George Groves Stars in London, but Will He Ever Get His Hands on a World Title?

The satisfaction George Groves would have felt after his victory over Eduard Gutknecht didn't last for long.

The super middleweight retained his WBA International title at Wembley Arena on Friday, overcoming the odd moment of concern to triumph by a landslide on the scorecards.

Gutknecht was everything we expected. Determined and defiant, Energy Eddy lived up to his nickname, pressing forward incessantly for the first half of the bout despite taking counter shots by the boatload.

However, his willingness to keep attacking took a toll. For the final quarter, it became apparent the challenger's only ambition was getting through to the final bell, rather than recording an upset on the road.

Gutknecht's right eye was swollen shut by the end of the fight. Then, 30 minutes after the verdict was announced, he collapsed in his dressing room.

The German was treated at the venue before going to hospital, where he underwent surgery for a bleed on the brain. Per Chris McKenna of the Daily Star, Gutknecht remained "heavily sedated as doctors continue to monitor his progress" on Monday.

After learning of his opponent's situation, Groves understandably cancelled his post-fight press conference. The following day, he used Twitter to issue a statement:

While Gutknecht battles to make a full recovery (and fingers crossed he does just that), Groves will eventually focus on his continued quest to win a world title.

The Englishman is waiting in the wings for a fourth opportunity at a major belt. He's ranked No. 3 with the WBA, who are minus a super champion after Felix Sturm vacated the strap. The governing body's regular champion, meanwhile, is Groves' Sauerland Promotion stable-mate Tyron Zeuge.

So, can Groves finally become a world champion? Talent-wise, of course he can.

Zeuge may have dethroned Giovanni De Carolis this month, but the 24-year-old German wouldn't hold any fears. But it doesn't really matter who Groves ends up facing, or for what belt. The identity of the opponent isn't the determining factor in the outcome.

It's not a matter of styles suiting him—Groves can adapt to any situation.

He has been in with the best at super middleweight in recent years. He gave Carl Froch fits and is still the only man to hold a win over current IBF champion (not to mention bitter rival) James DeGale in the paid ranks.

No, Groves' hopes of glory rest on him winning an internal battle. He has to overcome the doubts in his mind if he is to clear a mental hurdle now the size of Becher's Brook at the Grand National.

Those three previous failures in world-title challenges must have left their scars.

The loss to Froch in November 2013 was painful because of the timing of the stoppage, while the rematch the following year went wrong just as it seemed to be going right. Seemingly taking control at Wembley Stadium in the English capital, Groves left himself open to a huge right hand in Round 8.

Yet there was no shame in suffering back-to-back defeats to Froch. The challenger was booed to the ring in Manchester, England, for the first meeting with his compatriot, only to be cheered out of it after the intervention of referee Howard Foster. He lost both fights but won plenty of new admirers.

No, it is the defeat to Badou Jack in September 2016 that should really sting.

Knocked down in Round 1, Saint George recovered impressively. He looked destined to fulfil his obvious potential and seize the WBC belt as the rounds ticked by, only to dramatically fade down the stretch and lose on a split-decision verdict.

The defeat led to a change of trainer. Paddy Fitzpatrick departed the corner—in came Shane McGuigan to replace him.

The switch has clearly put a bit of sparkle back into Groves' game. There's more snap in his outstanding jab, for starters. McGuigan has clearly made a difference in just four fights together, yet there's still work to do.

Groves' defensive deficiencies that cost him dearly against Froch and Jack were still evident against Gutknecht. You cannot help but wince when he gets caught by a big punch, fearing it's all about to unravel again.

There's a famous line in Forrest Gump when Tom Hanks' lead character explains while waiting for a bus: "Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get."

The truth is you actually always get a little card with a box of chocolates to tell you what is inside each one. But when Groves steps between the ropes, you really don't know what you're gonna get.

He's had first-round knockdowns for and against him. He's troubled the cream of the crop at 168 pounds. He dazzles when given time and space to work in. His jab sets the table better than the Queen's top butler, and that cocked right hand carries plenty of power, as Froch can testify.

Yet there is always that element of worry over Groves, even if his fragility provides great entertainment. He leaves his left hand too low at times to encourage overhand rights. Froch can testify to that, too.

Groves doesn't forever want to be known as the nearly man, the fighter who fell short on each occasion he had a glorious chance to climb to the summit.

In beating Gutknecht, the 28-year-old once again demonstrated he has the qualities to become a world champion. Now all he needs is another shot.

When that time finally comes, he must surely know he has to grasp it with both hands. One more failure will lead to questions over his future. There are only so many times you can make changes to your corner—and Groves is on trainer No. 3 now.

He, not the man giving instructions to him from outside the ropes, has his destiny in his hands. If he remembers to keep them up in the ring, he should finally be able to achieve his goal.

Don't expect it to be straightforward, though. Nothing ever is with George Groves.

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