Fears for Groves’ rival
There were serious concerns last night over George Groves’ opponent, Eduard Gutknecht, after the German underwent surgery following their fight at Wembley’s SSE Arena on Friday night.
Gutknecht collapsed in his dressing room after losing the 12-round WBA International Super-Middleweight fight and was rushed to St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington.
There were reports the 34-year-old had to be resuscitated on the way to the neurological unit. The British Boxing Board of Control confirmed Gutknecht was being kept sedated and his condition would be monitored in the coming days.
At the same venue in March, English middleweight Nick Blackwell collapsed at the end of his stoppage defeat by compatriot Chris Eubank Jnr. Blackwell suffered bleeding on his skull and was treated at St Mary’s. He eventually recovered but was forced to retire shortly afterwards.
More recently in September, Scottish welterweight Mike Towell died just 25 hours after losing to Dale Evans in Glasgow. He had suffered severe bleeding and swelling to his brain.
Londoner Groves, who beat the 34year-old by unanimous decision, tweeted: “Out of respect to Eduard Gutknecht and his family’s privacy, I don’t want to say too much but we were all deeply concerned to hear that he was taken to hospital after the fight last night.
“I sincerely hope it is nothing too serious and I would like to send out all of my support and best wishes to him and his family at this difficult time.”
Gutknecht took significant punishment throughout the one-sided fight before the 28-year-old Groves was declared a 119-109, 119-109 and 119-110 winner on the scorecards, to remain in contention for a fourth shot at a world title next year.