George Groves was knocked out in the seventh round by Callum Smith. This knock out allowed Smith to win the WBC Super Middleweight title along with also winning him the World Boxing Super Series Final.
Smith delivered a massive huge left hook in the middle of the seventh round that caused Groves to tumble into the corner while Smith following him. Smith delivered another to body sots with a final uppercut to send his opponent crashing down on his knees.
The tournament’s no. 1 seed struggled to get back on his feet while the referee Luis Pabon counting to ten as the round only progressed to two minutes and four seconds at the King Abdullah Sports City Indoor Arena located in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Smith not only became the WBA Super Champion but was also able to retain his WBC Diamond Belt along with winning the Ring Magazine Title and the famed Muhammad Ali Trophy.
It was the first world title fight for Smith but he made a stylish entry for the Super Middleweight. His accuracy and calmness was evident from the start but Groves still managed to give him a tough time with crisps midway, however Smith remained in control.
Both challengers shared a series of jabs fro 30 seconds and the first decent shoot was a overhand right delivered by Smith. This shot set the pace of the rest of the match and became Smith’s greatest asset in the match later.
28 years old Smith was comfortable in the second round while Groves giving impression that he was being caught by smart counter shots.
Groves finally felt troubled into the third round when Smith delivered him an accurate right that sent Groves in the corner.
The next two rounds continued with a normal pace with a series of razor sharp doubled up jabs from both opponents with several right hooks.
Groves was on the ropes again in the sixth round when Smith hit him hard on the head with a straight right. Seventh round was opened by Smith’s trademarked overhand right that placed Groves on the ropes again. He survived the first barrage but second one became the decisive one leaving him on his knees.
Groves’ said to media on his defeat, “we knew he could punch, he has the height and the reach and I really did not want to trade with him. I am going to have a good rest, I am not retiring, and it’s been a dogged year for me”.
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