George Groves vs Jamie Cox Preview Oct. 14th
WBA Super World Super Middleweight Champion George Groves will be taking on fellow Englishman Jamie Cox at Wembley Arena in London on Saturday, October 14th. The bout is a part of the World Boxing Super Series. Groves won the vacant title in his last outing with a sixth-round stoppage of Fedor Chudinov on May 27th. The undefeated Cox last fought on July 23rd when he beat Giorgi Kandelaki via a four-round unanimous decision. The bout can be seen live in the UK on Sky Box Office, in Canada on Super Channel and on tape delay in the USA on the Audience network.
Groves vs Cox Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Jamie Cox +450
- George Groves -600
My Pick
The 29-year-old Groves of London won the vacant international title in April of last year when he stopped David Brophy in the fourth round. He then successfully defended it against Martin Murray by 12-round unanimous decision in June before winning the vacant world title against Chudinov in May. It was his fourth attempt at winning a world crown. Groves climbs into the ring with a record of 26-3 with 19 Kos. All three of his losses have been against world champions as he was stopped by Carl Froch in 2013 and 2014 and then dropped a split decision to Badou Jack in September of 2015.
Groves managed to drop Froch in the opening round of their first meeting and had him in big trouble, but let him off the hook. The Londoner has pretty good power with a knockout ratio of 66 per cent, but Froch showed that Groves’ chin can let him down. The champion stands just under 6-feet tall, has a 72-inch reach and has boxed 182 rounds since turning pro in 2008. He’s a former British and Commonwealth Champion who gained a lot of confidence in his performances against Froch even though he lost them both. However, he didn’t show enough energy or urgency against Badou Jack.
Groves was determined to win a world belt when he fought Chudinov and he was relentless on the attack once he sensed he had his man in trouble. He has fine boxing skills to go along with his heavy fists and likes to use his jab, but Froch showed that he’s vulnerable to counter punches if he leaves himself open for too long. Groves has also beaten Paul Smith, James DeGale and Glen Johnson during his pro career. The Londoner is perhaps a bit underrated on the world scene and while he’s not an elite boxer, he’s definitely a good one.
The 30-year-old Cox is a southpaw who hails from Swindon and has a perfect record of 24-0 along with 13 kos. He turned pro back in 2007 and has fought 107 rounds since then. However, the majority of his opponents shave been of the Grade B or C level. Cox will definitely be taking a step up in class when he takes on Groves. Cox is 5-feet-11-inches tall with an unlisted reach so is basically the same height as the champion. His power isn’t too bad as his current knockout ratio stands at 54 per cent.
Cox had a pretty good amateur career as he was a 2006 ABA Junior Welterweight Champion. Since turning pro he’s won a few regional championships. These include the Commonwealth (British Empire) Super Welterweight Title along with the WBO European Super Middleweight Crown and the WBA Continental Super Middleweight Belt. He definitely has some boxing skills to go along with pretty good power, but isn’t really in the same class as Groves at this point of his career. However, that can all change with a win here.
Prediction…
This should be a fan-friendly bout between two English boxers and while Cox may have a few good moments here and there I’d be looking for Groves to retain his title with a stoppage being a possibility.
Groves is the best bet at this stage in their careers.
Play: Groves -600 @ BetOnline.ag
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George Groves betting • Jamie Cox betting