Groves and Smith meet ahead of clash

George Groves has gone head-to-head with Paul Smith at the final press conference before Saturday’s defence of his British and Commonwealth titles.

The pair glared stone-faced at each other as they posed for photos – but only after Liverpudlian Smith had arrived late.

And both men gave little away as they took questions, with Smith stating he was “sick of talking about it”.

“It’s going to be a great fight – I can’t wait,” said Groves, who believes a victory would be a step towards a possible world title shot in 2012.

“I’m expecting the best of Paul Smith but it will be nothing I can’t deal with. He doesn’t have a lot of opportunities left.”

Groves, from Hammersmith, is unbeaten in 13 fights and defends the British title for the first time since taking it from James DeGale at a sold-out O2 Arena in May.

Smith lost the British crown to DeGale in December last year, and the 29-year-old is gunning for a rematch with the Harlesden man if he can overcome Groves at Wembley Arena this weekend.

Smith said: “I could talk about this fight all day but we’ll see what happens come Saturday night. I believe I’m going to win.”

The fighters will meet again at Friday afternoon’s weigh-in. This week Groves told West London Sport he had had no problems making the 12-stone super-middlewight limit.