In the last 18 months or so, we have seen some what of a renaissance in boxing. There have been some excellent match ups.
Not to mention several unification bouts and it feels like the best are actually fighting the best.
In keeping with this current feel good factor in boxing. Recently, two new Super Six tournaments were announced. One in the cruiserweight division and the other in the super middleweight division.
As you all already know. The one previous Super Six tournament was held from 2009-2011 and it’s what really launched the career of the now recently retired Andre Ward, when he defeated Carl Froch in the final.
However, although there are some similarities. That tournament was more of a round robin, league type format that many thought lasted too long.
This one is a straight knockout. Starting from the quarter finals and the eventual two finalists will have three fights in only seven months.
Although the previous Super Six tournament seemed more open and harder to predict with the likes of Ward. Froch. Kessler. Dirrell. Abraham and Taylor.
This one, especially in Britain. Looks like it’s heading for two mouth-watering bouts between the three British fighters, who many expected to be competing for the title and the coveted Muhammad Ali trophy.
I’m sure everyone knows the three fighters are Callum Smith, who is already into the semi finals and awaiting the winner between Juergen Braehmer and Rob Brant, and of course, unless you’ve been living under and rock in the past few days. The other semi will be between Chris Eubank Jr and George Groves.
To me this Eubank Jr v Groves fight really looks a tremendous match up.
The only way I can describe why I am so excited. I will have to steal an age-old phrase. “Styles makes fights”.
Both of these fighters, even though are skilled, thoughtful boxers. Are aggressive, come forward fighters, who do not like to take a back step. This is what makes this fight intriguing.
Though Groves sometimes likes to counter. I feel both will come out and look to dictate, which means both will be forced onto the front foot, which could turn the fight into a bit of a slugfest.
What makes the match up even better, is that in both quarter-final bouts, they finished their opponents relatively early, in equally impressive fashion.
Eubank Jr looked devastating as he travelled to Stuttgart to throw hands with Avni Yildirim, knocking him out with a superb shot in the third round after a flurry of punches coming off the ropes.
This weekend, Groves had to overcome a brave and game Jamie Cox, who certainly came to fight, in another exciting yet short fight. Groves boxed well, more on the counter but was aggressive and picked his shots well.
The end came in the fourth when Groves found a beautiful body shot that dropped Cox before the ref waved it off.
Obviously, Eubank Jr was at ringside and came into the ring after the finish to speak with Groves, while they announced their fight for January.
There was also talk about them sparring previously, but I was happy to see both fighters playing that down, not revealing anything from the sessions and trying to use it to score any points. Both basically taking nothing from it, as so it should be.
It’s amazing to think in just three short months these two exciting British boxers will be facing off against each other. With Eubank Jr at 28 and Groves at 29. Both are in their primes and both are feeling, looking and talking confidently about their chances.
I am a fan of both fighters and believe this is too close to call. They really do match up very closely in every category. I would say Groves may just edge it on power due to being at Super Middleweight longer.
But Eubank Jr would edge it in speed and footwork. I would also say Eubank Jr edges it in defence but Groves in fighting IQ, due to his ability to stick to different game plans. But again, you can argue these points either way for both fighters.
It really is a superb fight to look forward to and I believe due to what’s at stake.
Their personalities, their pride, the fact that both are British, are in their primes, not to mention have momentum with them.
I cannot see this being anything other than a really early contender for fight to the year. I will even go so far to say, this fight could even rival the old British classics of the Eubank, Benn, Watson days.
I feel the match up is that close and could be that good. And if all that wasn’t mouth-watering enough. Whoever wins, will go on to the final to a possible fight against Callum Smith….Happy Days.
