Free boxing betting tips: Simon Crawford previews George Groves v Jamie Cox

That age-old saying "if at first you don't succeed, try, try again" is certainly applicable when looking at the rollercoaster career of George Groves.

After beating bitter domestic rival James DeGale in only his 13th fight in the paid ranks, it appeared a case of when, not if, the Hammersmith fighter would be crowned as a world champion.

But back-to-back defeats at the hands of IBF and WBA ruler Carl Froch - the second a sickening knockout in-front of 80,000 fans at Wembley Stadium - and then a points loss to WBC champion Badou Jack in Las Vegas just over two years ago threatened to leave the Saint as the nearly man of boxing.

Yet Groves (26-3, 19KOs) steadfastly backed his own ability and was rewarded back in May when he stopped Fedor Chudinov to win the WBA 'super' world super-middleweight belt.

So much has happened to Groves since he turned professional in 2008 that it's hard to believe he is still only 29 and should just be about at his peak right now.

So it appears to be the perfect time for him to be a world champion and he makes his first title defence on Saturday night against Swindon's Jamie Cox, in what is also a quarter-final in the inaugural World Boxing Super Series.

Groves starts as a heavy odds-on favourite against Cox and it is difficult to see him slipping up in this one, with the winner to meet Chris Eubank Jr in the semi-finals early next year.

I feel experience will be the key factor and Groves has that in bundles. Perhaps even the hurt of those previous failed world title attempts will drive him on for the remainder of his career.

I do think finally getting over the line can be a catalyst for the Londoner and now that pressure has been lifted, it could easily bring the best out of him.

Big at super-middleweight, Groves works well behind a ram-rod jab and with a 66 per cent knockout ratio his power can't be underestimated.

He knows the pressure is on him to deliver but he is relishing the challenge.

"There is no room for mistakes, there's no 'I'll come again', it's all or nothing now. But I'll be damned if I have anything other than a clear victory or a knockout," he said.

"For me, this tournament has come at the perfect time. I am the best fighter in it. I am the best in-form fighter in it. I don't need a fight to shake off some rust, I am good to go.

"I'm not ready for the lull after winning a world title. You've got to win, win well and win comfortably to preserve yourself. That is keeping me highly-motivated."

Unbeaten southpaw Cox (24-0, 13KOs) is actually two years older than the Saint at 31, but this is by far the biggest fight of his career.

A former European champion at 12st and Commonwealth title holder down at super-welterweight, his career has been blighted by problems outside the ring which have led to spells of inactivity.

You could debate whether he even deserves a place in the tournament, but Cox will know he has got a real chance to make his mark.

Yet as is so often the case in boxing, it comes down to levels and I believe Groves is well ahead of the challenger on that score.

I see Groves, who is physically the bigger and stronger man, dominating the fight and the only reason I am not predicting a stoppage is that I feel Cox's awkward southpaw style will save him and he will just about hear the final bell.

However, I expect to see 12 one-sided rounds so I am taking the 3/1 being offered by Ladbrokes and Coral for Groves to win by unanimous decision.

Where to watch on TV: ITV Box Office

Recommended bet

2pts George Groves to beat Jamie Cox by unanimous decision at 3/1

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Posted at 0900 BST on 12/10/17.