Summary

  • Groves retains WBA title after unanimous points win

  • Groves is due to face Callum Smith or Jurgen Brahmer in the World Boxing Super Series final

  • Get involved: #bbcboxing

  1. Postpublished at 22:00 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February 2018

    George Groves v Chris Eubank Jr

    It is a great sight as the strobe lights that you have seen in the pictures go backwards and forwards, lighting up the Manchester Arena.

    The fans are in their seats, hold on to your hats. This is going to be good.

  2. The big man at the big eventpublished at 21:58 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February 2018

    George Groves v Chris Eubank Jr

    Luke Reddy
    BBC Sport boxing reporter at Manchester Arena

    Tyson Fury got in the ring in Isaac Lowe's corner (during his draw with Ryan Walsh). His body shape compared to when he was here with Hughie Fury in September is hugely different. Looks far leaner. This comeback is gathering pace.

    Tyson FuryImage source, PA
  3. get involved

    Get Involved #bbcboxingpublished at 21:56 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February 2018

    George Groves v Chris Eubank Jr

    Alan Davis: I’ve got to go with George Groves he can grinding the win or deliver a blow when needed.

    Naim Rahman: Everyone seems to underestimate Eubank Jr saying he can't box. He will provide everyone wrong tonight and step up to the elite level.

    Liam Atherton: I definitely see the speed of Eubank Jr coming out on top Groves has the power but shown he has a suspect chin out on his feet against Froch.

  4. Can Jr step it up?published at 21:55 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February 2018

    George Groves v Chris Eubank Jr

    Mike Costello
    BBC Sport boxing correspondent

    I think there is a parallel here to Eubank Jr when he faced Billy Joe Saunders in 2014. We knew what we would get with Saunders, we knew Eubank Jr would have to produce more than he had in his career. It is exactly the same here.

    He may have the potential and those backing him are backing that potential but for me he has to produce more than he has in his career to beat George Groves.

    There’s a lot of social media fervor behind Eubank, as there is with Anthony Joshua. I think there is momentum. His quarter-final win was mighty impressive. Also, there is a perception he will be too fresh and hungry than Groves.

    I think this fight will be won at distance. If George Groves can keep Chris Eubank at the end of a very powerful jab, I think that could be key. I side with George Groves, unlike the bookmakers. It is ultimately fascinating because their styles are so different.

  5. Crolla's backing Eubank Jr...published at 21:54 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February 2018

    George Groves v Chris Eubank Jr

    Former world lightweight champion Anthony Crolla has been giving his thoughts on the big fight. And just like so many others, is in two minds about the result.

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  6. Walsh v Lowe ends in a drawpublished at 21:53 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February 2018

    George Groves v Chris Eubank Jr

    Ryan Walsh and Isaac Lowe have just given their all for 12 rounds, with the British Featherweight title on the line, only for it to end in a draw.

  7. Postpublished at 21:50 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February 2018

    George Groves v Chris Eubank Jr

    Rangers midfielder Josh Windass and Warrington Wolves prop Chris Hill are among those looking forward to tonight's fight...

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  8. Postpublished at 21:48 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February 2018

    George Groves v Chris Eubank Jr

    Not long to go now. We are expecting to see the fighters in just over 10 minutes.

  9. Boston whitewash...published at 21:47 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February 2018

    Groves v Eubank

    Luke Reddy
    BBC Sport boxing reporter at Manchester Arena

    Fans from BostonImage source, .

    Boston in Lincolnshire is quite the journey but these guys have made it.

    Like others, they are swayed by the quality of the main event on paper.

    It’s a George Groves whitewash for Stuart Beagles, Simon Newby, Daniel Mustil and Liam West.

  10. get involved

    Get Involved #bbcboxingpublished at 21:47 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February 2018

    George Groves v Chris Eubank Jr

    Ianfrombristol: Two top-notch fighters. Looking forward to a good, close fight. Not too bothered who wins.

    Topman: This will be a close one to call. Eubank has the speed and will cause Groves problems in the earlier rounds. But I believe Groves will use all his experience and guile boxing behind the jab to win on points.

    Tony Di Wonderful: I dont like Eubank but I don't rate Groves. Him having a belt is just another example of watered down titles. Eubank to win in nine.

  11. Celeb spotting...published at 21:46 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February 2018

    Groves v Eubank

    Luke Reddy
    BBC Sport boxing reporter at Manchester Arena

    Head scratcher of a ringside duo here. Liam Payne of One Direction fame is I believe sat next to Great Britain Olympic hero from 2000 Denise Lewis.

    They are having a right natter.

  12. Eubank is an extremely good fighter, but can't handle a boxer - Saunderspublished at 21:46 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February 2018

    George Groves v Chris Eubank Jr

    WBO world middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders, the only man to beat Chris Eubank Jr, has given his thoughts on the fight.

    He said: "You're either an extremely good fighter or an extremely good boxer. Eubank is an extremely good fighter but can't handle a boxer. If Groves boxes him, he'll win; if he gets careless, he'll get beat."

  13. Potential next opponent Smith tips Grovespublished at 21:44 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February 2018

    George Groves v Chris Eubank Jr

    Great Britain's Callum Smith, who faces Germany's Jurgen Brahmer in the other World Boxing Super Series semi-final next week: "Groves has got the jab, the boxing brain and the size on his side. I think his weakness is his stamina whereas Eubank's strength is his stamina.

    "I will pick Groves on points. I believe he will win the early rounds with a few rocky moments later on."

    Callum SmithImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Callum Smith beat Erik Skoglund in his Super Series quarter-final and could meet either Groves or Eubank Jr in the final

  14. get involved

    Get Involved #bbcboxingpublished at 21:40 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February 2018

    George Groves v Chris Eubank Jr

    Andrew Priestley: Eubank Jr with his hand speed and sharpness of mind will out power Groves tonight, as long as he has the stamina to last to the later rounds. Groves will be dangerous given his big fight experience, albeit negative experiences.

    Rob Elmore: Eubank Jr will be unbeaten for the rest of his career.

    Petit Bijou: Eubank to win. Groves had too many loses and taken too many punches to win.

  15. Something predictable...published at 21:37 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February 2018

    Luke Reddy
    BBC Sport boxing reporter at Manchester Arena

    BarImage source, .

    The fight may be a lottery but where people spend their hard earned isn’t.

    It may not surprise you to know that on a Saturday night in Manchester the bar is doing a roaring trade but the candy floss stand is struggling for business.

    Who’d have seen that one coming?

    Candy floss at the boxing. What next? Half and half scarf anyone?

    Candy floss storeImage source, .
  16. The Eubank boxing familypublished at 21:36 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February 2018

    We have already had one Eubank win tonight. Sebastian Eubank made his professional debut on the undercard, beating Kamil Kulczyk of Poland on a wide points decision in their four-round light-heavyweight contest.

    Sebastian Eubank (pictured below) knocked Kulczyk down in round one, before getting a 40-35 points win.

    Obviously boxing is in the Eubank blood. And it is not just Sebastian and Chris Jr that have followed in the family business. Harlem Eubank, a cousin of Chris Jr, is a highly-rated super-lightweight with three wins to his name from his three pro bouts.

    Harlem himself is the son of another boxing Eubank, Simon, who was a professional and fought at super-welterweight from 1984-1992.

    And there's more. I haven't even mentioned Peter Eubank, another brother of Chris Sr, who fought 35 times in the 1980s and early 1990s.

    Sebastian EubankImage source, Getty Images
  17. 'Equivalent to at least three wars'published at 21:35 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February 2018

    How about this for a prediction from former WBO super-middleweight champion Chris Eubank Sr, who expects his son to win a world title in the same weight category as he had done back in the 1990s.

    Earlier this week, Eubank Sr wrote on Twitter: "If Junior doesn't knockout George Groves, the fight will be equivalent to at least three wars for Groves if the ref doesn't have to stop it. Moreover, Groves doesn't have three hard fights left in him so my forecast for him is bleak.

    "About Groves' bigger size; the penny may now drop when (I) remind you that Mike Tyson was 5ft 10in."

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  18. Under the lights...published at 21:33 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February 2018

    Luke Reddy
    BBC Sport boxing reporter at Manchester Arena

    Manchester arenaImage source, .

    The World Boxing Super Series may be new but in its quest to be different, the tournament hits a top note with the ringside experience.

    The lights just engulf that patch where all eyes are glued to an extent it’s unlike any other boxing event we see in this country.

    Both of these men dreamed of fighting in environments like this. Come 10pm it will be a bear pit with fancy lighting.

    Manchester arenaImage source, .
  19. ‘Throw back fight’published at 21:31 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February 2018

    Groves v Eubank

    Steve Bunce
    BBC Radio 5 live boxing pundit

    This is not fake excitement. The joy that these two came through their quarter-finals, for it to then happen, sell out and be the event it is, this really is a throw-back fight. The last time we talked about an all-British fight like this was Groves against Carl Froch back in 2013 and 2014.

    I fancy Eubank for his speed. I know George has a better jab and has a longer reach, he probably has a harder single right hand but I keep coming back to speed and how often Eubank Jr can hit him.

    He is a smarter fighter than people give him credit for. Over the last couple of years, a real smartness has developed.

    Hunger will not play a part because George Groves is one of the hungriest fighters out there. He's one of the worst losers I know, the type who cries for days after a defeat.

    These are two men who could go back to any time and any era and be great.

    Carl Froch v George GrovesImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    80,000 people watched the second fight between Carl Froch and George Groves in 2014, with Froch winning via an eighth-round knockout

  20. get involved

    Get Involved #bbcboxingpublished at 21:27 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February 2018

    George Groves v Chris Eubank Jr

    ProudCornishMan: I see Groves being the boxer who is bigger, stronger and with longer reach, allied with his sound boxing brain having the beating of Eubank. Only way Eubank wins is if Groves tears up his/trainer's fight plan.

    ArleneSaysNo: Groves hits hard and is too big for Eubank. Still be a good fight.

    Belafonte: This is not a 50/50 fight. Eubank simply the BEST.

    George GrovesImage source, Getty Images