ROUND-BY-ROUND

ROUND ONE

Groves comes forward to a huge roar with the opening bell. He holds his left out, feinting and lands the first jab. He lands the second, it’s Groves’ lead controlling the first session as Eubank stands off waiting, biding his time.

ROUND TWO

Groves does land his right cross in the second. Eubank retreats. Groves marches forward eagerly. As the round winds on Eubank has a moment wading in close, successfully catching him with right hooks, reminders of how dangerous he can be.

ROUND THREE

Eubank reaches forward to catch Groves. The champion fires back from the rigging, under sudden pressure. But Eubank is cut, he has to blink blood away but has a good round.

ROUND FOUR

The fourth round is illuminated by bursts of action. Groves blasts in a hard right hand and Eubank has to grind in close. He catches Groves with a left hook before the end of the session, but doesn’t capitalise.

ROUND FIVE

Groves catches him with a left hook but Eubank is rock solid beneath it and lunges back at him. Groves has to counter a left with a one-two and twists Eubank away when he tries to push him back into a corner.

ROUND SIX

The champion ties him up and puts his jab back to work. But as the round wears on Eubank does get through up close and finishes the session landing a right hook.

ROUND SEVEN

Groves brings Eubank on to a telling shot, a heavy right cross as Eubank launches himself forward. It hurts him and the blood is spreading across Junior’s face.

ROUND EIGHT

The champion continues the punishment. He bangs in hard shots, a cruel one-two hitting home. Eubank springs at him with a left hook. They hurt one another as they wade in.

ROUND NINE

It’s a messy round. Eubank plunges on, leaning forward as he charges in headlong. Groves looks ragged at times. The work on the inside has not been clean.

ROUND 10

The session is explosive. Groves is bringing in heavy shots, knocking Eubank back. Junior loses his footing momentarily.

ROUND 11

Groves hits in his jab, and manoeuvres on to the back foot, unleashing thunderous back hands. Eubank remains persistent, barrelling after him.

ROUND 12

Eubank needs something explosive. He’s desperate, winging in punches. Groves’ shoulder dislocates to leave him fighting one handed. Despite a storm of blows, Groves forges his way through, the final act the kind of fight the crowd wants.