Groves: Easy path to WBSS finals will cost Callum Smith

As George Groves prepares himself for the WBSS super middleweight finals, which will take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, he believes Callum Smith’s path he will leave him unprepared for what he’s about to face. Smith face Erik Skoglund in the quarterfinals and then a late replacement in Nieky Holzken in the semifinals to punch his ticket to the finals match.

“In any other sport an easier route to the final is your best route -- but in this sport it isn’t,” Groves told ESPN.

”He’s not been able to test himself at the highest level. If it’s not required you’re not going to push yourself and you’re going to take the route of least resistance.”

Conversely, Groves, who beat Jamie Cox and Chris Eubank Jr. (while also having big fight experience against Carl Froch), believes his resume has him much better prepared for a fight of this magnitude. Groves says he thinks the promotional build-up to their Friday fight will be interesting, but says he doesn’t think this is his toughest fight he’s been lined up for in his career.

The Groves-Smith winner takes home the Muhammadi Ali trophy and makes their case to be rated as the best super middleweight in the world.