Former world champion George Groves isn’t shy about where he thinks he stands when it comes to today’s biggest names in boxing—including Terence Crawford. The retired British fighter recently claimed he would have knocked Crawford out if the two had ever met in the ring.
Groves, now 37, built his career as a sharp, powerful super middleweight. From 2017 to 2018, he held the WBA super middleweight belt, racking up a professional record of 28 wins and 4 losses, with 20 victories coming by knockout.
His last fight was in 2018, when he lost the WBA title to Callum Smith in the World Boxing Super Series final. That bout marked the end of a career that included headline clashes against Carl Froch, Badou Jack, and James DeGale.
According to Sports Illustrated, on October 7, Groves gave Crawford his due—but still doubled down on his own ability. “I highly admire Crawford, but surely he wouldn’t have beaten me? I would have done him,” Groves said.
He made it clear that he believes his power at 168 pounds would have been too much for Crawford, even while praising the American as boxing’s top pound-for-pound talent.
Crawford’s recent run gives context to Groves’ comments. Just last month, the Nebraska native defeated Canelo Álvarez by unanimous decision, a 12-round performance that shocked many in the sport.
In doing so, Crawford not only added Alvarez’s name to his résumé but also claimed the undisputed super middleweight championship. That win cemented him as the first male boxer in history to become undisputed in three separate weight classes—a milestone that underscores why so many fans and analysts place him at the top of the current pound-for-pound rankings.
Even while insisting he could have beaten Crawford, Groves acknowledged the uniqueness of what the American has accomplished. “I’ll put him at number one pound for pound because he’s not a super middleweight and he went up and beat a super middleweight,” Groves said.
He also questioned what comes next for Crawford, suggesting a matchup with Gennadiy “Triple G” Golovkin could be an intriguing option if Golovkin decides to return.