WBSS Final: George Groves expects an easy victory against Callum Smith

Bradley Cullen

WBSS Final: George Groves expects an easy victory against Callum Smith image

Speaking at the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) Super Middleweight Final press conference at the Landmark Hotel, London, a smartly dressed George Groves spoke confidently about his upcoming fight against Callum Smith. His biggest claim was that he is expecting an easy victory when the two finally step into the ring.

“I’m going to win (and) I’m going to knock him out with a left hook,” Groves said to Sporting News. “I’m not looking past this fight, to be honest. I’m going to pick up the WBC Diamond belt, be the unified world champion and pick up the Ring magazine belt for being number one in the division.”

That Super Middleweight Ring Magazine title has only been held by two previous fighters, Joe Calzaghe and Andre Ward.

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A relaxed Callum Smith also addressed the upcoming fight with Sporting News and stated why he feels he can become a world champion

“I’m in a good place, it’s been a long time coming. I’ve finally got the chance to be a world champion,” Smith said. “I feel I’m the better man and it’s my time.”

After months of speculation about the health of both fighters, the final will take place on September 28, at the indoor King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with an expected sellout crowd of 10,000.

“it’s new, it’s something different but it’s a level playing field for both of us, regardless of where it is," Smith said. "It’s still George Groves (in the ring) and I’ve still got a job to do." 

Smith isn't too concerned about Groves' injured shoulder and doesn't necessarily believe it will play a factor in the fight. 

“I just think he’s a very good fighter," Smith said. "He’s got a lot of strengths, but he’s also got weaknesses and vulnerabilities which he’s shown in his career and it’s my job to use my strength to exploit his weaknesses.”

The World Boxing Super Series was established in 2017 and uses a tournament format to decide a winner. The total prize money is $50 million.  

Kalle Sauerland, chief boxing officer for Comosa AG, explained how the WBSS was birthed over a few beers in 2013 at a Guns N' Roses concert in Mallorca, Spain.

"After the concert, we discussed what was wrong with boxing and the three of us decided that the three different companies would get involved in the sport," Sauerland reflects. "The format is very simple and that’s the beautiful thing about it. But the way it’s presented, substitute fighters, the branding and the way the broadcasting is done, that took a long, long period of time to put together. I think we’ve got it just right. We’ve had a great first season and we can’t wait for the second season.”

Sauerland is excited about the prospect of promoting the Groves vs. Smith fight in Jeddah.

"We’re promoting the biggest Super Middleweight fight of the year," he exclaimed. "We just completed an amazing (WBSS) final in Moscow in front of 24,000 fans and we’re going to have a sellout in Jeddah of 10,000 fans. It will be the first time in this region that such an event will take place, I’m very excited”

While he is admittedly enthralled with the fight itself, the idea that American audiences will have the opportunity to see the fight on DAZN is the big catch. 

“I think we are on the right platform in the U.S.," he said. "(DAZN) is an amazing platform which allows us to get all of the product out there. For us, that was the most important thing. They are so pumped up about the project and we are as well. We did well on the lineups in the first season, but the second season is just red hot! No white hot! It’s unbelievable.”

 

Bradley Cullen