Groves vs Smith - as it happened: Callum Smith wins World Boxing Super Series middleweight final with seventh round knockout
Follow live coverage of Groves vs Smith throughout the evening
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Your support makes all the difference.George Groves and Callum Smith meet in the final of the inaugural World Boxing Super Series and will battle for the series crown as well as Groves’ WBA Super Middleweight Title.
After beating Chris Eubank jr in the semi-final, Groves’ participation in the glamorous final was a doubt after he sustained a dislocated shoulder late on in the fight. After months of rehab, and a potential replacement in Jack Cox being readied, Groves is fit to fight but may have his effective jab restricted by his shoulder.
Smith had a much easier run to the Saudi Arabia final but will be a tricky opponent for Groves if he can impose his superior physical stance on him.
Follow the live action below:
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When is it?
The fight is taking place on Friday 28 September.
What time does it start?
The fight is expected to start around 21:00 BST
Where is it?
The World Boxing Super Series final is held at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
How can I watch it?
The fight will be shown on ITV’s pay-per-view channel, ITV Box Office, and online via a live stream. The fight is priced at £16.95 and can be purchased through your TV or online.
Odds
George Groves to win: 4/6
Callum Smith to win: 5/4
Draw: 20/1
Who is on the undercard?
Live coverage of the undercard starts at 18:00 BST
Chris Eubank Jr vs JJ McDonagh
Darren Surtees vs Kane Baker
Aliu Bamidele Lasisi vs Artid Bamrungauea
Kem Ljungquist vs Mourad Omar
Mikael Lawal vs Tamas Kozma
Zuhayr Al Qahtani vs Giorgi Gviniashvi
What has been said?
George Groves
“From seeing the chiropractor, the osteopath, the surgeon and the rehab afterwards was not easy. Looking in the mirror and seeing your shoulder is one fifth of the size it was going into the fight. But I have not done all of this to go through the motions, I will be just as good as I was before, if not better.
“I am not too fussed about Callum, to be honest. I don’t know where he ranks on my list of opponents. I hope he is harder than Eubank but he will be totally different.”
Callum Smith
“He had a very hard fight in the semi-final though he won comfortably. He put miles on the clock (with that injury). He’s had a great career and I can’t knock him for that. He’s achieved what I want to achieve. But in doing that it’s come at a cost: miles on the clock.
“I am a better fighter than I was (when I expected to fight Jack Cox). I haven’t had any bad injuries. I haven’t been out of the gym.”
Here we go! JJ McDonagh and Chris Eubank Jr are in the ring and we're moments away from the first bell.
McDonagh down in the first round!
Despite starting the round strongly, leading with his jab, Eubank Jr lands a sweeping left hook but the Irishman recovered quickly enough and was back on his feet to see out the final minutes of the first.
Eubank Jr is looking to make a statement in this fight and understandably so after his second career defeat back in February.
He attempts a number of big punches but is being patient to land them as the second round comes to a close.
Eubank Jr lands a few heavy rights in the third, both men exchanging and even ignore the referee's call to halt the fight. The Brit then puts together some nice combination punches towards the end of the round.
Of the 10 scheduled, it'll be interesting to see how many this lasts.
IT'S ALL OVER!
At the start of round four, JJ McDonagh refuses to answer the call of the bell and Eubank Jr is given the win.
This is all a bit weird at the moment, the crowd are booing and no one is really sure what happened. Their must have been an injury.
Chris Eubank Jr on McDonagh pulling out with injury
"So he says. I'm not really convinced, it is what it is. I've been out of the ring for a number of months and this was a chance to shake off the ring rust. It was a good fight while it lasted.
"I wanted to display some of my boxing skills - some people say I can't jab, can't box. There's a different side to Chris Eubank Jr."
Chris Eubank Jr on facing James DeGale
"There's so many great fights out there for me to have. We're definitely going to look to get a marquee name in the ring before the end of the year."
Well, that ended prematurely.
Only one thing left, the World Boxing Super Series final.
George Groves faces Callum Smith from 9pm.
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