Both fighters would have been nursing some aches and pains on Sunday morning.
While George Groves was in control from the opening bell in his World Boxing Super Series super-middleweight semi-final against Chris Eubank Jr on Saturday night, his evening was not without issue as he suffered a painful shoulder injury in the final round.
Having outboxed Eubank Jr for the duration of the contest, opening up a nasty cut on the eye of the betting favourite, Groves had to dig deep in the final moments to ensure that his opponent wouldn’t steal the spoils with one shot to an unprotected chin.
As he drew back his left hand following a jab, Groves clearly acknowledged that his shoulder had popped out of its socket.
Where @StGeorgeGroves dislocates shoulder. #GrovesVsEubank pic.twitter.com/sdHfb7y62p
— Robert (@REGZY1) February 17, 2018
The 29-year-old tried his best to sport a poker face but he couldn’t carry his left hand as comfortably as he had been up to that point and Eubank Jr pounced, only for Groves to use every drop of savvy to see him through safely to the judges’ scorecards.
Doubt was immediately cast on whether or not ‘Saint George’ would be fit for the tournament final, scheduled for June 2, but Groves suggested that the World Boxing Super Series organisers could rearrange the date if he needed more time to recover.
“If the date needs to be changed I’m sure the tournament would decide it is better to delay it to get me into the final because it wouldn’t be the same,” Groves told BBC Radio 5 live on Sunday.
— George Groves (@StGeorgeGroves) February 18, 2018
Callum Smith will meet Germany’s Jürgen Brähmer next weekend in order to decide who will face Groves in the final.
And while the extent of Groves’ injury remains to be seen, he is confident that he will make it to the ring.
He added: “That said, 2 June might still work. We haven’t had that information yet.
“The shoulder feels great after being put back in place. I’m confident that I will be challenging for the Muhammad Ali trophy. This is going to be my trophy – I want it.”
