Chris Eubank Jr v George Groves: Saint will be no walkover but Eubank tough to oppose

Eubank Jr v Groves
Saturday, 22:00 GMT
Live on ITV Box Office

We're barely into February and British fans already have a bout promising to be contender for fight of the year. At the business end of the World Boxing Super Series and warring Englishmen George Groves and Chris Eubank Jnr bid for a place in the final when meeting at the Manchester Arena on Saturday.

Eubank enjoys the support of Betfair traders, going into the contest an odds-on favourite, but there are plenty in the know who rate that as a mistake worthy of punishment. Groves is the more experienced man and will duck between the ropes much heavier on the night, being a natural super middle. Will he cash in the difference?

Progressive Eubank difficult to ignore

It's difficult to oppose Eubank. The 28-year-old may not be the darling of the British media, his dad usually close by to throw his opinion into the mix, acting as a protector to a son more than capable of handling things, but the fighter has done nothing but progress and impress since making his debut in this city over six years ago.

He arrives with a record reading 26 wins - 20 by knockout - against one defeat. That single reverse came against world champion Billy Joe Saunders back in 2014 via a split decision but the beaten man seemed to come out of it with more credit than the victor. Fans say he pushed BJS close and would beat the same man now, critics disagree, asking who has Junior beaten worth anything on the world stage? Many of his victims to date have been come-forward opponents who are there to be hit.

So, what's the right answer here? The son of a famous father who has been fed bait, or a prince ready to be crowned king? It'll certainly be a lot of fun finding out. Eubank can be found a strong favourite on the Betfair Sportsbook, 4/6 doing the rounds about win number 27. Those with a bit more confidence, after a bigger price, can try their luck on the KO/TKO result at 2.78 with the Betfair Exchange.

Saint George arrives on a run of knockout wins

It seems a long time ago now that George Groves put his reputation on the line against a confident fellow Brit in James DeGale. It was a gamble putting two of our most promising fighters in the ring together so early in their careers, but one that paid off. Groves nicked the bragging rights, courtesy of a majority decision, but both men went on to achieve great things in the sport.

Saint George wasn't as lucky against another countryman in Carl Froch, who dealt two of his three career defeats, both by TKO, round nine in 2013, round eight the following year. Since losing that double-header, Groves also slipped up vs Badou Jack - a truly underrated fighter on these shores - before getting his career back on track with six wins in-a-row.

A warrior with a point to prove, and one many have never taken too - we're not sure why - he's 2.64 to win the fight. He's set for a much sterner test here, but Groves has stopped four of his six comeback opponents and goes 4.80 to upset the odds inside the scheduled 12 round distance.

RECOMMENDED BETS

Back Eubank Jr to win @ 4/6 (Betfair Sportsbook)

Back Eubank Jr to win in rounds 7 - 12 @ 3/1 (Betfair Sportsbook)