for what should be a rankings fight

I'd say Quigg's, Cleverly's & Jacobs' WBA regular reigns were/are all more credible world title reigns than Liam Smith's.

Other people might disagree, but a WBA regular champion can be a far more credible world champion than a full WBC, WBA, IBF or WBO champion if they fight better opposition.

I agree

Same goes for the lineal issue. Having that label doesn't necessarily make someone 'THE man' or the most credible 'title' holder in the division.

Lineal is beyond outdated. It's all just opinion when it changes hands. The Light Heavyweight champion will be the winner Saturday night.