Confident Groves ready to defend titles

By

George Groves says he is raring to go and in peak condition ahead of Saturday’s fight with Paul Smith.

The unbeaten Hammersmith boxer will defend his British and Commonwealth super-middleweight titles against the Liverpudlian, who lost to Groves’ arch rival James DeGale last year.

It will be Groves’ first fight since beating DeGale on points in May and a victory at Wembley Arena this weekend could pave the way for a world title shot in 2012.

“All’s well. I just can’t wait now,” Groves told West London Sport.

“Training’s been great and the weight’s good, which is always a bonus because otherwise you can get a bit cranky when you’re low on carbs and a bit dehydrated.

“As the time gets closer you try not to think too much about the fight because you can get too excited. You’re like a kid at Christmas.

“The fight is only a few days away now and I’m so looking forward to it. I’m ready to go.”

Smith, 29, was British champion before being stopped in the ninth round of a one-sided fight against DeGale.

Smith (left) has won 29 of his 31 fights

Despite being outclassed in that contest, Smith believes his aggressive style will be more suited to taking on Groves.

But Groves, 23, insisted: “I know what he’ll do – he’s a come-forward fighter and will be well up for the fight – and I’ve got the answer to it.

“It’d be great if he did try and box, because he’s not got the ability to do that.

“You fight how you fight – and what he’s been doing in the gym these last few weeks isn’t going to change what he’s been doing for years.

“You learn new things, but the core structure you have from a young age. I’ve always been able to fight on the front or back foot.

“When things aren’t going well for Smith in there, he’ll get frustrated and revert to type – and his type is a brawler.

“I know how to deal with that. I’ll let him walk forward and walk onto my shots, which he won’t be able to keep taking.”

 

www.twitter.com/davidmcintyre76