By Shaun Brown
With just under eight weeks to go until his next fight, Boxing Scene understands that George Groves still hasn’t picked a new trainer.
The return of the 27-year-old three-time super middleweight world title challenger, promoted by Sauerland, headlines a co-promotion with Matchroom Boxing on January 30 at London’s Copper Box Arena which will be shown live on Sky Sports.
Groves, previously trained by Adam Booth and Paddy Fitzpatrick, only had one fight in 2015 which ended in defeat against WBC World champion Badou Jack when the American based Swede gained a split decision victory in the first defence of his title.
The loss to Jack, as well as his two losses to Carl Froch, now give Groves a record of (21-3, 16 KOs) but still carries enough clout and ability to put himself back into contention for a fourth world title shot.
Boxing Scene has been advised that the former European champion is still trialling potential candidates. In recent weeks Abel Sanchez, trainer to middleweight king Gennady Golovkin, and Robert McCracken, who trained Froch to victory over Groves, have been linked to the role.
Speaking to Sky Sports News in October, Groves spoke about the possibility of working with McCracken: “If he [McCracken] was still training Froch, it would be a problem. But I think Rob is a great trainer – one of the most successful trainers in the UK at the moment. If you can’t beat them, join them!
“I wouldn’t be opposed to it. In boxing, you have no enemies: one week you are at loggerheads with someone, then the next it all works out.”
It would be, perhaps, foolish to think that the Brit does not have an idea as to who he might be working with in 2016 but many thought an announcement would have been made by now. And while Groves’ next opponent on January 30, as we were told, will be a “confidence booster” there still appears to be no indication as to who will be in his corner on the night.
Over recent weeks Boxing Scene has tried to contact Groves but he has been unavailable for comment.
Shaun Brown is Boxing Scene’s UK News Editor. Follow him on Twitter @sbrown2pt0 or contact him at sbrownboxing@gmail.com