Callum Smith knocks out George Groves to win world title
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Updated 28/09/2018 at 21:17 GMT
Callum Smith knocked out George Groves with a devastating seventh-round ambush as he seized the WBA super-middleweight title in the World Boxing Super Series showdown in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Callum Smith
Image credit: Reuters
The Liverpudlian, 28, extended his perfect record to 25-0, while Groves can expect to field questions about his future following a fourth defeat in his last 13 fights.
A tight affair exploded into life in the seventh round when a huge left glove from Smith left Groves stumbling for the corner, where the former rained down punch after punch to send his opponent to the canvas.
The referee moved in to issue a 10 count, but Groves simply shook his head and clung onto the rope. His career revival was over.
"It has been a long time coming and there have been times where you doubt if a chance will come," Smith said in the ring afterwards.
I know how good I am and knew I had the ability. I had a slow couple of years and people forgot about me. I think tonight I reminded people... I feel like I was beating him at his own game, it was a boxing match at range. We knew he could be patient and try and set you up all night. I knew I could do that myself. I got my big shots off first and he couldn't take it.
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George Groves takes a pounding from Callum Smith
Image credit: Reuters
Groves insisted he would not retire after the fight, but when he reviews the evidence from a harrowing night at the King Abdullah Sports City he may yet reconsider.
The only previous time the 30-year-old had ventured outside Europe had resulted in a split decision defeat to Sweden’s Badou Jack in Las Vegas.
He mounted a terrific comeback from that 2015 reversal, winning seven straight fights, but he faces an arguably greater task if he is to win back his world title.
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