George Groves: Eubank Jr ‘hasn’t boxed to the highest level’

George Groves’ February 17 fight with Chris Eubank Jr has already generated a lot of buzz. It’s a fight bigger than the World Boxing Super Series tournament, for which it’s a semifinal matchup, and it’s even more than just a world title fight.

The fight has already sold out Manchester Arena, and it lines up as one of the biggest bouts of the first quarter of 2018, at the very least.

And Groves, 29, is already taking shots at Eubank Jr and his team, particularly his professional relationship with his father.

“He is fighting in a division he doesn't belong in. He is a middleweight who punches from his hips with his chin up in the air. They are deluded. ... So far his Dad has alleviated a lot of the attention from the son. So far he has done him a massive favour inadvertently by being addicted to the limelight and people have bought into it and think he's the real thing. He hasn't boxed to the highest level.”

Groves (27-3, 20 KO) finally won a world title in May, when he beat Fedor Chudinov to win the WBA super middleweight belt. He defended successfully in a WBSS first round matchup against Jamie Cox in October, and says that his setbacks have him more focused than ever.

Eubank (26-1, 20 KO) has been impressive since moving up in weight, handily defeating Renold Quinlan, Arthur Abraham, and Avni Yildirim this year, the latter his first round WBSS opponent.