George Groves Faces Criticism for New Online Series
Former WBA super-middleweight champion George Groves is facing criticism from the boxing community following the launch of his new online series titled ‘Groves in Gloves.’ This venture marks a shift from the boxing ring to digital content creation, a path many retired fighters are now taking to remain in the public eye.
Inaugural Episode and Viewer Reactions
In his inaugural episode, Groves attempts to consume a supermarket meal deal—comprised of a sandwich, chips, and a beverage—while clad in boxing gloves. Capitalizing on the novelty, he later gave away the gloves he used during the stunt to further draw in viewership.
“Groves in Gloves,” he stated, aims to tackle mundane challenges with a twist.
In addition to the meal deal challenge, Groves has shared a humorous video listing “Top 5 Boxers You DON’T Want to Fly Long Haul With!” However, this shift towards online entertainment has not gone unnoticed, with fans quick to voice their discontent. Many have criticized the 37-year-old, accusing him of desperately seeking internet fame, even branding him a ‘sellout’ for compromising his reputation for clicks.
The Trend of Boxers as Content Creators
The trend of former boxers transitioning to platforms like YouTube has become increasingly popular, and Groves is not alone in this new arena. His adversary, Carl Froch, known for headlining matches before large crowds, has successfully tapped into this market as well—often taking potshots at competitors like Andre Ward and Anthony Joshua through his content. Numerous fighters are also creating TikTok-esque videos where they share their thoughts over footage, highlighting a reversal where boxers are now the content creators, previously an avenue taken by YouTubers.
Despite the backlash, Groves’ initiative may yield higher engagement, though it’s unclear how the ongoing criticism will affect his viewership numbers in the long run.
About the Author
Phil Jay brings over 15 years of dedicated experience in boxing journalism, serving as the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News since 2010. His extensive career includes interviews with numerous world champions and live reporting from major boxing events.
