George Groves-Callum Smith in Talks, According To EBU

By Terence Dooley

The EBU has asked their Super middleweight titlist Callum Smith (19-0, 14 KOs) to make a mandatory defence against George Groves (23-3, 18 early)—the organisation's website has stated that the parties are in ‘private negotiations’ over a fight for Smith’s recently acquired title.

Smith destroyed Hadillah Mohoumadi in a single stanza to win the vacant belt in Liverpool earlier this month.  Eddie Hearn, his promoter, has mentioned a showdown with Groves a few times recently and Matchroom have a good working relationship with Sauerland, who promote Groves.

Indeed, Groves appeared on Hearn’s bill at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday night as chief support to Anthony Joshua’s two-round IBF world title win over former holder Charles Martin.  The Londoner hammered David Brohpy to defeat in four one-sided rounds and is keen to tackle Smith as he bids to get back into world title contention following three failed attempts again Carl Froch, twice, and Badou Jack.

Smith’s last win has pushed him close to Jack’s WBC title as it was a final eliminator for the belt.  However, a fight against Groves in the meantime would be big here in the U.K. and might pique Smith’s interest should he find out that a bout against Jack is still some way off.

However, Smith himself recently poured cold water on the idea by stating that Groves is attempting to use him as a quick-fire route back to a world title shot.

Either way, the EBU have lit the touchpaper on what would be an interesting domestic showdown should the two parties agree to go down that route and find mutually agreeable terms.

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