Groves: ‘I’ve got no Manchester demons’
GEORGE Groves insists he has no demons from fighting in Manchester – as he prepares for his first fight in the city since his infamous defeat to Carl Froch back in 2013.
Groves defends his WBA supermiddleweight title against Chris Eubank Jnr at the Manchester Arena tonight in the semi-final of the World Boxing Super Series.
It’s the first time that Groves has fought in the city since he was controversially stopped by former rival Froch in November 2013.
The 29-year-old was notably distraught after failing to win that fight, but he is adamant it won’t be playing on his mind when he once again steps through the ropes at the Arena.
“I’ve had good nights in Manchester. It is a good fighting city and I love the Arena. I’ve had far greater lows than I had on that night against Froch,” he said.
“After that first Froch fight I didn’t really feel like I’d lost. I just felt like ‘oh no, I’ve got to go back to work!’ I was looking forward to a little rest but after that I was just a bit lost. I was like ‘right, what’s the best way to get back to where I need to be?’
“The defeat in the rematch was a far greater low than that night, and the Badou Jack fight too. Those two were the worst. I don’t take anything for granted and I never have.
“The atmosphere in the Manchester Arena is great and it can be very intimidating when it’s full if you are susceptible to getting intimidated, but I think me and Junior are the sort of fighters who will relish the big crowd. It can be really loud in there especially when someone gets dropped.”
Groves believes that the fight against Eubank Jnr will be easier than the fights he had against Froch, Jack, James DeGale and Fedor Chudinov, but Eubank has called his opponent a liar over the claims and thinks Groves is cashing out with this bout.
“I’m not Jack, Chudinov or Froch. He knows what I am and what I bring on the night. He knows he won’t have an answer for it and if he does, it will be too short,” said Eubank Jnr.
“That’s why he’s showing mental signs of weakness. Either he genuinely believes that I’ll be an easier fight and he’s underestimating me which is a fatal error, or he’s fraudulent and a liar. “I think he’s cashing out and I think this is his last hurrah. This is his last payday and then he will think ‘I’ve got enough now to live a comfortable life.’ When I looked into his eyes I felt weakness and regret.”
I’ve had good nights in Manchester. It is a good fighting city and I love the Arena George Groves