Joshua vs Breazeale: Martin Murray calls George Groves 'a quitter'
Wednesday 22 June 2016 16:13, UK
Martin Murray has branded George Groves "a quitter" ahead of their "make or break" meeting on Saturday.
The two super-middleweights have seven failed world title challenges between them, and the winner this weekend will be in line for a crack at the WBA title.
The loser faces a long road back to elite level and Murray believes it is the "all or nothing" nature of Saturday's contest - on the undercard of Anthony Joshua's Sky Sports Box Office world title defence against Dominic Breazeale - that has the public hooked.
Murray has always been confident of breaking down Groves in the final rounds, but the St Helens man's respectful tone shifted at Wednesday's press conference as he accused his opponent of running away from a sparring session with middleweight king Gennady Golovkin.
Addressing Groves' claim that "there is no quit in me" Murray, who lasted 11 rounds with Golovkin in 2015, said: "I've been told that you went home on the second day of sparring Golovkin as you couldn't cope.
"You quit in sparring with a headguard and big gloves. You are a quitter."
And speaking to Sky Sports News HQ after Wednesday's exchange Murray renewed his attack on Groves.
"He thinks he's the superior fighter because that's the way he is," Murray said. "He thinks he's superior not just as a fighter but in everyday life, that's the way he carries himself."
Murray is relatively new to the super-middleweight division having moved up 12 months ago, but Groves' natural size advantage is not a problem for the 33-year-old.
"I don't think the fight's won on size," he said. "He is naturally the bigger man, but I think the fight's won on ability, how versatile you can be, how well you can take a shot and how much you want it.
"I think I'm better in all those areas, and that's the reason why I'll win on Saturday."
Watch Anthony Joshua vs Dominic Breazeale live on Sky Sports Box Office from The O2, June 25. Book the event via your Sky remote or online here.
