Don’t have final bash without me
Crock Groves warns tourney chiefs after dumping Eubank
GEORGE GROVES has warned the organisers of the Ali Trophy they can’t have the Final without him.
Groves is doubtful for the super-middleweight showpiece at London’s O2 on June 2 after dislocating his shoulder in the last round of his unanimous points win over Chris Eubank Jnr.
The WBA Super champ does not yet know how long he will be out – but claims the World Boxing Super Series should delay the Final for him because he is the No.1 seed.
Groves said: “Who wants to watch the WBSS final without me in it? If the dates need to be changed slightly I’m sure they’ll do that.
“We’ll get the medical report first and then see. If I was them I wouldn’t want to replace me.”
Doctors put Groves’s shoulder back in when he went to hospital on Saturday night and he is due to have more scans in the next 24 hours.
He added: “The doctors said it looked good and they couldn’t see any floating bone. If you break that ball and socket that’s a lot more trouble.
“I’m going to go and see a specialist and have more MRI scans so should have a full idea by Tuesday.”
Groves’s promoter and tournament chief Kalle Sauerland claims they can’t delay the Final by more than a couple of weeks because the next tournament will be launched in June.
Sauerland, who suggested Groves’s rival James DeGale as a possible replacement, said: “If it’s a case of a few weeks then of course we would look at moving the Final.
“But if it’s a question of months there’s not a chance. It simply can’t be because the tournament moves in a cycle. Those are the unfortunate circumstances but Wimbledon moves on without Federer.”
Groves would be a huge loss to the Final and he delivered a polished tactical display against Eubank Jnr as he moved behind
his jab to frustrate the challenger. Eubank Jnr resorted to rushing Groves, often swinging and missing, and the champ comfortably outlanded him 117 to 92 punches. Groves said: “In a fitness test he’d beat me but in a fight that means nothing. I’m more efficient, bigger and better.” Groves taught Eubank Jnr some harsh lessons and he should consider appointing a trainer and going back down to middleweight after this second pro loss. Eubank Jnr, 28, whose vision was hampered for nine rounds by a cut above his eight eye, trained himself and wrapped his own hands in a bizarre first for a world title fight. He said: “In a defeat there are always things you should look to change. What those things are I don’t know yet.” Eubank Snr admits Groves deserved to win. He said: “He didn’t perform. He’s a good fighter but didn’t show any combinations, just power.” Test reckoning since the Scotland tour of Australia and Fiji last summer. Edinburgh prop Nel has been sidelined since breaking his arm in the autumn win over Samoa.
Swinson – fit again after a hand problem – starred in Glasgow’s bonus-point Pro14 success against the Cheetahs at Scotstoun on Friday, alongside Malcolm.
Duncan Taylor, Richie Gray, Magnus Bradbury, Nathan Fowles, Murray McCallum and D’Arcy Rae are all released.
Visser and Malcolm will cover Lee Jones and Neil Cochrane who are both undergoing concussion checks.