George Groves given deadline by World Boxing Super Series

George Groves, who holds the WBA super middleweight title and has earned a spot in the World Boxing Super Series tournament final, has been given a 10-day deadline to prove he’s healthy and ready for the matchup with Callum Smith.

If Groves (28-3, 20 KO) can’t go against Smith (24-0, 17 KO), then Chris Eubank Jr, the man Groves defeated in the semifinal round, would likely sub in to face the unbeaten prospect/contender.

Promoter Kalle Sauerland spoke with Sky Sports:

“We are waiting for the final discussions and reports from George before we know whether he will be able to make the timeline of the final. The final will be before the summer break and not after. That’s the tournament structure that has been in place since day one. We will stretch as far as we possibly can but the tournament structure will always be precedent. In 10 days we will make an announcement on whether George is in the final or not.”

Eubank (26-2, 20 KO) would be about as suitable a replacement as possible. The alternative would be to give Smith a walkover win in the final, and name him the champion of the tournament due to Groves’ shoulder injury, and I suspect most would rather have a fight than not, even if it were to result in Eubank, a semifinal loser, winning the tournament in the end.