• George Groves v Paul Smith

Smith determined to 'spoil' Groves' plans

Paul Smith is not looking beyond George Groves © PA Photos

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Paul Smith is plotting to prove George Groves is overrated when the two clash for the British and Commonwealth super-middleweight belts, insisting he is ready to go 12 brutal rounds to win back the title he formerly held.

Smith lost the British strap to James DeGale last December, with Groves adding that title to his Commonwealth belt via a majority decision against his rival in May.

While the clamour for a DeGale-Groves rematch has grown, Smith has come in under the radar and is confident he can put a spanner in Groves' future plans with victory at Wembley Arena.

"I want my title back," said Smith. "I wouldn't care if this fight was behind closed doors. I am just aiming to win this, nothing else is on my mind."

Groves was summoned by Smith to appear in his post-fight interview after the Liverpudlian beat Paul Samuels last time out, and the challenger feels he has the beating of him after their face-to-face exchange.

"I said after that fight that 'styles win fights' and I know I have the style to beat him," Smith said. "He leaves himself open. I feel he is an overrated fighter who had a one-off performance against DeGale.

"DeGale is an awkward fighter to face. When you get in the ring he surprises you with the shots he throws. But Groves had the advantage of having sparred with him in the past - there was no shock factor. His win against DeGale does not give me any nightmares."

If Smith can inflict a first professional defeat on Groves then he could earn himself another crack at the newly-crowned European champion DeGale, but Smith is refusing to look past his clash with Groves.

"I am not thinking about that at all," he said. "At the moment everyone is writing me off and Groves is the one going on to a rematch. My focus is just to spoil his plans. He can talk about DeGale but all I want is my title back.

"I'm going the extra mile for this one but I always do. I have never been as fit as I am now. I feel I have a new lease of life going into this fight. Without doubt I can prevent this going the distance. We will have to see on the night, but I have prepared for 12 very brutal rounds."

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