George Groves warned that Jamie Cox could be ‘most dangerous’ fighter in the World Boxing Super Series

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Groves takes on Jamie Cox (above) on Saturday night
Bryn Lennon/Getty Images
John Dillon12 October 2017

George Groves has been warned that he could be the victim of an upset at Wembley Arena on Saturday, with huge underdog Jamie Cox spurred on by a troubled past.

Groves, the WBA world champion, takes on the unbeaten but relatively unfancied Cox in the quarter-final of the new World Boxing Super Series of elimination “cup” fights.

The winner will meet IBO champion Chris Eubank Jr in the semi-final early in the New Year following his stunning third-round knockout of Turkey’s Avni Yildirim in Stuttgart last weekend.

Though Groves is a 1-7 chance with bookmakers to beat Cox, Eubank’s dad, Chris Sr, is far from underestimating the 31-year-old, who could face his son if successful.

He said: “Apart from my son, Chris Jr, Jamie Cox is the most dangerous man in the whole competition.

“He has the chance of redemption this weekend. George is a good champion. He does everything well. He has overcome a lot of adversity to get where he is. That is impressive. But Cox may be on a mission here. He has had troubles in the past and has been in prison.

“Now he has the chance to seize a world title and get a lifestyle that can take him away from all the hardships of life.”

However Groves, the Hammersmith-based 29-year-old, is widely expected to prevail and set up a huge domestic showdown against Eubank Jr which could take place at an outdoor stadium, possibly Fulham’s Craven Cottage football ground.

Cox, from Swindon, is undefeated in 24 fights and won the Commonwealth light-middleweight title in 2011.

But he has a chequered history after being convicted of assault outside a bar in his home town in 2010 and handed a six-month suspended sentence. He then served jail time early last year after again being convicted of assault during an attack on his ex-girlfriend.

However, he was released from prison in May 2016 and his conviction for assault was overturned following an appeal.

Cox’s convictions for harassment, violence to secure entry and criminal damage were suspended.

Groves prepares for a media workout at the Dale Youth ABC on October 10 Photo: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images
Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

Both Eubanks - junior and senior - will be at ringside on Saturday to study the potential opposition.

Former super-middleweight and middleweight champion Eubank Sr, 51, now guides his son’s career.

He added: “They’re making a Champions League of boxing in this competition. It has given Chris a level playing field to show what he can do when before, the dice were always loaded against him. Now we’re hoping that Groves sets things alight on Saturday, like Chris did in Germany last weekend, when he reminded me of Mike Tyson in the way he finished things off.

“There will be fireworks if they meet. All the people who ask why are there so many championships in boxing can see this tournament makes makes so much sense. It’s as easy to follow as the FA Cup.

“But I’m looking at Jamie Cox’s eyes and I see a man who may be on a mission.

“George took him as his pick as number one seed. But this is such a huge chance for him. He has wasted time and been his own worst enemy in the past.

“Nobody knows more about boxing than my old trainer, Ronnie Davies, who is 71 now and has been with myself and Junior for 30 years.

“He says Cox is dangerous - a rough and tumble fighter who will maybe use his head. Let’s see if he is on a mission.”

Groves won a world title at the fourth attempt when he beat Russian Fedor Chudinov to claim the WBA belt in Sheffield in May.

Eubank Sr added: “He has worked very, very hard over the years. He tried and tried and tried and he came through.

“That is what separates the wannabes from the champions. They are the ones who never give up.

“Junior has come through so much adversity, too. Now people are going crazy about him.

“He wants to prove himself a great champion and he can do that if he fights Groves and beats him.”

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