"You're gonna eat lightning, and you're gonna crap thunder!"
George "The Saint" Groves:
Georgie comes into this bout scheduled for early next year on one hell of a streak. In my opinion he got blatantly robbed by the judges in his performance against Badou Jack, and he should've been awarded points for being the man controlling the action. The O2 has been good to Groves in ways Wembley was not, and Froch would never let us forget! It seems as though the 'rub' is somewhat real, as it was passed down from the now retired (future legend) Andre Ward. The performances from the Super 8 tournament were all superb, and that era of boxing although strange, was quite spectacular. Groves had become the WBA champ by default (in essence), as Froch had retired and left the throne to him. Groves was always a gentlemen post loss, he just couldn't figure the rangy bastard out.
Chris Eubank Jr.:
The son of his father, one of a few as we've found out recently. A much crisper puncher than that of Sr., as well as just as smooth a thinker, Jr. represents modern day British boxing. Not a huge puncher, but a savage in the pocket willing to exchange with anyone. It cost Chris dearly in his fight against Saunders, but that was a younger Chris and a crazier Billy Joe. We now have this young man peaked and primed, and I feel as though he'd give the top 2 a run for their money. Boxing is funny in the way of matchmaking, no money no fight...although there are some damn good fights to be made. Amidst the Charlos, the Golovkins and the Canelos, I want to see a tournament of true champions with these guys!
My Thoughts:
This is a damn hard fight to call as I don't see either man winning spectacularly. Both are durable and hard nosed, as well as experienced and peaking. Groves has never looked better or stronger, but he has also never seemed so hit-table against the competition he has been up against. I feel that Chris will step up and pull this fight away as it only makes sense in terms of timing and where boxing is at. The young man to usurp the throne from the champion whom had his time, and never really deserved the belt at all. It is a harsh truth when a man earns a belt from a much lesser champion, but if Groves can dominate a man like Eubank Sr., we may be seeing one of the greatest resurgences of all time!