You know that, I know that, but I wonder if the powers that be know or care about that.

Its quite incredible how Smith has been matched so far in his career. Nothing would surprise me.

I think that was a motivation issue, at least I hope otherwise that defeat was due to the war he was in with Badou Jack. On his day he's the best in world, can you imagine what he'd do to Eubank jnr? [/quote]

Have to disagree there mate - on his day I would say he's as good as Groves but not better. Was at the O2 back in 2011 when Groves out foxed him.

Hope he gets back to his best - of course, he would have too much for Junior.

"It feels much better than it ever did, much more sensitive." John Wayne Bobbit

Whilst this isn't Smiths fault - his resume is quite appalling. No one even near world class on there.

If Groves does not recover in time it would not surprise me if they then matched Smith with another replacement for the final.

This guy has been the reserve fighter all along. It's got nothing to do with him being a bigger draw, it's simply a case that the show must go on.

Will his own words suffice?

“I've been waiting for this chance to come,” 34-year-old Holzken said. “I was signed as a substitute fighter so I’m very well trained and prepared.”

[Link]

It has got sod all to do with him being a draw. Now if you want to talk about sports other than boxing by all means set up a thread and i'll ignore it but you don't seem to know how boxing works, certainly not well enough to try and tell me what is what anyway.

Is the proof you requested, and that I provided, not enough?

Because he was also due to be fighting Fedor Chundinov's brother, Dmitrii, on the undercard to help pad out his currently crap boxing record. Chudinov's brother got beaten by a 45 year old journeyman in his last bout.