George Groves did not add the IBO to his collection (Picture: Reuters)

George Groves was never the IBO super-middleweight champion and the title is now vacant, confirmed International Boxing Organization president Ed Levine.

Chris Eubank Jr’s clash with Groves in the World Boxing Super Series semi-final was billed as a unification fight, and it was assumed the winner had claimed the IBO strap.

But, Groves could not come to terms with the IBO over sanctioning fees and Eubank Jr’s loss means the belt is now vacant.

‘The Groves vs. Eubank Jr. sanction issues were very unexpected,’ Mr. Levine told World Boxing News.


‘It is very unusual for the challenger to not be sanctioned when the IBO champion is defending his title.



‘On the rare occasions when this occurs the IBO is typically informed well in advance and on almost every occasion the challenger has lost and there is no subsequent confusion.

Chris Eubank Jr was thought to have put his IBO strap on the line (Picture: Reuters)

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He added: ‘In the case of Chris Eubank Jr. vs. George Groves, the subject of IBO sanction for Groves was up in the air and being negotiated until one week before the fight. Money apparently being the key issue.

‘We were then notified that Groves would not be requesting sanction. However, this information was not passed on to the ring announcer who therefore announced Groves as the new WBA and IBO world champion.

‘A few subsequent stories that stated that Groves won the IBO title and then relinquished or vacated it are simply just inaccurate.’

Groves moves onto the World Boxing Super Series final (Picture: PA)

Eubank Jr could fight for his old title again (Picture: Reuters)

The WBSS and IBO were informed of Groves’ decision, but ring announcer David Diamante mistakenly proclaimed the WBA (Super) champion as the IBO king after the fight as he was given the latest information.

It was for this reason confusion reigned after the fight as Levine tweeted after Eubank Jr’s loss that Groves was not their new champion.

Eubank Jr is now free to challenge for his former belt, although the 28-year-old has yet to confirm whether he will continue at super-middleweight or what his next step in boxing will be.

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