The World Boxing Super Series super middleweight final between world titleholder George Groves and Callum Smith will go ahead, tournament organizers announced Tuesday.
There was concern that Groves would be unable to participate because he suffered a dislocated left shoulder late in his unanimous decision win against British countryman Chris Eubank Jr. in the semifinals on Feb. 17 in Manchester, England.
Groves had what he said was a "minor operation" on the injury in the aftermath of the semifinals and said he would not be available to fight on the original date planned for the final -- June 2 -- at the O2 Arena in London. He said he needed about an additional month to be ready, and Comosa AG, the company putting on the tournament, considered replacing him in the final with Eubank.
However, whether it was the forceful media and fan criticism of that possible scenario or something else, Comosa AG elected to delay the final until "late August or early September to allow Groves as much time as possible to take part in the concluding night of the 168-pound competition" that will give the winner the Muhammad Ali Trophy, not to mention Groves' world title now that he will be able to participate. Comosa AG had hoped to finish the tournament by late July.
"As is the nature of injuries, especially the type of injury that George suffered, getting an exact recovery date is nearly impossible," said promoter Kalle Sauerland, Comosa AG's head of boxing. "We have been clear that the tournament has to finish within a certain time frame, but we also realize that Groves vs. Smith is the most ideal final. By pushing the super middleweight final date back as far as we can, we are giving fans the biggest chance of seeing this incredible matchup."
Sauerland said the specific date and venue for the bout will be announced "in the coming weeks."
Groves (28-3, 20 KOs), 30, of England, who will make his third title defense, was quite pleased that he will be allowed to finish what he started in the tournament.
"It is nice to get a provisional date," Groves said. "We have got something to work towards now. I have been in the gym for a while now, so when we get an exact date, we can focus in. We know about Smith. We have seen him for a long time and, obviously, I boxed his brother [Paul Smith, in a 2011 second-round knockout win]. We are supremely confident of getting the win and getting a good win. We already have some good sparring lined up, fighters similar to Smith. I am looking forward to getting back to work and winning the Ali Trophy."
Groves said after the injury in the semifinal that he was a "fast healer" and said on Tuesday that his shoulder is doing well.
"The injury recovery has been fine," Groves said. "It is just like we said it would be. It was a dislocated shoulder that required surgery to stabilize the joint."
Smith (24-0, 17 KOs), 28, of England, advanced to the final with a unanimous decision win against the Netherlands' Nieky Holzken (13-1, 10 KOs) on Feb. 24. Holzken, a tournament alternate preparing for a fight on the Feb. 24 undercard, was pressed into service as a late substitute for former light heavyweight world titlist Juergen Braehmer, who had withdrawn the week before the fight because of illness.
Smith also was pleased that the final would remain intact so he can finally get his long-awaited shot at a world title.
"It is great to finally to get the fight," Smith said. "It is the one I have wanted for a long time. I am really happy it is going to be Groves rather than anyone else. It is the fight the fans want too. I've been ticking over in the gym and staying prepared, but now I can switch on and aim towards a late summer date. Now that we have the date, even a rough one, I'm excited.
"The fact that the final of the Ali Trophy is against George, and for his title, I am made up. I have been waiting for a world title fight and feel like I have been unlucky at missing out on opportunities, but now I've finally got it."
The cruiserweight tournament final was also postponed and is awaiting a new date and venue. Southpaw Oleksandr Usyk (14-0, 11 KOs), 31, the 2012 Olympic heavyweight gold medalist from Ukraine who unified two world titles in the semifinals, and Russia's Murat Gassiev (26-0, 19 KOs), 24, who unified the two other major titles in the semifinals, are due to meet for the undisputed world championship. They were supposed to fight on May 11 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, but the fight was postponed after Usyk suffered what was announced as a minor elbow injury in training.