George Groves reckons he is used to the pressure that could break his World Boxing Super Series rivals.
The WBA Super world super-middleweight champion launches his bid for the Muhammad Ali Trophy against Jamie Cox at the SSE Arena on Saturday night.
Groves enters as the No 1 seed – and says he deserves to be.
“Nobody else has been in with the competition I have been in and that puts me in a strong position,” said the 29 year old Londoner.
“I’ve faced the toughest fighters, but I haven’t had the toughest fights.
“I have form, confidence and experience.
“They will play a part.
“With this tournament, you can plan, you can see what fights could happen and that brings pressure. There’s no breathing space. You come up for a quick breath of air and then you are straight back into it.
“My whole career I have dealt with pressure. I have taken the difficult route. If I thought it was the best route, I would take it.
“I have never taken the easy route.
“I have been on the road, I have been a big underdog, I have been robbed, I have had scares and ground out wins.
“Not many people in World Boxing Super Series can say that. Juergen Braehmer can, but he’s in decline, he’s coming off a loss.
“I’m in form.
“I’ve been winning convincingly. I’ve won my last five fights – three of them by knock out.
“This has come at the perfect time in my career. I have finally captured my world title and now I’m fighting the best.”
Groves says he’s ready to carry on fighting the best for years.
“As long as the fights are out there and I feel motivated, I will carry on,” he said. “The way I feel at the moment, I could carry on for a long, long time.”
Big fights in the future include a rematch with James DeGale.
The IBF champion was ruled out of World Boxing Super Series with a shoulder injury and Groves said: “It’s a shame, but this tournament isn’t really suited to him.
“You have to be fit and healthy for a tournament like this. He is always saying he has fought with injuries because his body obviously can’t cope with the fights or the training.
“He says he will fight by the end of the year, but I can’t see it happening. He needs to be active or they will take that belt off him.”
Tickets for Groves-Cox are available from www.worldboxingsuperseries.com and www.axs.com
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WBA Super World Super Middleweight champion George Groves (26-3, 19 KOs) and Jamie Cox (24-0,13 KOs) are ready for their explosive Muhammad Ali Trophy quarter-final clash on October 14 at The SSE Arena, Wembley in London and tickets are now on sale ranging from £35 to £130 at stubhub.co.uk at axs.com.
30-year old Cox is fighting on the biggest stage of his career against the toughest opponent in his seven years as a professional, yet the Swindon boxer is extremely confident of overcoming the odds and securing a victory against Groves.
“Not only did he chose the most dangerous opponent for him in terms of styles, but also the fighter most likely to end his career,” said Cox.’’The question is: Where does he go after I beat him?”
Top seed Groves picked Cox at the World Boxing Super Series Draft Gala in Monaco in July calling his choice a ‘strategic move’:
“It’s a long tournament so I picked the easy guy first,” said 29-year old ‘Saint George’.
Groves, from Hammersmith, London, who is known for his two epic battles with countryman Carl Froch, finally claimed World honours on his fourth attempt, showcasing his incredible will, determination and perseverance in defeating Fedor Chudinov to become WBA World Super Champion in Sheffield in May.
Cox, on the other hand, is yet to claim a major title as a professional, but is already known for his talent and potential, which is still waiting to be redeemed.
“I am looking forward to showing people what I am about and showcasing myself and the dedication I have to the game,” said Cox, who believes he is in a better position than Groves.
“Me and Groves live completely different lives. Groves is a celebrity – he has earned a fortune, achieved his goal at the fourth time of asking and his body shows that he has been over-indulging on the luxuries. I am an athlete; I live modestly and am hungry for success. I look sharp because of the lifestyle I live.”
However, Groves insists he is as hungry as ever: “I feel that Cox, like most people who fight me, is trying to look for comfort by looking for weaknesses in me. They are forever focusing on me. By the sounds of it, Cox is hoping that I’ve been over indulging and that I’m not taking a World title fight seriously, but I am afraid for his sake that I am.”
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All-British quarter-final clash for Muhammad Ali Trophy between WBA World Champion Groves and Cox at The SSE Arena, Wembley on October 14th in London
The first domestic showdown of the World Boxing Super Series is scheduled for October 14th when top seeded super middleweight George Groves (26-3, 19 KOs) puts his WBA World title on the line against his undefeated countryman Jamie Cox (23-0, 13 KOs) in a ‘Battle of Britain’ at The SSE Arena, Wembley in London, United Kingdom.
Groves, the 29 year-old from Hammersmith, London, claimed the WBA strap with a sensational sixth-round stoppage victory over Fedor Chudinov on May 27th at Bramall Lane in Sheffield, and will make his maiden defence in this quarter-final clash with Cox, whom the ‘Saint’ selected as his first round opponent at the live Draft Gala on July 8th at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.
‘‘I’m really looking forward to getting started,’’ said Groves. ‘’It’s great to have a date set so early to give you something to strive for. I’m already in the gym plugging away and I’ve got plenty of time to prepare. The SSE Arena, Wembley Arena has always been a happy hunting ground for me. I‘ve had many good nights there, and I’m looking forward to fighting there again on October 14th. It’s my first World title defence, my first fight in the World Boxing Super Series, an all-British affair and hopefully something everyone is going to be excited about.
‘’I’m happy with my choice of opponent. I know there are no easy fights in this tournament and there are no easy fights at World level, but Jamie is the guy I know the most about. I know about his background, I know how he trains, I know who he trains with, but most importantly, I know the things you need in this tournament, such as composure and experience at the highest level, he’s lacking. I’ve got them in abundance, but he’s brand new, he’s a total novice. I don’t think he’s even headlined his own show yet and he’s getting flung in the deep end with me. This is a big pressure fight for him and I think he’ll struggle to cope.’’
Looking to secure his semi-final spot, Cox, the unbeaten 30 year-old contender from Swindon, Wiltshire, is confident he can dethrone his domestic rival and move a step closer to claiming The Greatest Prize in boxing, the Muhammad Ali Trophy.
‘’I’m really excited for this fight,’’ said the 30 year-old southpaw. ‘’To win a World title on the way to fighting for the Muhammad Ali Trophy would be a huge honour. I’m glad George picked me. I was prepared for anyone but I was hoping for a UK fight so I can’t wait. George is a tough opponent. He has some good attributes but I’m prepared to shock everyone. This is what I’ve been working towards all my career, and to be a part of something this big is amazing. Now I’m here, I’m ready to capitalise on it and win my first World title and progress to the semi-finals.’’
Roberto Dalmiglio, Comosa´s Head of Management Board, believes the World Boxing Super Series has delivered on its pledge of bringing together the best boxers in the world, and is expecting a memorable fight on October 14th. ‘’The World Boxing Super Series promised to pit the best against the best, and I believe we he have delivered on that promise,’’ said Dalmiglio. ‘’All our quarter-final fights are stacked with talent, and George Groves versus Jamie Cox is no exception. The SSE Arena, Wembley will play host to a fantastic night of boxing.”
Comosa`s Chief Boxing Officer, Kalle Sauerland is predicting a fan friendly affair from the domestic foes. ‘’This is a going to be a great fight for the fans,’’ said Sauerland. ‘’Domestic dust ups always bring with them an added excitement and intensity, and here, we have a British World Champion against an undefeated British challenger, it doesn’t get any better than that!’’
In the World Boxing Super Series, 16 elite fighters – eight super-middleweights and eight cruiserweights – will battle it out in a bracket-style elimination tournament. In both divisions, there will be four quarter-finals (September / October 2017), two semi-finals (early 2018) and one final (May 2018), making for a total of 14 high-class fights.