George Groves vs. Eduard Gutknecht: Fight Time, Date, Live-Stream and TV Info
Super middleweight George Groves continues his quest to earn a fourth shot at a world title when he faces Eduard Gutknecht at Wembley Arena in London on Friday.
Groves (24-3, 18 KOs) makes the second defence of the WBA International belt as he looks to continue his perfect record since teaming up with new trainer Shane McGuigan. The pairing has managed three straight wins to date, including outpointing fellow Englishman Martin Murray last time out.
Gutknecht (30-4-1, 13 KOs) should provide another solid test. The German-based Kazakh is dropping back down to the 168-pound limit after recently campaigning at light heavyweight.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
However, Saint George will be keen to put on a show on free-to-air television. While the main event is on Channel 5, Spike will broadcast the best of the undercard, including highly rated flyweight Andrew Selby.
When: Friday, November 18, 10 p.m. GMT (5 p.m. ET)
Where: Wembley Arena, London
TV: Channel 5 (UK)
Live Stream: Sky Go (UK)
| George Groves | Eduard Gutknecht |
| W Martin Murray (Points 12) | W Artem Redko (KO 3) |
| W David Brophy (KO 4) | L Juergen Braehmer (Points 12) |
| W Andrea Di Luisa (TKO 5) | W Arman Torosyan (TKO 4) |
| L Badou Jack (Points 12) | W Slavisa Simeunovic (Retired 5) |
| W Denis Douglin (TKO 7) | W Steve Kroekel (TKO 3) |
BoxRec
Win or Bust
For Groves, only wins will do at this stage of his professional career.
It might seem odd to say for a fighter who's had just 27 bouts and won't turn 29 until next March, but the Londoner has very little margin for error. Lose in a fight like this one and he has nowhere really to turn.
However, his only three pro defeats so far all came in failed world-title shots.
Carl Froch denied his compatriot twice, but the one that really stings is the reverse against WBC holder Badou Jack last year. Groves recovered from an early knockdown to take control of the contest, only to fade badly late on and lose on points.
The disappointing display against Jack led to changes. Trainer Paddy Fitzpatrick departed the team to be replaced by McGuigan, who was charged with the responsibility of getting Saint George sparkling again.
The signs so far have been promising.
Andrea Di Luisa and David Brophy were easily dispatched before he cleared a tougher hurdle in Murray. In winning, Groves displayed not just a renewed sharpness in attack, but also excellent stamina, a welcome sign having run out of steam against Jack down the stretch.
Groves is now ranked No. 3 with the WBA. There could be the opportunity to fight Fedor Chudinov for the vacant Super title in 2017, or instead a clash with regular champion Tyron Zeuge.
"If the 'Super' option doesn't go my way then I would love to fight Zeuge," the former British, Commonwealth and European champion told Matt Horan of Sky Sports. "I would beat him every day of the week.
"We are both under the Sauerland banner so it is very easily made. I'm glad that he managed to win the title because it can only benefit my situation and gives me plenty of options going forward."
Before picking a route to the top, though, Groves needs to navigate his way past Gutknecht. It is a banana skin he simply has to avoid.
Dream Comes True
While other super middleweights would be worried about a fighter of Groves' calibre, Gutknecht is relishing the opportunity.
"It has always been my wish to fight George because he is one of the world's most elite boxers. So this is my dream come true," the 34-year-old said at Wednesday's press conference.
Be careful what you wish for Eduard.
The visiting fighter's record contains plenty of wins but few triumphs over notable names at either super middle or light heavyweight. There was a spell as European champion at 175 pounds but attempts to move on to the next level have ended in disappointment.
However, the visiting fighter does hold a famous win over middleweight king Gennady Golovkin, albeit back in 2005 when the pair were amateurs.
"I came in as an outsider but I beat Golovkin on points in the first fight and then went on to win the tournament. It was a big deal," Gutknecht told George Gigney of Boxing News.
Unlike GGG, Gutknecht hasn't quite hit the heights in the paid ranks. And, like Groves, he's fallen short in his attempts to win a world title.
Gutknecht lost to WBO super middleweight champion Robert Stieglitz in 2010 and, more recently, missed out on taking the WBA light heavyweight strap from Juergen Braehmer in March.
On each occasion the challenger went the distance. It seems Energy Eddy rarely runs out of steam, although stamina may not be enough to produce a huge upset in the English capital.
Prediction
Groves is a heavy favourite. A really heavy favourite. Per Odds Shark, he's 1-25 for victory on home turf, a price that is unlikely to attract a lot of interest.
Therefore, this fight is less about the result and more about the performance. Against a durable foe, he can show off his continued improvements under McGuigan and make a statement to the rest of the division.
Gutknecht's KO ratio of 37 per cent suggests he lacks enough power to seriously threaten an upset. It also seems unlikely he can hope to outbox his foe over 12 rounds and triumph on the cards.
If he retains focus, Groves can succeed where Stieglitz and Braehmer failed by putting away Gutknecht inside the distance. A patient approach will pay off with a stoppage win in the closing rounds.
Bleacher Report will provide live updates of the main event on Friday. Join us for updates from 9:30 p.m. GMT (4:30 p.m. ET).
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
