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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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.”
Good evening and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of the World Boxing Super Series middleweight final!
George Groves faces Callum Smith for the Muhammad Ali Trophy in Jeddah, with the main event taking place from 9pm. Meanwhile on the undercard, Chris Eubank Jr takes on JJ McDonagh.
Stay with us all evening to see who will leave Jeddah with all the Cheddar.
The main event is set to be an epic battle.
There's just one thing...
Smith has been describing his opponent as an 'old man', but he knows there's a punch that packs quite some power in those hands still.
The fights on show this evening. The final two events of the night look to be crackers.
In his semi-final victory over Eubank Jr, Groves famously dislocated his shoulder. Is he back to full fitness ahead of what could be his crowning night?
He seems to think so.
They've arrived!
This evening, either George Groves or Callum Smith will take home the Muhammad Ali trophy.
Groves is the more experienced of the two men going into this evening's main event.
How much of a part will that play?
"Without doubt the biggest fight of my life."
George Groves is well aware of what's ahead this evening, speaking to ITV Box Office before entering the ring.
George Groves believes this fight could just be too big a step-up for Smith. Mind games or brutal honesty?
"It's a daunting prospect, taking the next step-up. Some people are born to do it, some people are ignorant.
"You can have over-thinkers or under-thinkers. People who have nothing going on upstairs are usually just as dangerous, they are not aware of what is going on.
"I'm not saying Callum is either or, but it's going to be a big step-up for him. This is it, and he's waited so long for it.
"He's hyped it up in his mind so much. Made this tournament all about me. This tournament for me is just all about winning it. This tournament for him, he said from the start, he's gone in to fight me because he wants to win a world title."
Eubank Jr will be walking out to face JJ McDonagh from 8pm, the first time he'll be fighting since his semi-final defeat to Groves.
It was a real possibility that he could have been fighting in the final due to the shoulder injury he suffered by Groves - so Eubank will want to prove a point this evening that he belongs at the top level of boxing.
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