By Declan Taylor
TEAM SAUERLAND have launched a protest to the World Boxing Council regarding their decision to sanction the super-middleweight fight between Callum Smith and Hadillah Mohoumadi as a final eliminator for a shot at titlist Badou Jack.
Undefeated Liverpudlian Smith won the WBC's vacant 168lb 'silver' belt thanks to a unanimous decision victory over tough Frenchman Christopher Rebrasse last June and followed it up by claiming the British title by stopping Rocky Fielding in the first round of their November clash.
That form has enabled him to surge to No.1 in the WBC rankings and victory over Mohoumadi at the Echo Arena, Liverpool, on April 2, will make him mandatory challenger for current 168lb king Jack.
But Groves and his promoters, Team Sauerland, are not happy that Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn has been allowed to make the fight with No.7 ranked Mohoumadi a so-called final eliminator, as 'The Saint' is still ranked at No.3 by the governing body.
The 27-year-old Londoner got his career back on track by stopping Italian Andrea Di Luisa in the fifth round of their clash at London's Copper Box Arena on Saturday, is now open to options and currently not busy, so should be considered for the final eliminator over Mohoumadi, according to Sauerland.
Kalle Sauerland said: “They've announced that fight as a final eliminator but it's something we are questioning.
“It's something that we have launched a protest about in writing last week. It's a long process. There will be a vote on it some time in the next weeks. But there are no grounds to call the No.7 and skip active fighters.
“George is not retired or anything, they are going over guys who are headlining shows and choosing the No.7 who has lost a final eliminator already. It's a decent fight [for Smith], a decent tune-up, but it can't be an eliminator.
“We have to put our faith in the Mexicans at the WBC, we'll see.”
Meanwhile, Matchroom have called a press conference for this Tuesday in Liverpool to officially announce the fight between Smith and Mohoumadi, the Frenchman who was beaten by fellow Brit James DeGale back in 2012.
Eddie Hearn enjoys a strong relationship with Kalle and his brother Nisse, and Saturday's London show was a co-promotion between the two sides.
They have also worked together on the two super-middleweight wars between Carl Froch and Mikkel Kessler among many others.
But Hearn insists there are no grounds for Team Sauerland's current complaint. He said: “We have already received written confirmation and the sanction letter from the WBC and the fight will take place on April 2nd at The Echo Arena in Liverpool."
Groves says he thinks he should be the one to fight Smith for the chance to avenge his September defeat to Badou Jack.
'The Saint' added: “Eddie has tried to slip Callum Smith through in a final eliminator and I don't even know the guy he's fighting.
“I'll fight Callum Smith for the No.1 spot – that's a fight that interests me. That's one of many options but if they want to present it, I'll have it. I like Callum Smith but he wouldn't be a problem at all.”
