George Groves and Callum Smith make weight

 by John Dennen

GEORGE GROVES and Callum Smith both made weight for Friday’s World Boxing Super Series final at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Both are big super-middleweights, but there were no errors the night before their fight. Groves came in at 167¾lbs and will defend his WBA world title.

Smith is even taller than Groves and yet, with a faint smile on his way to the scales, he weighed in at 167¼lbs. He looked in excellent shape. “I’m in very, very good condition,” he confirmed. “I feel good, I feel strong.”

They shared a tense staredown, with Smith unwilling to look away. Groves is utterly determined, having recovered from a dislocated shoulder to recapture his fighting shape. “The most prestigious fight I’ve ever been involved in,” he said of this bout for the Muhammad Ali trophy. “A must-win for me. An absolute must-win.”

“I think I’m a better fighter,” he added, but said, “Experience is going to count for a lot as well. It’s a massive advantage I have.”

Smith however maintained, “He looks like an old man.”

“There’s a lot of miles there. I just think I’m the younger, fresher, better man. I’m here to take his title,” he continued.

“I’m here to do a job and that’s to become world champion.”