Froch, Nelson, Bellew, Coldwell and Moore
Friday 30 December 2016 22:22, UK
Great Britain ended the year with 13 world champions, but who is likely to be the next?
George Groves is expecting a shot at the WBA super-middleweight title early this year. In the same division, Callum Smith is the mandatory challenger for the WBC version of the title. Gavin McDonnell will fight for the WBC super-bantamweight strap.
That is the trio our Panel picked, but see who picked which one and why...
I am going to shock you all... I actually want to see George Groves win a world title. From a purely selfish angle, if he gets that WBA, it will cement my legacy and I reckon it will mean I've beaten more world champions than a certain Joe Calzaghe managed to do! From a boxing perspective I am going to shock you all again... I don't actually hate George Groves.
From a boxing perspective I am going to shock you all again... I don't actually hate George Groves.
Yes I am sure you've seen the stuff on Twitter but I actually think he's a great character and I have to give him credit for helping create that fight we had. I would honestly like to see him do it and I think he will. Fedor Chudinov is nothing to worry about, especially for someone like Groves, who works hard, grafts and looks to have worked on his stamina under Shane McGuigan. Yes he still annoys me, but if anyone deserves to win a world title, it's him.
Of course Callum Smith, but I like to come up with something different, of course. I think Callum can be a world champion in 2017. It depends how the cards fall in regard to Badou Jack and James DeGale. Another one which is a bit of a wild card - is Gavin McDonnell.
It's about opponents, it's about timing, and I think this might be the right time, the right opponent for Gavin.
The McDonnell brothers seem to slide under the radar and not get the respect when they get in the ring and look like they are scraping through a fight and still get the win. It's about opponents, it's about timing, and I think this might be the right time, the right opponent for Gavin.
Callum Smith will be the next British world champion and he will be a dominant world champion too. We're not talking about someone who will be a flash in the pan, we're talking about someone who is going to carry a division. That is how good Callum Smith is.
Callum Smith has got the world at his feet, he's got everything. I've known him since he was a kid and he's just got better and better with age, he really has.
He's got potential to go up to light-heavy as well. He's young enough, fresh enough. His size and power will determine how long he stays there for, he's massive at the weight. Callum Smith has got the world at his feet, he's got everything. I've known him since he was a kid and he's just got better and better with age, he really has.
I am not allowed to put Gavin McDonnell or David Price in here apparently, so I am going to have to go with George Groves. Fedor Chudinov for the WBA is a very winnable fight for him and I do think he will do it. Next year is a big for a lot of British prospects who are going to step in and get shots at world titles but Groves is as close as he has ever been.
Groeves has had plenty of downs, but it would be so nice for him to come through and prove us all wrong - including me
For George to win a world title at the fourth attempt would be a great story and yes, he's had plenty of downs, but it would be so nice for him to come through and prove us all wrong - including me. I have written him off, put him on the slide, but his recent performances have been good. He is looking sharp, as heavy-handed as ever and I do think he will take this opportunity.
Gavin McDonnell is going to fight the Mexican, Rey Vargas, for the WBC super-bantamweight belt in the next 120 days or something, so in terms of timing he's got the best chance. But I genuinely think he has got a great chance full-stop. Him and Jamie are doing so well with Dave Coldwell, I can see him becoming our latest [world champion].
Gavin is a crackling little fighter and has evolved very well in the last couple of years.
Gavin is a crackling little fighter and has evolved very well in the last couple of years. He's not great at any one thing but he is solid in every department and is massive for a super-bantamweight, which could play a big part. He is one of the nicest kids you'll come across in the sport, so I would be rooting for him anyway, but I just think he'll get his chance first and match his brother.
