WBA super-middleweight champion Groves has surgery

LONDON: WBA super-middleweight champion George Groves announced on Monday he was having shoulder surgery but hopes to fight in a delayed World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) final against Callum Smith.

Groves, 29, who secured a unanimous points win over fellow British fighter Chris Eubank Jnr at the Manchester Arena earlier this month, described the procedure as “minor”.

The 29-year-old dislocated his left shoulder during the final round of a convincing victory, casting doubt on his ability to be ready for the match-up with compatriot Smith that had been scheduled for June 2 at London’s 02 Arena.

“This morning I go in for a minor operation on my injured shoulder,” Groves wrote on Twitter. “The good news is I’ll be fit to fight in the final in July. We will be applying for a one-month extension and are hopeful of securing this.”

Partly because of his status as the world’s leading super-middleweight and his long-term relationship with WBSS promoters Sauerland, Groves is expected to be granted that extension.