For many boxing fans left underwhelmed by September 12th’s Mayweather/Berto fight in Las Vegas, the silver lining comes in the form of the WBC 168lb title fight between the “Money Team’s” champion Badou Jack, and dangerous British challenger George Groves that will appear on the undercard in chief support of the main event.
With the potential to eclipse that headline fight extremely high, Sweden’s Jack, who has made Vegas his adopted hometown, has promised a knockout performance against the big-hitting British challenger, who in the eyes of many – this writer included – will enter the fight a considerable favourite.
The champion, who upset Anthony Dirrell to win the belt back in April, claims that he doesn’t rate the 2x world title challenger too highly, though evidently realises he is going to be in for a rough night against the Londoner, who famously decked the granite chinned Carl Froch in November 2013.
“He’s not a great fighter but he’s a very tough fighter and I expect the toughest George Groves on fight night,” Jack told Sky Sports.
“I’m ready for war. It is going to be one hell of a fight, a real tough fight. That’s what I am expecting but it might not be like that; it might be easier than I thought it would be or it might be harder, who knows?
After decking Froch in the 1st round, the heavy handed Groves will surely look to start hard and fast against Jack, and put him away in similar fashion to US journeyman Derek Edwards, who stunned the Swede in brutal style, ending him inside a round 18 months ago. A decision in Vegas against a Mayweather fighter is going to be a hard thing to come by for Groves after all.
Jack, who carries a respectable dig of his own, plans on attempting to secure the knockout himself, and claims he is relishing the occasion.
“Of course I want a knockout win. But if I can’t all I want is the victory. I always go for the knockout, this is entertainment – and I try to knock every opponent out!”
“I am ready to put it all on the line and go to war,” he added.
Twitter @Undilutedpoison