Since the quarter-final draws were announced in July, a potential showdown between WBA super-middleweight champion George Groves and British rival Chris Eubank Jr has been earmarked as the standout fight of the tournament.

After both fighters came through their respective first round fights with relative ease, the stage has been set for two of the divisions biggest stars to face off for a spot in the final, and Groves' WBA crown. Although the fight was tipped to take place in London, potentially at one of the capitals football stadiums. The semi-final showdown will take place at the Manchester Arena on the 17th of February.

A great year for Groves

The number one seed in the series and the only recognised World Champion in the tournament, 2017 has arguably been Saint George's defining year. Back in May, it was fourth time lucky for the Londoner. Overcoming Fedor Chudinov with a sixth-round stoppage, the 29-year-old was finally crowned as the WBA super-middleweight king.

Sixth-months on, Groves is widely regarded as the favourite to win the tournament outright and leave with the $50million cheque waiting for the winner.

As for his quarter-final match-up, Groves looked in destructive form as he was able to blow away the previously undefeated Jamie Cox. After suffering consecutive knockout losses to his arch-rival Carl Froch, Groves has an air of a revitalised fighter.

Currently on a six-fight winning streak, his fight on February 17th will not be the first time Groves has stepped inside the Manchester Arena.

Then the challenger, in 2013 the Manchester Arena played hosts to one of Groves' finest performances. But, it also ended in one of his biggest disappointments. In the first instalment of his iconic rivalry with Froch, 'The Saint' was able to drop the then champion, however, a controversial late stoppage saw him leave empty-handed.

For Groves, he will be desperate to put on a clinical performance. Although fans are relishing his upcoming fight with Eubank, a potential unification showdown with IBF champion and old foe James DeGale would certainly give him his London stadium fight.

Eubanks big break

Eubank can also be regarded as a champion in his own right. Currently in possession of the IBO super-middleweight title, although Jr will tell you otherwise, his belt is not regarded as a legitimate world title. That doesn't mean that Eubank's a fighter who should be taken lightly.

Since his well publicised back and forth with middleweight king Gennady Golovkin last year, the dynamic Eubank duo opted against the fight and Jr received criticism for his teams' outlandish demands.

Since then, Eubank has made the jump from the 160Ibs division and is now a fully fledged super-middleweight. Coming off the back of a convincing unanimous points victory over former two-weight world champion Arthur Abraham, Jr has brought his eye-catching performances into the Super Series.

Facing off against the undefeated Avni Yildirim, although the Turkish fighter had a reputation for his concussive punching power, Eubank dominated from the opening bell. Sending his opponent to the canvas in the first round, demonstrating a perfect blend of power and speed, Eubank secured a third-round stoppage victory and certainly sent a statement.

For Jr, this has the makings of a defining fight. After snubbing GGG, people can argue that Eubank is yet to be tested against an elite level operator.

Like his opponent next year, 'Nxt Gen' is also a fighter who has fallen to his own British rival. Since losing to Billy-Joe Saunders in 2014, there is no doubt Eubank has become a more polished fighter. Ironically, spending months sparring with Groves has helped him blossom. If Eubank is able to overcome his old sparring partner in February, claiming Groves' WBA title will slingshot the 28-year-old into some mega fights next year.
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