HAMMERSMITH’S George Groves made it plain on Saturday night that anything fierce rival James DeGale can do – Groves can do it better.
Just three weeks after his former Dale Youth clubmate lifted the European Super-Middleweight crown Groves (pic) flattened Liverpool’s Paul Smith inside two rounds at Wembley Arena.
When Degale beat Smith nearly a year ago, it took him nine rounds to dispose of the one-time champion.
But the boxer they call St George wanted a slaying out of the way as soon as possible.
A cagey first round gave way to a dramatic and brutal second, as after just one minute 18 seconds the fight was brought to a stop by referee Victor Loughlin.
For a split second Smith lost concentration, and the 23-year-old pounced, smashing a right into Smith’s chin.
The Liverpudlian beat the referee’s count but was clearly stunned by the strike and a few second later Groves hammered Smith’s temple, again with the right, and he fell again.
It was clear the fight was over and Loughlin agreed, ending the bout without a count – Smith complained but later admitted it had been the right call.
Full story in Friday’s Fulham & Hammersmith Chronicle.
