EUBANK SNR BLASTED FOR ‘PROTECT GROVES’ TAUNT

GEORGE GROVES said Chris Eubank Senior’s “disgraceful” claims that he needs the referee’s protection have backfired.

Eubank Senior has caused controversy by urging official Michael Alexander to be ready to stop tonight’s fight to prevent Groves from suffering a similar fate to

Nick Blackwell. The 27-year-old suffered a bleed on his brain when he fought Groves’ opponent, Eubank Junior, two years ago.

Eubank Senior said: “George is in deep water. Junior is a shark and the referee just needs to be watchful of both men. I’ve had to bring this up because of what happened to Nick Blackwell. I’m not ashamed of bringing that up. It happened to Michael Watson.”

Groves said: “He’s trying to manipulate the referee’s mindset. He was doing it in a disgraceful way by taking advantage of Nick.”