Paul Smith hopes to see George Groves re-find his groove - but insists brother Callum is a step ahead
Tuesday 5 April 2016 14:26, UK
Paul Smith believes former opponent George Groves can remind everyone of his qualities on Saturday night but warns he's playing second fiddle to his brother Callum.
I wouldn't say George has stagnated in his career. I just don't think he's looked as good recently as he did in the first fight against Carl Froch. I don't know that he's stagnated or become stale, he's just not looking as good as before.
I don't know why that is. Is it training? Or is his age catching up with him, as it does to us all? He hasn't been the same as he was in the Manchester Arena that night when he fought Froch for the first time - he was a very, very good fighter. He's still got that - it's just whether he can bring it out and produce on fight night, because he hasn't done since.
Callum and I have done a lot of sparring with David Brophy. I've sparred with him a lot, I used him for my Arthur Abraham fight because he's a similar style. He's durable and he's got a very good defence. But tactics are everything in boxing and he needs them to go right. If Brophy does what we think he can do, he's certainly in with a chance.
Groves is looking to get towards another world title shot and he's picked a solid opponent in Brophy - whether he knows that himself is a different story.
Groves was a very, very good fighter. He's still got that - it's just whether he can bring it out and produce on fight night.
I don't know if Groves can put in a similar performance to Callum's last week. Brophy is a good, solid opponent but so was Hadillah Mohoumadi. George is a decent lad and we get on. He's got his career which he's getting on with, but that's not something I keep my eye on. Neither does Callum. We wish George well. Good luck to him.
Callum's next fight will be for the WBC title and the next could be for the WBC and the IBF against James DeGale, so he doesn't have to worry about Groves.
When Callum was calling Groves out, Groves told Callum 'wait in line, wait your turn, get the mandatory position' and so forth. Groves wouldn't fight him.
Now the roles are reversed, it's the same. Groves is calling Callum out but Callum is now ahead of him. Groves, with respect, must wait and earn a shot properly.
George Groves v David Brophy is part of Charles Martin vs Anthony Joshua, live on Sky Sports Box Office on April 9. Available to order online.
