At one stage it looked like it wasn't going to happen. The World Boxing Super Series super middleweight final. The best the tournament had to offer. It began with eight, it will end with two. After dislocating his left shoulder in his victory over Chris Eubank Jr in February, George Groves' place in the final was in jeopardy. That was February 17, one week later Callum Smith booked his spot by defeating late, late replacement (for Jurgen Braehmer) Nieky Holzken. The weeks and months afterward were a mix of doubt and uncertainty as to who exactly was going to be in the final. Word around the campfire was Groves would be replaced, possibly by the man he beat in the semis. Cue a rightful backlash from boxing fans online against the organisers. A stressful time for the WBA 168lbs champion who WILL definitely now face Smith. "The last few months have been very stressful. I was good as told I was replaced," Groves told GiveMeSport. "Even though they were desperate for June, they realised that they were going to have to bite the bullet. And if they want a final that everyone wants to see they're going to have to have both finalists in there, both finalists fit and healthy and now I believe we're going to end up with a September date. I'll be fully fit and healthy by then. "I was quietly confident that a date would be made. They would have to make allowance, even if it's just for this year to get the final that everyone wants to see, even if it means they have to bend rules just a touch. "Lots of these people are very good businessmen but they don't have a lot of experience in boxing, so it's very difficult to establish final dates until you know everyone's fit and healthy and ready to go. If you're going to have a tournament and call it The Ali Trophy, The Greatest, then you've got to have the best guys in to start with, and then whoever ends up in the final they're the guys that have to fight."