Eubank: I don’t hate George Groves but he’s standing in the way of my destiny
TWO fighting Englishmen will cash in to the tune of £1.5million each tonight but Chris Eubank Jnr suspects George Groves is also cashing out on his career.
Eubank, the challenger to world super-middleweight champion Groves, says: ‘This is George’s last hurrah, his last payday which will give him enough to live comfortably for the rest of his life.’
What the emergent son of an iconic father may not have factored into his equation is that the winner in the Manchester Arena will go on to cash a cheque around double that amount in the final of this inaugural World Boxing Super Series tournament.
If the motivation for Groves to enter this event has been to bankroll his retirement then the extra millions on offer may serve to redouble his incentive to win this Battle of Britain.
In a £20m total purse structure more akin to tennis and golf than boxing, each man has already pocketed £1m for competing in the quarter-finals.
The even split of £3m in the semis will be followed by £4.3m for the winner of the June final, £2.2m for the loser.
Promoter Kalle Sauerland explains: ‘We wanted to break the mould in boxing. The payper-view TV sales will not alter the figures. Roger Federer does not earn more if Swiss television gets high ratings for Wimbledon. Like him, our boxers are receiving pre-set prize money.’
One welcome spin-off has been a minimalising of the trash-talking often engaged in selling fights. Groves has been more laid-back in the build-up to this confrontation with Eubank, who sees that as a sign of sub-conscious surrender: ‘When I look into his eyes I see weakness and regret. He’s there to be dominated. He’s here to be beaten. Yes, I see him cashing out. If he gets into a tough position in this fight it is likely he will fold.’
Groves refutes that, saying: ‘This fight sells itself ... the public are so excited that all the tickets (20,000) sold out within minutes of going online.’
As for him folding, Groves adds: ‘I hit harder than anyone he’s fought and when my punches find a home it is he who will crumble.’
Junior reminds him: ‘I’m younger, fresher, faster and he has more miles on the clock.’
Saint George counters: ‘At 29 I’m only a year older and I’m the one with the experience of big fights and huge events.’
Groves insists he has no qualms about returning to the venue for the first time since he lost the first of his world-title challenges to Carl Froch by a stoppage which he and many observers considered premature. He says: ‘I felt I was robbed, not that I had really lost. I love this arena.’
Despite the intensity Eubank feels about their rivalry, he says: ‘Do I dislike George? No. I’m neutral. I’m not the type of man who dislikes people. I keep my emotions out of boxing. I don’t hate him. It is just unfortunate for him that he’s the one standing in the way of my destiny.’
Not only the wider public but also the boxing community are struggling to predict which of them is telling the truth about knocking the other out.
Following a late surge of wagers on Groves being stopped late, the bookies make Eubank the marginal favourite.
To which Groves says: ‘He knows his only chance will be to bum-rush me and hope a flurry of punches gets the ref to step in. Maybe at the start. Maybe near the end when he expects me to tire. Whenever it comes, he will be open for me to take him out.’
The contrasts in style and attitude between them should ensure a thriller. The Groves jab versus the Eubank swarm. The Saint is stronger and heavier handed as the natural super-middleweight but supposed to fade in the last third.
Neither is exceptionally mobile and their willingness to take shots in order to land the more telling blows should set this up for a shootout.
Chris Eubank Snr has no doubts as to the future of his son, whom he describes as a phenomenon. Normally I am not one to argue with Mr Eubank but on this occasion I beg to differ.
A mantra of the ring is that a good big ’un beats a good little ’un. That differential is likely to prevail through a narrow points decision in favour of Groves.
Groves v Eubank live from 7pm on ITV Box Office, at £16.95.