By James Slater: As fans have probably read by now, George Groves-Kenny Anderson II, originally set for this Friday night at Wembley, is off. Unbeaten Groves announced that he had to withdraw due to “medical issues,” in a move that left Team-Anderson absolutely furious.
The conspiracy theorists instantly put two and two together after having heard that Robert Stieglitz’ planned April fight with Mikkel Kessler was also off – were Stieglitz and Groves now destined to meet? Of course, Groves injury claims have to be taken as legit and no-one can accuse the unbeaten talent of lying. Groves has said he will fight Anderson again, when he is fully healthy.
However, as has been reported by Dan Rafael of ESPN.com, Groves WILL challenge WBO 168-pound champ Stieglitz next – on April 28th in Germany.
Rafael wrote on his Twitter column that “SES’s winning bid for Stieglitz-Groves 168 title was $792K. Beat Frank Warren bid of $782K. April 28 in Germany.”
Let’s forget all about the other aspects of this fight for a minute (although Kenny Anderson and his team, his fans and his supporters and backers will likely be unable to forgive Groves for abandoning this Friday’s fight so close to the opening bell), and ask: is this fight a step too far for Groves?
30-year-old Stieglitz, at 41-2(23), has had over three times as many pro fights as Groves. The 23-year-old British and Commonwealth champ will certainly be giving away a lot in experience on April 28th. Supposing “Saint” does lose: will he then honour his rematch with Anderson? What if he takes a real beating from Stieglitz?
It’s easy to see why the talented and hugely ambitious Groves, 14-0(11) has taken this big opportunity of a fight – becoming “world” champion is every fighter’s dream after all. But in the opinion of many, Groves should have taken his return with danger man Anderson (who gave Groves such a scare back in their Nov. 2010 meeting) first.
If Groves beats Stieglitz next month, his strategy will have worked and he and his team will receive nothing but praise. But after leaving Anderson in the lurch as he has (not to mention all Anderson’s fans, who have made travel arrangements and bought tickets – and what about the under-card fighters who will not now get paid for a fight on Friday?), Groves risks losing a number of fans.
Certainly, there are many people who do not buy Groves’ injury claims.
It will be a tough ask for Groves to go to Germany and win a decision over Stieglitz. Can the Brit bag himself an upset KO to take the belt home? For what it’s worth, I wouldn’t bet on it. Groves will be in deep in this one.