By Terence Dooley
British/Commonwealth champion George Groves (13-0, 10KOs) will defend his titles against veteran Paul Smith (31-2, 17KOs) on December 17th at the Echo Arena in Liverpool. Although Paul lost the 168-pound British title to James DeGale in December, he insists that he can still make an impact on ‘Saint’ George despite indications that he would pursue middleweight titles.
His reason? “I want my title back!” - Smith charged while speaking to BoxingScene.com.
“As soon as Groves beat DeGale I went over and asked Dean if he could make the fight. I always wanted Groves because I can beat him. Our styles will gel, he is made for me and I know I can get him out of there," Smith told BoxingScene.com. “It is a fight I’ve wanted. It is the harder route but I have two notches on the Lonsdale belt already. If it puts me back towards European and world titles then I’ll be where I was when I lost to DeGale.
“Everything will come into it with Groves. People rave about him like he’s the next coming of Thomas Hearns but he’s nothing special. He’s tough, heavy handed but he’s not this massive digger, he is a naturally strong kid with a questionable chin. I don’t think his chin is good – other kids have rattled him before. If Kenny Anderson were fit he’d have stopped him, if Anderson had notice we wouldn’t be talking about Groves right now. He is limited, people rave about him, he gets publicity and rave reviews but is just strong, that is all he’s ever had.”