George Groves vs. Robert Stieglitz ??

BoxingScene.com has been informed that SES Boxing, who promote WBO super middleweight champion Robert Stieglitz (41-2, 23KOs), secured the rights to the mandatory defense against British titleholder George Groves (14-0, 11KOs). The WBO held a purse bid earlier today in Budapest, Hungary. Reportedly SES submitted "around $800,000."

Stieglitz was scheduled to defend his title against Mikkel Kessler on April 14th in Coppenhagen, but BoxingScene broke the news earlier today that Kessler is still dealing with a right hand injury and withdrew from the contest . Kessler will return on May 19th against a new opponent.

Groves has a fight scheduled on Friday night in Wembley, as he faces dangerous puncher Kenny Anderson (15-1, 11KOs) in a rematch.

GrantZilla wrote:Anderson Livid: Did Groves Hurt His Little Toe Like Haye?

Kenny Anderson has reached out to BoxingScene.com to express his disappointment over the postponement of his British super-middleweight title challenge. The Edinburgh-based boxer was due to meet George Groves at Wembley Arena on Friday night only for Groves to withdraw due to an unspecified injury. Frank Warren, the show’s promoter, confirmed the news this afternoon.

Conspiracy theorists immediately started to ask if Groves-Anderson had been sacrificed in order to ensure that Groves gets to Stieglitz in May, Warren’s pledge that the bout will be rescheduled has failed to allay these fears. Anderson reacted with characteristic honesty when asked for his take on the day’s events.

“It is brutal because of all the effort we’ve put in,” said Anderson during a phone call to BoxingScene.com earlier this evening. “A lot of people sacrificed a lot of things. It is me that gets in there and fights, but everyone in my life makes sacrifices – I am gutted.”

“No, I heard that his arse fell out, eh?” growled the 29-year-old when asked if he has been told anything specific about Groves’ injury. “That is his official injury. Or maybe it is his little toe. He may have hurt his toe like David Haye did [against Wlad Klitschko]. I think it is very cowardly how they’ve done this. I think they’re going to have to look in the mirror and know that they’ve dodged me for no over reason than they don’t want to take the risk.

“I don’t believe in my heart that he’s injured. That is the feeling I’ve got. I don’t think they wanted to have this fight, it is too risky and they want this other fight [Stieglitz] because it is a bigger fish. If so then that is absolutely shocking, it is a terrible thing to do given the build-up and how much respect we’ve shown. If it happens then it is disgusting.”

http://tinyurl.com/7948787

Hagler's Bald Head wrote:Title shot > domestic rematch.

GrantZilla wrote:

Hagler's Bald Head wrote:Title shot > domestic rematch.

Yet you got mad at Fury for doing the same thing against Price.

GrantZilla wrote:Fury didn't though he turned down Price for taxi driver Rogan.

Hagler's Bald Head wrote:

GrantZilla wrote:Fury didn't though he turned down Price for taxi driver Rogan.

He's playing it safe to get a title shot. Same thing.

Dan Rafael
SES's winning purse bid for Stieglitz-Groves 168 title bout was $792K. Beat Frank Warren bid of $782K. April 28 in Germany.

Hagler's Bald Head wrote:

GrantZilla wrote:Anderson Livid: Did Groves Hurt His Little Toe Like Haye?

Kenny Anderson has reached out to BoxingScene.com to express his disappointment over the postponement of his British super-middleweight title challenge. The Edinburgh-based boxer was due to meet George Groves at Wembley Arena on Friday night only for Groves to withdraw due to an unspecified injury. Frank Warren, the show’s promoter, confirmed the news this afternoon.

Conspiracy theorists immediately started to ask if Groves-Anderson had been sacrificed in order to ensure that Groves gets to Stieglitz in May, Warren’s pledge that the bout will be rescheduled has failed to allay these fears. Anderson reacted with characteristic honesty when asked for his take on the day’s events.

“It is brutal because of all the effort we’ve put in,” said Anderson during a phone call to BoxingScene.com earlier this evening. “A lot of people sacrificed a lot of things. It is me that gets in there and fights, but everyone in my life makes sacrifices – I am gutted.”

“No, I heard that his arse fell out, eh?” growled the 29-year-old when asked if he has been told anything specific about Groves’ injury. “That is his official injury. Or maybe it is his little toe. He may have hurt his toe like David Haye did [against Wlad Klitschko]. I think it is very cowardly how they’ve done this. I think they’re going to have to look in the mirror and know that they’ve dodged me for no over reason than they don’t want to take the risk.

“I don’t believe in my heart that he’s injured. That is the feeling I’ve got. I don’t think they wanted to have this fight, it is too risky and they want this other fight [Stieglitz] because it is a bigger fish. If so then that is absolutely shocking, it is a terrible thing to do given the build-up and how much respect we’ve shown. If it happens then it is disgusting.”

http://tinyurl.com/7948787

Title shot > domestic rematch.

Hagler's Bald Head wrote:If Groves wins it'll be his gateway to nationwide exposure in the UK.

captainanddew wrote:

Hagler's Bald Head wrote:If Groves wins it'll be his gateway to nationwide exposure in the UK.

I don't disagree with that. Young British fighter beats Degale in the amateurs and the pros. Decent prospect. Much younger than the top 5 or so guys at 168.

It would be a step that would increase his nationwide exposure and would move him forward. But it doesn't make him a champ.

There are divisions where 4 guys have trinkets and it is hard to make sense of who is really the best in the division (as they don't face each other or are clearly not fighting top competition).

But at 168 Ward has moved to the top. He and Bute are the only two guys with any argument to being the best and a fight is coming.

Hagler's Bald Head wrote:Captain you've known me long enough to know that I don't view trinket holders as legit champs, if you look at it from Groves shoes you'll understand why you'd take this over a domestic rematch.

dbudge wrote:its hardly bitching out when you drop out of a fight with a guy you've already KO'd to face a guy ranked much higher than him. Stieglitz is a much tougher fight for Groves than Anderson. Groves has had 14 professional fights. yeh WBO belt is bullshit, but you've got to cut a developing fighter a bit of slack surely??