Groves Has One Eye on Dirrell as Douglin Bout Nears

George Groves believes he will make a mockery of the underdog tag in his world title fight against WBC super-middleweight champion Anthony Dirrell.

The 26-year-old faces American southpaw Denis Douglin on the undercard of the Tony Bellew versus Nathan Cleverly rematch in Liverpool this weekend.

Looking towards Dirrell, Groves says sympathetic messages of support are unnecessary, as the 26-year-old is adamant he will ‘take over the world’.

Groves wrote on Sportlobster.com: "“I don’t want to focus too much on the world title fight against Dirrell, but I imagine I will be seen as the underdog. “I have been underdog before and there is definitely a different vibe. It is more so with the day-to-day with the people you see and the way they talk to you or approach you."

"“I don’t need a pat on the back or an arm around the shoulder. “People will say something and you think, ‘Don’t talk to me like I won’t win. Don’t worry about me, I have got this sorted’. “I am never satisfied unless I win and the people around me in the gym are exactly the same. We never settle for second-best and we want to take over the world. Obviously, there is a balance between personal and professional life. You can’t just say, ‘F**k everyone and everything else!’"

"“But, nobody can beat me. This is my belief and I just have to prepare myself to the best of my ability and ensure this thought process turns into a reality. As of yet, I haven’t fought for anything else. To be labelled as the underdog is nice, especially as everybody sees it but me. “I don’t take this personally, but in my stride.”"

Groves will surrender his WBC silver super-middleweight crown and world title shot if he loses against Douglin, but he believes the reward is worth the risk.

He added: “"We play a high-risk poker game and it pays off. Douglin will look at this fight and think it is a gift. “He has been offered the opportunity to fight for the WBC silver super-middleweight title without the need to work or ask for it."

“"He will be confident and would’ve been encouraged by the fact that I didn’t knockout Christopher Rebrasse in my previous fight. “He will probably underestimate my punching power because of it. “He would have also looked at my two stoppage defeats against Carl Froch, probably without paying too much attention to my performances in both fights. “This is his opportunity to emerge and make a name for himself.”"

Groves defeated Rebrasse in November to earn his shot against Dirrell as well as the WBC silver championship and European super-middleweight crown, which is now vacant.

Despite only fighting one month ago, Groves said he wanted to stay sharp and take the limelight away from the highly-anticipated showdown between fierce rivals Bellew and Cleverly.

He added: "“Boxing before Christmas was absolutely vital. “I felt like I wanted a few more rounds in me, before I challenged for the world title. Douglin is a southpaw and so it may be awkward for me. It was a logical fight, as I am fit and healthy and it is a great reason to stay in the gym and stay motivated. “Of course, there is pressure and risk to this fight, because if I lose, I lose my world title shot. “You have different strategies in place for different fights and it just comes down to the nitty-gritty in the gym."

"“If you lose focus on this by looking towards the bigger fight or a different opponent, everything can fall down. I want to steal the show with victory over Douglin.”"