Gutknecht in hospital after Groves loss

Kazakhstan’s Eduard Gutknecht has undergone surgery after falling ill following his super-middleweight defeat by George Groves at London’s Wembley Arena on Friday. The English boxer beat the 34-year-old Gutknecht on a unanimous decision, with the losing fighter then taken to hospital. Gutkneckt, based in Germany, has been sedated and will continue to be monitored, according to the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC). He took plenty of punishment before Groves, 28, was declared a 119-109, 119-109 and 119-110 winner on the three judges’ scorecards. Victory left Groves on course for a fourth shot at a world title some time next year. A cut opened round Gutknecht’s swollen left eye in the ninth round but he made it through to the final bell and appeared to be taking everything in as the judges’ scores were announced. But his condition worsened in the dressing room and he was then taken to hospital. — AFP