RingSide Report

World News, Social Issues, Politics, Entertainment and Sports

George Groves Defeats Eduard Gutknecht – Boxing News

grovesBy Jeffrey “Italian Medallion” Cellini

At the Wembley SS Arena in London, England, George Groves 25-3, 18 KO’s defeated Eduard Gutknecht, 30-5-1, 13 KO’s by unanimous decision in a twelve-round super middleweight clash. The 28-year Englishman is hoping to gain a fourth opportunity for a world title shot after an impressive showing. Two of the judges scored the contest 119- 119-109 while the third judge scored the bout 119-110. After the fight Gutknecht fell ill in his changing room and was taken out on a stretcher to hospital.

Gutknecht, known for his amateur win over Gennady Golovkin, attacked Groves from the opening bell, and seized to look for an early advantage based on his work-rate. Despite Gutknecht’s ability to close the distance and restrict the power in Groves’ punches, the German-based fighter began to absorb a lot of punishment by the mid-rounds. The 34-year old Gutknecht began eating numerous big rights from Groves in the sixth, seventh and eighth rounds.

Trailing on all the scorecards, Gutknecht attempted another assault in the ninth round, but suffered a significant cut by his swollen left eye. Impressively he succeeded in taking further punishment as the aggressive Groves continued to land with powerful combinations and counters, surviving to the final bell and inevitably dropping the decision.

“Saint George” has now won four straight fights in a row since his split-decision loss to WBC World Super Middleweight champion Badou Jack in September 2015. Groves lost back-to-back title fights to then-IBF/WBA World Super Middleweight champion Carl Froch back in November 2013 and May 2014.

Groves’ long-term rival and IBF champion, James DeGale, faces Jack in the unification fight in January that will establish the 168lb-division’s leading fighter. Should DeGale and Groves continue to win, a rematch six years after their first professional fight would become one of the biggest British match-ups that could be made in 2017.

[si-contact-form form=’2′]

Leave a Reply