GEORGE GROVES was never going to let the pain of injury stop him from being champion – whether he had a broken jaw or dislocated shoulder.
The die-hard Chelsea fan had three cracks at the super-middleweight world title – twice losing to Carl Froch and later Badou Jack.
George Groves celebrating his world title win against Fedor ChudinovNews Group Newspapers Ltd
It was Groves’ fourth crack at the beltNews Group Newspapers Ltd
Groves suffered a broken jaw during the fightNews Group Newspapers Ltd
So when he got his fourth attempt against Fedor Chudinov in 2017 – for the WBA version – Groves knew it would be his final.
But disaster struck in the third round when a right hand cracked Groves’ jaw – breaking it instantly – threatening to KO his title hopes for good.
Groves told SunSport, courtesy of Midnite: “I knew it straight away. I’d broke my jaw ten years prior as an amateur.
“I remember – I think it was the third round – the last punch of the round he wings a big right hand over the top and I hear a loud crack.
“I just thought, ‘He’s broke my jaw!’ It was exactly the same as how it broke last time.”
Knowing it was his last chance saloon – Groves bravely boxed on and was forced to bite down on his gum shield.
But he refused to let trainer Shane McGuigan to take it out of his mouth amid the excruciating pain.
Groves, now 37, revealed: “I tried to shut my mouth and it wouldn’t shut properly. I just thought, I’m not gonna tell Shane, my cornerman.
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“I didn’t want him to behave differently because I had a broken jaw. He goes to take the gumshield out and I just shake my head.
“Absolutely nothing could have stopped me – they’d have to have carried me out.”
Groves knocked Chudinov out at Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane to at last become champion of the world.
It also earned him a place in the eight-man World Boxing Super Series tournament in 2018 – beating Jamie Cox before facing Chris Eubank Jr in the semis.
But once again, Groves’ resilience would be tested after dislocating his shoulder in the 12th and final round.
He desperately held onto victory, his world title and place in the final, but felt the affects of the injury on the way to the hospital.
Groves said: “When the adrenaline’s pumping, you’ve got no pain. The shoulder came out and it just felt really weird.
“It wouldn’t go back in and I’m more thinking about what’s the long-term damage here?
“I’m in the semi-finals of the World Boxing Super Series, I might have to box in a couple months.
‘It’s more painful than childbirth’
“So there was the threat of long-term damage. Whereas with the broken jaw it was like, ‘You’ve just got to get through this. You can’t lose this bout.’
“The fight was won pretty much against Eubank, it was the final round.
“But afterwards, the comedown once the adrenaline starting wearing off, in the ambulance with the dislocated shoulder was pretty horrific.
“The surgeon told me it’s more painful than childbirth!”
Groves made it to the final but was beaten in Saudi Arabia by Callum Smith – announcing his retirement at the age of 30 soon after.
It came as a shock to many – but for Groves it was always the plan – win or lose, saying said: “I knew it before I’d even boxed Chudinov.
“I had an exit strategy. Before I boxed Chudinov we had done a deal to enter the World Boxing Super Series.
“It was going to be three fights in 12 months for good money and some belts.
He wings a big right hand over the top and I hear a loud crack. I just thought, ‘He’s broke my jaw!’
George Groves
“I had to beat Chudinov to do that and I thought after winning the world title, what’s the drive? What’s the ambition? What’s the motivation?
“I knew it wouldn’t be there but if I’ve got this tournament where there’s some real big characters in there then that’s perfect. Then I’m done.
“You have to have that because it could’ve been, win the tournament and ‘Oh look, James DeGale’s other there. This fella Canelo is coming up to super-middleweight, let’s hang around.’
“Of course, it would’ve been wonderful to do that but I was 30 then, my second son had just been born and I was ready to spend some time away from boxing and leave it all on the table.”
Nowadays, Groves provides expert punditry and analysis for TV stations and radio when he’s not training his protege Lucas Roehrig.
The former world champ met cruiserweight Roehrig – who is 5-0 – while coaching at his old Dale Youth Amateur Boxing Club.
He even took SunSport on the pads – passing down his knowledge – and gave us a few whacks on the body belt – thankfully showing mercy.
Adapting to life as a coach, Groves said: “I love it. When I finished from boxing and retired, I thought, ‘That’s me done. Never watching one more round of boxing.’
“But, the truth is it’s what you know, it’s what you are, it’s who I am. I’ve been fortunate enough to be ringside year after year covering the big fights.
“It was only a matter of time before I got back between the ropes and this time in a safe – not always safe – distance of holding pads.”
SunSportGroves proved to SunSport he’s still got it[/caption]
SunSportHe is still clearly a lethal body puncher[/caption]
SunSportBut Groves is now a coach, teaching SunSport the basics[/caption]
SunSportHe has a wealth of knowledge to pass down[/caption]
Groves coaches cruiserweight prospect Lucas Roehrig Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
