We’ve got a fight.
Both George Groves and Chris Eubank Jr hit their targets for their World Boxing Super Series super-middleweight semi-final, with the latter coming in heavier ahead of their clash on Saturday night.
Groves, who will be defending his WBA super-middleweight title, weighed in at 11st 13lbs 2oz. while his opponent tipped the scales at 11st 13lbs 10oz.
Groves will be the bigger man come fight night, however, and he remained stony-faced when Eubank Jr, whose IBO super-middleweight title will also be on the line, rattled off some last-minute trash talk.
Eubank Jr is the betting favourite going into the contest and that’s a fact that Groves doesn’t fully understand.
“I’m excited, I’ve made weight and now we’re ready to go,” Groves told ITV Box Office. “I’ve been there before. There’s no problem whatsoever.
Here's that face-off again! Tomorrow the day is finally here as @StGeorgeGroves takes on @ChrisEubankJr 🥊
Who ya got?
You can buy Saturday’s showdown for £16.95 – for more information visit https://t.co/Pkmyc4VEUU pic.twitter.com/uXCRDiFJLh
— ITV Boxing (@ITVBoxing) February 16, 2018
“I don’t try to work out why things happen the way they do these days. There is no rhyme or reason. There must be people putting money on Eubank, but sadly they’re going to lose it.
“I’ve been here, done this so many times now. I know what works for me and I’m winning, so I’m good.
“I’m in the prime of my career, I’m fighting better than ever, so it’s just another fight.”
The pair came nose-to-nose in what was one of the most intense face-offs in recent memory but it shocked nobody to see ‘Next Gen’ continue the psychological warfare.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOnLzB_u_KQ&feature=youtu.be
It was difficult to make out what Eubank Jr, the son of former two-weight world boxing champion Chris Eubank, had said to his opponent but, thankfully, he revealed his final message to Groves to the media after the weigh-in ceremony.
“I told him he’s not ready. George ain’t ready, I can see it in his eyes,” Eubank Jr said. “He walked in here with his shades on. He doesn’t want to be here. He wants to get put into retirement, so that’s what we’re going to do on Saturday night. I’m taking that belt home.
“Do I look nervous? Do I look nervous to you guys? That belt is coming home with me, trust me on that. This is the biggest fight of my career. I want this more than anything I’ve ever wanted in my life.
“George, we’re just on different levels, we’re on different plains, he’s in a different stage of his life.
“I don’t think of retirement. Retirement is not a word that even comes into my mind. I have got so much more to achieve in my career.
“I think this is George’s last little hurrah before he settles down and has his family, and relaxes for the rest of his life. I’m going to help him on that path. George Groves is getting knocked out cold.”
