George Groves on James DeGale's absence and Britain's best in World Boxing Super Series
Wednesday 12 July 2017 18:10, UK
George Groves believes bitter rival James DeGale made the right decision not to enter the World Boxing Super Series.
Groves is the recently-crowned WBA world super-middleweight champion and No 1 seed in the new tournament that could have four British fighters in the eight-man line-up.
'The Saint' is joined by his first challenger Jamie Cox, Chris Eubank Jr - providing he beats Arthur Abraham on Saturday - and No 2 seed, Callum Smith.
IBF world champion DeGale is recovering from a serious shoulder injury and although Groves has questioned the timing of the operation, he understands why his old foe is not part of the competition.
"He definitely wouldn't have been ready because he's had surgery that's put him out for a while," Groves told Sky Sports.
"I don't know if he's had surgery so he doesn't have to have the pressure of entering this tournament. Who does? Only he knows.
"But these fights are thick and fast, so you've got to be healthy to begin with to even stand a chance of making it the distance, so most elite fighters have two fights a year maximum, some are down to one a year - this is three fights in 10 months.
"You've got to be on your game. You can mask or carry injuries and you've got to be set to fight. Because of that, this tournament's format wouldn't have suited James, so he's out."
Second seed Smith, who picked former European light-heavyweight champion Erik Skoglund for his opening fight, will face Groves in the final if they both win two fights.
The WBA and WBC Diamond belt, as well as the inaugural Muhammad Ali Trophy, will be on the line, with the winner needing three wins to be crowned champion.
"It took me long enough to win one. I didn't know how long I was going to wait before getting another one, but in these special 10 months I should be a unified world champion," Groves said.
"The first fight I am going to treat like my first defence of a world title. There will be a lot of pressure on all of us, and we'll see how they can handle the pressure and keep their heads, but it's going to be really exciting.
"Being the only current world champion, I was rightfully No 1 seed and in and around the favourite, but there's no easy fights. It's all up for grabs.
"This still shows the strength in the division and there are four Brits, including me, who are in and all have relatively big names in the UK.
"It makes some really exciting fights we are going to get domestically because our paths have to cross - like Jamie Cox to start."
