Brook vs Spence Jr: We set the scene for George Groves vs Fedor Chudinov
Saturday 27 May 2017 21:54, UK
George Groves and Fedor Chudinov meet in the middle of Bramall Lane to see who will be taking the WBA 'Super' super-middleweight title away, so here is your one-stop preview ahead of the fight...
Background
George Groves is out to go forth and conquer and finally be crowned a super-middleweight king. 'The Saint' is synonymous with his three previous world title attempts but is, for the first time, fighting for a vacant strap. Fedor Chudinov did hold the WBA 'Super' before Felix Sturm won it off him. Sturm vacated the belt in October, citing an elbow injury which required surgery.
Two wins, including a bruising battle with Martin Murray, has carried Groves into the No 1 position, with Chudinov returning to the UK, where he made his solitary successful defence over Frank Buglioni. Groves is the favourite and admits, this is likely to be his last chance.
What the fighters say
I'm ready. I've done the weight well this time and I'm feeling really good. I will be at my best - and I will beat him. It would mean everything to win a world title. I'm going to win and become a world champion.
George is a good boxer but I think we saw his fights and watched his fights and I think he is going to have a tough time. We will see. It is boxing, everybody can win, everybody can lose, but I am little bit excited
What former opponents say
I'd have to be stupid to be harbouring any animosity towards him and I am actually going a bit soft because I feel a bit sorry for him. If there is any boxer that is so desperate to have a world title and he has worked as hard as anybody to get there. It would actually be nice to see it happen.
Chudinov is hard as nails. When we fought I caught him with a shot and he just bounced up and carried on within 20 to 30 seconds and his power stayed the same throughout the 12 rounds. For me his toughness is word class, his work rate is word class as well as his distance and his footwork. It is going to be a very tough ask for George Groves.
What the experts say
I do expect Groves to win the fight and become world champion. This is his best chance. Everything is in his favour. He's had another camp with Shane McGuigan and he'll be firing on all cylinders. Chudinov is a tough customer but Groves is very heavy-handed and I expect that jab to be pivotal, and to bust Chudinov up
I can only see one outcome: Groves wins. Chudinov is a tough guy and he has held the WBA belt before but I just think Groves will out-box him early on, hit him with some very hard shots, and get a stoppage late on.
He wants to be in a position to have a thriller against James DeGale but, rightly, he can't do it unless he's a world champion. I believe, if George doesn't win, he'll walk away himself. George has been fortunate to get four shots at a world title so he can't afford a loss. It's do-or-die. Groves wins on points.
Weigh-in
George Groves: 11st 13lbs 6oz
Fedor Chudinov: 11st 13lbs 2oz
The wait is nearly over
Watch Groves vs Chudinov before Brook vs Spence Jr, from Bramall Lane, Sheffield, May 27, live on Sky Sports Box Office. Book the event online here or via your Sky remote.
