“I believe I have been good for British boxing”. Well George, you’re right.

These days, it has become the norm to see Wembley Stadium hosting championship boxing, as it rides the Anthony Joshua wave which has swept the nation.

Before this, legendary names such Muhammad Ali, Henry Cooper and Frank Bruno were those associated with London’s most iconic venue.

But George Groves deserves to be on that list. His ‘bad-boy’ role in the build up to his two fights with Carl Froch, played a part in a great British sporting rivalry.

Since his two defeats to Carl, his villain persona has u-turned, and he is without doubt one of the sport’s most likeable personalities.

His crowning night, winning the WBA World Title at Bramall Lane, lifted the biggest of weights off of his shoulders.

Since then, it seemed like anything else was just a bonus. Two successful title defences, and simultaneously a run to the WBSS Final, gave us 3 more memorable nights on a long list.

30 isn’t the oldest of ages to retire, but having read his parting statement, it’s hard to see why the Saint would continue.

As an amateur, schoolboy and ABA titles set in stone the winning mentality that would see him make an inevitably successful jump to the pro game.

Just 9 fights in, he managed to secure the Commonwealth title. This would prove to be only a stepping-stone to a British and Commonwealth title clash with long-time rival James DeGale.

A majority decision win at the O2 Arena is to this day still debated as Groves’ best win, considering what DeGale went on to achieve in his respective career, having already been an Olympic Gold Medallist.

Despite maybe being his best win, Groves has himself said that he fought better than DeGale.

His step-up to World level in 2013 just happened to be against a certain elite fighter in Carl Froch. But Groves was never one to be fazed.

‘Everything for a reason’ was his phrase. And looking back 6 years on, this may have been the reason that he had forged the career he has.

Flooring the man with a ‘granite chin’, the controversial stoppage, the rematch at Wembley, the rubix cube, the ‘push and pull about’ on Gloves Are Off – a combination of things that snowballed the profile of Groves.

Whilst the end result ended in disappointment, he rebuilt like great Champions do, and once again came so close to world glory, but was halted by a future pound-for-pound lister. This time Badou Jack.

It was at the fourth attempt that George Groves got his hands on the prize. On the day his beloved Chelsea lost the FA Cup Final, the Saint had to bring some joy to West London. His dominating performance of Fedor Chudinov too much for the referee, and a 6th round stoppage bought him the one thing he’d always wanted.

But it was before this that Groves was struck with a moment of realisation, which perhaps fuelled his desire to quit earlier than most.

His 2016 fight with Eduard Gutknecht, seemed at the time like a routine points win. Later that night, Gutknecht collapsed and was treated for swelling on the brain.

Currently wheelchair bound and unable to talk, it is moments like that which can make a fighter assess their position in the sport.

If anything, it is this section of Groves’ retirement statement that shows the measure of the man.

The later section of his career, provided a chance to take home the inaugural Muhammad Ali Trophy in the World Boxing Super Series. His ties with Team Sauerland meant that from the word go, rumours surrounding his inclusion were justified.

Despite his standing as one of the best Super-Middleweights on the planet, it is the all-British clashes where Groves thrived. Three of these followed his world title win – Jamie Cox, Chris Eubank Jr and Callum Smith.

Jamie Cox was dispatched with relative ease. Chris Eubank Jr not so. In a fight where Groves was deemed by many an underdog, he showed once again why he is never to be underestimated. Groves was boxing his way to a wide points win, when his shoulder popped out, providing us with one of the most memorable final rounds of the year. The final moments of that 12th round, will forever live long in my memory as a George Groves fan.

Callum Smith was a different kettle of fish. Groves recovered from his subsequent shoulder injury, but Smith looked fresher, stronger and fitter.

But let’s not dwell. His career is that of which many would dream of when starting out. Brilliant inside the ring and a gentleman out of it.

So for now at least, let’s ignore the comments from the likes of Carl Froch and take time to appreciate a British boxing legend.

Oscar Bevis