On the undercard of the ‘Prince’ Charles Martin vs Anthony ‘AJ’ Joshua for the IBF heavyweight title is an England vs Scotland battle in the fiercely contested super middleweight division. 3 time world title challenger and former British, Commonwealth and EBU champion George Groves (22-3-0) takes on undefeated Scottish contendor David Brophy (16-0-1)  for the vacant WBA international super middleweight title. Although not a main version of the WBA belt a victory would give the holder a ranking within the top 15 of the WBA and a potential route to WBA ‘super’ champion Arthur Abraham.

25 year old Caldercruix fighter Brophy has never fought at this level before, the biggest name on the Scottish fighters CV is welsh fighter Tobias Webb (16-5-1). Cousin of former Cruiserweight champ Enzo Maccarinelli, Webb took the fight at one weeks notice after original opponent Charles Adamu (24-8-0) pulled out. Webb was in shape and ready to go as he had been in camp for a fight in Finland that eventually fell through, the fight turned out to be a small hall cracker, with both fighters exchanging big punches in the early rounds. By the half way mark Brophy was easing ahead although caught in the 7th Brophy used his boxing brain to keep out of trouble and won the 10 round fight fairly wide on points 97-93.

George Groves on the other hand is no stranger to headlining sold out arenas and fighting for world titles. Having lost on a split decision points defeat  in his most recent attempt against Badou Jack in Las Vegas, Groves is again looking to rebuild towards another title shot. After being knockedown in the first round Groves never took control of the fight and although a split decision in my eyes he never done enough to merit taking the WBC belt back to the UK. Now with new trainer Shane Mcguigan and after a 5th round stoppage win over Italian Andrea Di Luisa (18-4-0) Groves is back on the path to glory which will surely end in a world title victory.

On paper George Groves should have to much power, ring craft and experience for David Brophy to trouble him. But with experienced trainer Billy Nelson in his corner and his trainers belief that he is destined for bigger and better things Brophy will come into this fight knowing this is his chance to propel himself into the top end of the super middleweight scene, not only in Britain where Callum Smith has recently became WBC champ Badou Jacks mandatory but across the world with WBA ‘super’ and ‘regular’ champs Abraham and Sturm in his sights if he wins.

Jay