Joshua vs Breazeale: George Groves feels like a 'new man'
Tuesday 21 June 2016 21:00, UK
George Groves says he feels "like a new man" and has vowed to prove he is a force to be reckoned with at super-middleweight ahead of his bout with Martin Murray.
The 28-year-old's fight is on the undercard as Anthony Joshua defends his IBF heavyweight title against Dominic Breazeale at The O2 on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
Groves says he has never felt stronger or more powerful in the lead up to a fight and pointed to working with trainer Shane McGuigan as the return of his left jab was noted at a public media workout on Tuesday.
"I've always been vicious mentally but, physically, I've struggled to get it off as good as I can do but this year I feel like a new man and Martin Murray is in a world of problems, he's in big trouble. I've never felt so big, so strong, I don't think I've ever hit so hard, never felt so sharp," he told Sky Sports News HQ.
"It's all for this moment because this is the pinnacle fight for me. There are a lot of big plans on the horizon, certainly I can't afford to have a slip up on Saturday night and I don't envisage doing that.
"I'm going to win and win well, and show everyone in the world that I'm a force to be reckoned with at super-middleweight."
The fight with domestic rival Murray will serve as an eliminator for the WBA super-middleweight title.
Groves' last world title shot came in a split decision loss to Badou Jack in September 2015 but he says training alongside the likes of Carl Frampton as part of McGuigan's gym has reinforced his desire for another tilt at a world title.
He said: "The hunger never left me. I feel like I'm really focused just on my business now, working with Shane McGuigan and his team, they relieve a lot of stress and pressure that comes with pro boxing.
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"There are so many day-to-day mundane things that I can leave to them to sort out. I won't go into detail but it is a fantastic team, great characters, great training alongside great champions.
"I was in the gym watching Carl Frampton spar today and he's getting ready for his [WBA featherweight] world title fight and it is about time I have another world title fight.
"I've had it easy in that we have the football to distract us a little bit but the boxing comes in this weekend and I think everyone is excited about it. It is just kicking off the week of the excitement, let the circus start unfolding. We have got press conferences this week, obviously the weigh-in and then the fight on fight night so I'm looking forward to it."
Watch George Groves vs Martin Murray as part of Joshua vs Breazeale, live on Sky Sports Box Office from The O2, on June 25. Book the event online here or via your Sky remote.
