George Groves (19-2, 15 KOs) and Denis Douglin (17-3, 10 KOs) came face-to-face for the first time at today’s press conference ahead of their WBC Silver World Super Middleweight Championship fight on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
There is a lot on the line for the ‘Saint’, who risks both his WBC Silver title and WBC mandatory position, when he faces the ‘Mommas Boy’ in front of a sell out crowd at the Echo Arena in Liverpool.
“It’s great to be back boxing in Liverpool,” said Groves. “It’s been a successful place for me in the past. On Saturday, it’s going to be a great night of boxing and I’m really looking forward to it.
“It’s good to finally see Denis. He seems super charged and up for the fight. I’m expecting a tough fight but I’m fully prepared for it. We’ve had a fantastic camp. I’m ready to put into practice what we’ve been working on the past year. This is when we can really step it up a notch.”
“I’m truly excited for this fight,” said Douglin. “I’ve come here to win! I didn’t come over here just to lie down as an opponent. Although I’ve only had twenty fights, I consider myself a veteran. I’ve lost against people I wasn’t meant to lose against and beaten people I wasn’t supposed to beat. I’ve seen both sides of the spectrum when it comes to boxing and I can make the adjustments to handle anything.
“If he comes to box, I can box him. If he steps to me and he wants to fight, we can do that too, that’s what I love to do and that’s what the fans love. Whatever he brings to the table, I’m prepared for.”
Groves’ clash with Douglin is part of a massive bill in Liverpool topped by the rematch between bitter rivals Cleverly and Bellew. One of Groves’ arch-enemies James DeGale takes on Marco Antonio Periban over 12 rounds at Super Middleweight, while the exciting Liverpool Super Middleweight Callum Smith faces Nikola Sjekloca in a WBC World title eliminator.
There are a pair of WBA World title bouts as Bury star Scott Quigg defends his Super Bantamweight title against Hidenori Othake and Jamie McDonnell defends his Bantamweight strap against Javier Chacon.
Olympic Heavyweight hero Anthony Joshua MBE takes on Michael Sprott in a British title eliminator, Matchroom Boxing’s newest signing Bradley Saunders aims to extend his unbeaten run in the Light Welterweight division while German KO star Vincent Feigenbutz makes his UK debut.
Cleverly v Bellew II is exclusively live on Sky Sports Box Office on 22 November with George Groves, Anthony Joshua and James DeGale also on the bill. skysports.com/cleverlybellew.
