Groves fit to face Smith in Super Series final
GEORGE GROVES has made a miraculous recovery from his dislocated shoulder to take his place in the World Boxing Super Series final against Callum Smith. Groves was on the brink of being replaced by the man he beat in the semi-final of the super-middleweight tournament, Chris Eubank Jnr. Organisers relaxed the schedule after receiving independent medical assurance that Groves will be fit to fight in September. They believed that Smith v Eubank would have been a comparative damp squib. Groves defeated Eubank decisively in February, even though his shoulder was wrenched from its socket in the final round, and will now restore the lustre of his WBA world title to the fight against Liverpool favourite Smith. The September date and arena should be confirmed in the next 24 hours. If Groves defeats Smith, he could fight rival James DeGale, who holds the IBF strap, early next year. Meanwhile Eddie Hearn has set a two-week timeframe for wrapping up negotiations on Anthony Joshua’s heavyweight unification bout with Deontay Wilder — and is set to switch focus to Russia’s Alexander Povetkin, the WBA mandatory challenger, if Wilder refuses to fight in Britain. WBC champion Wilder has offered Joshua £37million to fight in the US, but the WBA, IBF and WBO holder is holding firm for home advantage, with a September date at Wembley, Old Trafford, Twickenham, Cardiff’s Principality Stadium or the London Stadium all under discussion. Joshua’s promoter Hearn told Sportsmail: ‘We are probably about two weeks away from a decision on AJ’s next fight. September has been earmarked for his return and all focus remains on Wilder. ‘AJ and the team believe that after everything that’s been built here, the UK should be the home of this historic undisputed bout and conversations continue with the Wilder camp.’ A Wilder fight in the US is Joshua’s most lucrative option, but he is willing to accept a lesser payday for home advantage.