World Boxing Super Series – Our Super Middleweight Rankings
On the eve of the tournament’s opening bout, we present our rankings of all eight participants: George Groves, Juergen Braehmer, Rob Brant, Jamie Cox, Avni Yildirim, Callum Smith, Erik Skoglund, and Chris Eubank Jr.
After an exciting start to the Cruiserweight tournament in Germany, The Super Middleweights begin their road to glory with the WBC Diamond Belt showdown between Callum Smith and Erik Skoglund in Liverpool this weekend. We present our rankings here with some insight on all the competitors.
8. Erik Skoglund
Age: 26
Fighting out of: Vardigne, Sweden
Record: 26–0 (12 KOs)
Faces Callum Smith ( 16/9 – Liverpool, England)
Achievements: Current WBA International Light Heavyweight Champion, IBF Intercontinental Light Heavyweight Champion
With most of his fights taking place in Mainland Europe, Skoglund stands out as mainly the least heralded of the selection. He has made steady progress in his opening years as a professional, with wins over gatekeepers Derek Edwards and Glen Johnson standing out from his ledger. A naturally aggressive volume puncher, moving down from the light heavyweight division for this tournament looks sure to come with it’s share of problems – especially when pitted against the offensive arsenal that Callum Smith will bring in his hometown this weekend.
7. Juergen Braehmer
Age: 38
Fighting out of: Straslund, Germany
Record: 48–3 (35 KOs)
Faces Rob Brant (28/10, TBC)
Achievements: Former WBA (Regular) and WBO Light Heavyweight Champion
Arguably the most experienced operator out of this eight man field, Braehmer has taken the plunge of moving back down to a weight division that he previously competed at over a decade ago. The solid but unspectacular German’s best days seem behind him, after having his 8 year undefeated run halted last October by Nathan Cleverly. However, in an unproven field, Braehmer will fancy his chances to upset the applecart and finish his career off on a high note.
6. Rob Brant
Age: 26
Fighting out of: Minnesota, USA
Record: 22–0 (15 KOs)
Faces Jurgen Braehmer (28/10 TBC)
Achievements: Current WBA-NABA Middleweight Champion
Rob Brant is considered as a promising power punching American middleweight hopeful on the way up. He was on a clean trajectory towards major honours and had the backdrop of a successful amateur career where he won National Golden Gloves titles. All of this meant that a decision to answer the call and be America’s sole representative in this newly formed tournament wasn’t exactly one that was anticipated from those around him. Nonetheless, Brant will sacrifice the size and strength advantages in pursuit of an unlikely feat. He did compete as high as 178lbs in the unpaid ranks, so he will be hoping that he can demonstrate the same punching power in this tournament as he has early on in his professional stint. His freshness could see him progress further than expected.
5. Jamie Cox
Age: 31
Fighting out of: Swindon, UK
Record: 24–0 (13 KOs)
Faces George Groves (14/10 — Wembley, UK)
Achievements: Current WBA Inter-Continental Super Middleweight Champion, Former WBO European Super Middleweight Champion, Commonwealth Super Welterweight Champion
Another standout amateur with a career path that stands in stark contrast to his peers, Jamie Cox appeared to be at a dead end in his career. His life outside of the ring had some well publicised lows and performances inside of the ring (added to the level of opposition) struggled to really match the high esteem he was held in when he turned pro over a decade ago. Nonetheless, Cox now appears to be injury and trouble free and has stumbled upon this opportunity to not only participate in a high profile tournament, but fight for a world title in the first round. Having drawn WBA champion George Groves, Cox must hope that he can navigate the size and the pure boxing ability of his fellow countryman and in doing so send a statement to the rest of the competition that he is the man to beat.
4. Avni Yildirim
Age: 26
Fighting out of: Sivas, Turkey
Record: 16–0 (10 KOs)
Faces Chris Eubank Jr (7/10 — Stuttgart, Germany)
Achievements: Current WBC International Super Middleweight Champion, Former WBC International Silver Super Middleweight and Light Heavyweight Champion
Avni Yildrim only knows one method of combat. He will not try and climb over or walk around a wall — to quote Chris Jericho he is looking to break the walls down on the road to Super Middleweight supremacy. This young Turkish hopeful, recently known for a win over fringe contender Marco Antonio Periban as well as being the reason behind IBF champion James Degale’s broken teeth, uses a limited but effectively aggressive style to suck the life out of his opponent. His opening encounter with Chris Eubank Jr is guaranteed to be the standout fight out of the opening selection and is one not to miss.
3. Chris Eubank Jr
Age: 27
Fighting out of: Brighton, UK
Record: 25–1 (19 KOs)
Faces Avni Yildrim (7/10- Stuttgart Germany)
Achievements: Current IBO Super Middleweight Champion, Former WBA Interim Middleweight Champion, Former British Middleweight Champion
When it was announced that the winner of an early July showdown between Chris Eubank Jr and Arthur Abraham in London would be the final confirmed entrant into the Super Middleweight bracket, British boxing fans could have been forgiven for increasing their skepticism. Junior, now coming close to his 28th birthday, had knocked back several high profile and lucrative opportunities within the past 18 months, choosing to beat to his own drum under the tutelage of his eccentric father.
Following a lopsided decision victory over Abraham to add to winning the IBO Super Middleweight belt in February against Renold Quinlan, Eubank is now ready to plot his ascent up the division’s rankings and plot the downfall of his domestic rivals. Avni Yildirim must be dealt with first, but the winner of George Groves vs Jamie Cox is a prospect that Eubank is relishing, as he looks to add more belts to his collection. His fluid, theatric & athletic style allows for drama and entertainment in abundance, but if Eubank can further refine himself into an intelligent championship level fighter, then he may be the one to watch in this tournament.
2. George Groves
Age: 29
Fighting out of: Hammersmith, London, UK
Record: 26–3 (19 KOs)
Faces Jamie Cox (14/10 – Wembley)
Achievements: Current WBA (Super) Super Middleweight Champion, Former British, Commonwealth and WBA International Super Middleweight Champion
In less than thirty professional fights, George Groves has experienced every depth of emotion that the sport of boxing could realistically conjure up. From the highs of early career successes and grudge match victories over the likes of James Degale, to the depths of three successive world title fight defeats, it was feared that the pinnacle of Groves’s ambitions may elude him. However after a gruelling and emotional night in Sheffield where he stopped Fedor Chudinov in seven rounds, Groves now has a title belt to hold and parade pridefully and has his eyes set on consolidating his legacy.
His ability is unquestionable, but the is a fear that a competition with less battle worn and hungrier foes will see Groves fall short of overall tournament success here. With that said, you couldn’t argue against him being the safe bet of this line up – the high profile nature of the tournament is unlikely to faze him and he still carries the punch power to trouble anybody on his best night.
1. Callum Smith
Age: 27
Fighting out of: Liverpool, UK
Record: 22–0 (17 KOs)
Faces Erik Skoglund (16/9 — Liverpool)
Achievements: Former British, European, WBC Silver and WBC International Super Middleweight Champion
Going into 2017, Callum Smith was assured in the reality that his next fight would be for a world title. 9 months and several failed negotiations later, he finds himself having to win the World Boxing Super Series tournament just in order to have a belt around his waist for the first time. The frustration of the past year is coupled with a prolonged path of inconsistency for this once highly rated prospect. Smith either demonstrated the power to end fights in a matter of seconds or was forced to grind out unconvincing wins over lesser opposition. That spectacular spark which propels a promising contender to a legit champion appears to be often missing from Smith’s game, and we are yet to see him deal with any extensive periods of adversity.
With all that being said, Smith cannot be overlooked in this field. At 6ft 3, he represents a very physically imposing frame which is unmatched by his competitors — even the ones stepping down in weight for the tournament. He possesses power, coupled with sharp counter punching ability as well as a solid left hook to the liver. If his opponents allow him to form a rhythm in fights, then Smith can take some stopping, but with the expectation and pressure of having to win the tournament to make up for lost time, this young hopeful is in an almost can’t win scenario as he prepares to open up the competition in his hometown.
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