EDMONTON, Canada (September 28, 2018) – The first season of the highly popular World Boxing Super Series’ (WBSS) super middleweight division concludes today (Friday, Sept. 28), when World Boxing Association (WBA) super middleweight world champion “Saint” George Groves takes on undefeated challenger Callum “Mundo” Smith, airing live from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, starting at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT, exclusively on Super Channel in Canada.
(L-R) — Callum Smith & George Groves
(Picture courtesy of World Boxing Super Series)
Groves vs. Smith, presented by Sauerland Event, was postponed from its originally planned June 2 date due to Groves’ shoulder surgery from an injury he suffered in his February17th WBSS semifinals 12-round unanimous decision victory against Chris Eubank, Jr.
Groves (28-3, 20 KOs), 30, is fighting out of London. He knocked out defending WBA super middleweight champion Fedor Chudinov (14-1) in the sixth round of their May 27, 2017 title fight.
His first WBA title defense was a fourth-round stoppage of Jaime Cox in the opening round of the WBSS, followed this past Feb. by his semifinals victory over Eubank (26-1).
“I am in the form of my life,” Groves said. “I am not too fussed about Callum, to be honest. I don’t know how he is feeling. I am concentrating on myself. That’s what works for me, that’s the winning formula. As long as I’m in a good place no one is going to beat me.
“I am number one in the division. Proud of it. I am the favorite going into this fight. I was the number one seed when the tournament started. I am going to win and I am going to win well. We are in a great place.
“Everything here (Saudi Arabia) has been better than expected, you know. I have never been here before, but the food has been fantastic, the people have been lovely, and our accommodation is great.”
The 28-year-old Smith (24-0, 17 KOs), fighting out of Liverpool in this All-Brit finale, won a 12-round unanimous decision from previously undefeated Erik Skoglund (26-0) in the WBSS opening round. Smith was supposed to fight former WBA and WBO light heavyweight Juergen Braehmer in the WBSS semifinal round, but Braehmer pulled out and he was replaced late by unbeaten Nicky Holken (13-0), who Smith defeated by way of a 12-round unanimous decision.
“I’m excited, there is a lot at stake,” Smith commented. “Win this fight and I will have achieved what I always wanted to achieve. I am so close to finally doing it all.
“We did set-up (in Saudi Arabia) over the weekend and it feels like I am at home. I could be anywhere in the world as long as my family is with me. I am good. I woke up this morning a happy person.”
Five exciting fights on the “Groves vs. Smith” card, promoted by Sauerland Event, will air exclusively in Canada on Super Channel.