![]() ![]() Holzken, 34, from Helmond in the Netherlands, had been preparing to face Russia's Dmitrii Chudinov on the undercard of Smith's semifinal. Smith, from Liverpool, had never heard of Holzken before the Dutchman was drafted in on Monday after Braehmer pulled out with flu.īetter known for his kickboxing and Muay Thai exploits, Holzken (13-1, 10 KOs) had never boxed anywhere near this level before and went 12 rounds for the first time in his 14th professional fight. "I don't expect it to go the distance."Īs well as victory securing Smith his first world title shot, it was also a first defense of his WBC Diamond belt, which keeps Smith front of the queue for a shot at the WBC version of the world title. "We're going to find out the full details on Monday, but I'm tremendously confident I will fight Callum Smith," said Groves. Groves expects to know more about his injury this week. "He's the fight I wanted in the final because he's got what all of us in the tournament want ," said Smith. ![]() The final may be pushed back to later in June if Londoner Groves needs more time to recover from injury. Smith (24-0, 17 KOs), 27, versus Groves (28-3, 20 KOs), 29, is provisionally scheduled for June 2 at London's O2 Arena.īut the date is unconfirmed as Groves dislocated his left shoulder during a unanimous points win over English rival Chris Eubank Jr. "People were saying he's a kickboxer and I should knock him out, so there was a lot of pressure. I was using my jab, and it was about making sure I'm in that final. Did I underestimate him? Maybe a little bit, but it was all about getting through to the final. "It was a little bit disappointing because I wanted to fight Jurgen Braehmer," said Smith. The WBSS' first season has consistently provided thrills and spills in its two competitions at super middleweight and cruiserweight.īut this semifinal was a bit predictable and Smith admitted it was also a bit anticlimactic. Smith was a clear winner without producing anything spectacular in a one-paced performance. Smith dominated behind his piston-like jab with a risk-averse strategy, as he contained rather than bludgeoned the plucky Holzken, who stepped in at five days' notice to replace ill Jurgen Braehmer. WBA world super middleweight champion Groves watched on from ringside as Smith pounded out scores of 118-110, 117-111 and 117-111 at the Arena Nürnberger Versicherung in Nuremberg, Germany. ![]() My main goal is to get the win and I will do that regardless, whoever is in the corner.You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browserĬallum Smith takes down Nieky Holzken, will face George Groves in WBSS finalĬallum Smith eased past Nieky Holzken by unanimous points decision on Saturday to set up a World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) final with English rival George Groves. He seems to be relatively heavy-handed so I have to be professional, stay switched on and treat him like I would Braehmer. He exclusively told talkSPORT: "I believe I am good enough to adapt and change and adjust to the new opponent and get it done. Smith is confident of doing the business despite admitting he knows nothing about his opponent. Smith, by a country mile. He is 1/50 with Sun Bets to win the fight, while Holzken is a 12/1 shot. The fighters are due to enter the ring at 10pm. TalkSPORT, of course! We will have live and exclusive national radio commentary of the fight right here, with our coverage from Germany starting at 9pm. George Groves, who booked his place in the final with a points win over Chris Eubank Jr, will also be putting his WBA (Super) and IBO belts on the line, while the victor will receive the Muhammad Ali trophy, as well as a huge windfall. The winner earns a place in the final of the inaugural World Boxing Super Series - dubbed the Champions League of boxing.
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