Junior or St George?
Who do you think will take the honours in the World Super Series semi-final between Chris Eubank Jnr and George Groves in Manchester tonight?
This Battle of Britain, being screened live on ITV Box Office, has got everyone talking.
The super-middleweight showdown looks an incredible match pitting the size and big-fight expertise of Groves against the brilliance of Eubank Jr.
Here punch-lines.co.uk has assembled the good and great of North-East boxing to get their verdicts. There is very much a split decision!
Glenn Foot: GROVES. He’s a different level to Eubank, Junior’s only had one test against Billy Joe Saunders and failed.
Bradley Saunders: EUBANK. I think Groves will have the better at the start, he has power and the confidence of winning a world title, but I think Eubank will keep with hiom and get the better of him in the end. But anything can happen, it’s a cracking fight and can’t wait to see it.
Steve Wraith: EUBANK, stoppage inside the distance
Neil Fannan: EUBANK, not sure how, but he will find a way to win.
Alan Temple: GROVES, KO late on. I just think Eubank has been protected since Saunders while Groves has mixed it with much better class. Good match though.
Darren Surtees: GROVES, points
Peter Cope Snr: GROVES, late stoppage
Tommy Ward: GROVES, points. I think Groves is the bigger man, he’s got the style to beat him and think he’s got the power as well. It will be a good fight, looking forward to it.
Imran Naeem: EUBANK, points. Like everyone else, I’m torn between the more experienced Groves and the enigmatic Eubank Jr. I think that it will be very difficult for Groves to control Eubank’s energy and combination punching. Since the Badou Jack fight, Groves has looked shopworn at times and I feel that Eubank will be too fresh and too busy for him. I don’t think he’ll stop Groves but I think he’ll win via unanimous decision.
Steve Conway: EUBANK, points. My heart says Groves but my head is saying Eubank, he looks unstoppable!
Jordan Ellison: EUBANK, points. I think both men will go down but I’m going for Eubank on points with his explosive work rate
Luke Cope: GROVES, points.
Anthony Nelson: GROVES, stoppage. I fancy Groves and would like to see him win. He is better on paper and is a better fighter in my opinion, he has boxed bigger and better opponents, he is technically better and naturally bigger. I think if Groves can keep him off with the jab then he will outbox him and could quite possibly stop him. But then again I could be wrong!
Lewis Ritson: GROVES, KO
Mal Gates: GROVES, points or late stoppage. George will be too big for him.
Shaun Farmer: EUBANK, stoppage R8. Junior will be too fresh, too fast and too keen. Even though Groves is only 29 to Eubank’s 28, George has had a lot of tough bouts and I believe this will show.
Pete Shepperson: EUBANK, stoppage 10-12, but it could go points
Paul Gidney: EUBANK, points
Mark Clauzel: GROVES, late stoppage. I think he’s a much better seasoned fighter and a very big super middle, I think it will be an explosive fight however and quite close until Groves takes over late on and stops him.
Michael Hunter: EUBANK. I think he’ll be that bit fresher and I was really impressed with his last performance.
Tom Whitfield: EUBANK, late on. It’s a tough one to call really 50/50. I hope Groves wins, but think he’ll run out of gas.
Michael Marsden: EUBANK, too young and fresh
Savannah Marshall: EUBANK, stoppage
Nigel Wright: EUBANK, I think Eubank will get him between 8-10 but I always get the big fights wrong!
Kevin Bennett: GROVES, R4
Adam Cope: EUBANK, late stoppage. I think Eubank will win in the late rounds in a gruelling fight. I think he will have to take some big shots off Groves but his fitness and pace will take over before he stops him late on in the fight. But it wouldn’t surprise me if I’m wrong!
Phil Jeffries: EUBANK. I’m sat on the fence, but if I had pick a winner it’s Chris.
Sam Menzies: GROVES, points
Peter Cope Jnr: GROVES, points. I thought Eubank could outwork him, but Groves’s awkward style will cause him problems, not that I’m not going to put any money on it!
Anth Hardy: GROVES, points. It’s more a case of what I hope will happen, I hope Groves can deal with Eubank Jr’s explosive power. He should have no problem beating him to the jab, I’m just hoping he can capitalise on it when he does. Groves points for me.
Ellis Corrie: EUBANK, stoppage between round 8-12
Neil Hepper: GROVES, I thought he looked great on last outing and strong.
Gary Barr: GROVES, points. A really tough fight to call
Dave Garside: I am torn, it could either be Groves on points or a Eubank KO. Eubank’s started slowly before and that could play into Groves’s hands, but he has a KO in him.
Richard O’Neill: On the fence, either Eubank by KO or Groves points. Hard one to call.
There you go, a 50-50 split from the North-East boxing experts, but what will happen tonight?
For more information on the World Super Series go to https://worldboxingsuperseries.com
Poll: Roy Kelly. Image: WBSS