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.”
George Groves
"The shoulder held up OK. It was lightning fast in the changing rooms. I'm not here to make excuses.
"I'm going to have a good rest for now. I'm not retiring but I don't know what's next."
Callum Smith will leave Jeddah as the new WBA (Super) and The Ring (magazine) champion.
His crowning night: the Muhammad Ali Trophy winner.
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