Cyclone Promotions, in association with Team Sauerland, are delighted to announce that George Groves will defend his WBA International super middleweight title against Germany’s two-time world title challenger Eduard Gutknecht at the SSE Arena, Wembley on Friday November 18, live and exclusively on Channel 5, sponsored by Maxi-Nutrition.
Hammersmith’s ‘Saint’ George Groves is currently on an impressive win streak having swept aside Manchester’s former world title challenger Martin Murray in his last bout. Groves now takes on Germany’s respected former two-time world title challenger Eduard Gutknecht, in what is surely a make-or-break contest for both men. The winner of Groves v Gutknecht can look forward to a world title shot in 2017 while the loser will almost certainly have to contemplate a life beyond the ropes.
This intriguing cross-roads fight will be screened live and exclusively in the UK on Channel 5 and represents the first fight on terrestrial television for the popular Groves.
‘Saint’ George Groves is a former three-time world title challenger who has been involved in some of the biggest fights in British boxing history. Since linking up with 2016 BBBofC Trainer of the Year Shane McGuigan, Groves has looked like a man on a mission. His current three-fight win streak has catapulted the twenty-eight year old back into world title contention.
With the super middleweight division currently being one of the hottest in world boxing, Groves can look forward to a plethora of potential exciting title shots in 2017, if he can defeat Gutknecht on November 18 at the SSE Arena, Wembley.
Berlin-based Eduard Gutknecht is a former amateur star and one of only four men to have defeated current pound-for-pound king Gennady ‘GGG’ Golovkin in the amateurs. Gutknecht, 30 – 4 – 1, has twice fought for the world title against Robert Stieglitz, for the WBO super middleweight crown in 2012, and earlier this year when he pushed former WBA light heavyweight champ Juergen Braehmer all the way in an enthralling battle. Former European (EBU) and WBA Inter Continental champion Gutknecht is known as ‘Energy Eddy’ on account of his relentless work rate, meaning Hammersmith’s Groves will have to be at his very best on November 18 at the SSE Arena, Wembley if he is to keep his world title aspirations intact.
GEORGE GROVES QUOTE: “I'm extremely happy to announce this fight and am excited to be headlining on Channel 5. I have been fortunate in my boxing career so far to experience almost everything the sport has to offer but to be fighting live on terrestrial TV is something that has always been very high up on my bucket list.
Working with Shane and the McGuigan team in the gym has been fantastic and has shown me the difference that working with a winning team can make. I believe that my performances this year, in particular the win over Martin Murray, has shown everyone that I continue to be a serious force on the super middleweight scene.
It goes without saying that I am now determined to challenge again, and this time succeed, in becoming a World Champion. I feel that working alongside Cyclone Promotions for this fight, as well as with my promoters Team Sauerland, with the opportunity to be back headlining in front of a home crowd close to West London, is the perfect move for me - especially with the chance to showcase myself to a larger audience.
Cyclone have promoted terrific events across Britain and some of the Belfast shows I've attended have been some of the best I’ve ever experienced. I hope to replicate the amazing atmosphere and buzz of my previous fights at Wembley Arena and am looking forward to another big win.”
EDUARD GUTKNECHT QUOTE: “I will come to London on November 18 full of Energy and conquer with my Viking Box team. I only want to fight winners and make them lose!
“George Groves is a winner and a world class fighter but so am I. The fans in London are in for a hell of a fight on November 18.”
SHANE McGUIGAN QUOTE: “This is a must win fight for George. We’ve worked extremely hard this year and November 18 is a chance for George to make another important step towards becoming a world champion.
“Eduard Gutknecht is a proven operator who we cannot afford to take lightly. Eddy has a high punch output and is extremely durable so we are preparing for twelve hard rounds.
“George is improving with each camp and I believe that he will be crowned world champion in the near future, but first and foremost he has to perform well against Eduard Gutknecht on November 18.”
NISSE SAUERLAND QUOTE: ‘’We’re delighted to be working with the McGuigan’s and Cyclone Promotions to deliver George this fantastic opportunity to fight on terrestrial television.
‘’Having sold out Wembley Stadium and been involved in a number of high profile championship fights, George is one the most recognisable figures in British boxing and will be a great addition to Channel 5’s boxing content.
‘’He looked back to his very best with an impressive performance against Martin Murray earlier this year, and we expect him to look even better when he steps into the ring on November 18 to build towards another world title challenge.
‘’We know Eduard Gutknecht well, and we know he is an opponent you cannot afford to overlook, but we trust in George and his trainer Shane McGuigan to prepare the perfect game plan, and to deliver an exciting fight for the fans.’'
BARRY McGUIGAN QUOTE: “This is going to be a cracking fight and I’m delighted that it will be live and exclusive on Channel 5. Styles make fights and this one has all the ingredients needed for a fantastic contest.
“It’s George’s power and skill against Gutknecht’s relentless work-rate and granite chin, the fans will not be disappointed on November 18 at Wembley Arena.
“This is also going to be great telegenic fight and it’s important for our sport that top-level fights such as this are given a platform like Channel 5.”
Doors will open at 5.30pm at the SSE Arena, Wembley on Friday November 18, with boxing starting at 6.30pm. More information on the undercard will be announced shortly.
TICKETS FOR GROVES vs GUTKNECHT ARE ON SALE TOMORROW (FRIDAY OCTOBER 7) FROM 9AM AND ARE PRICED AT £40, £60, £100 + HANDLING FEES, AVAILABLE FROM AXS.COM AND SSEARENA.CO.UK. VIP TICKETS FROM £250 WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM CYCLONEPROMOTOTIONS.COM.