On Saturday night George Groves defeated Chris Eubank Jr by a unanimous points decision in their WBA title fight. Despite being the champion, Groves entered the ring as a betting underdog. How did the pundits get it so wrong and where does the defeated Chris Eubank Jr go from here?

Delusion vs reality

In the build up to the fight Eubank Jr was convinced he had the beating of Groves. This wasn't an abstract belief. It was based on sparring sessions the pair had in the past. Groves retort to Eubank Jr was that 'sparring is sparring.' He said he'd show Eubank 'levels' come fight night.

Groves proved true to his word.

Gym warrior vs Showman

The Groves- Eubank fight was proof positive that little can be gleaned from sparring. There are plenty of world champions in the gym. Turning it on under the lights is a completely different affair. Some athletes are made for the big show.

We know Groves is one of those athletes.

In victory over James Degale Groves proved it. In a highly anticipated grudge match Groves proved he could fight to a game plan, out-think and out-fight future World Champion Degale.

Even in his defeats to Carl Froch, Groves proved it.

In their first clash, an inexperienced Groves proved true to his pre-fight bravado; meeting the hardened Froch in the centre of the ring and flooring him in the first round. For several rounds Groves proceeded to dish out a one-sided beat down before Froch rallied late on prompting the referee to (prematurely) call a halt to the fight.

In the rematch, at Wembley in front of 80,000 fans, Groves held his own in what was one of the biggest boxing matches the country had ever seen. Groves was leading on many scorecards before Froch unleasheda right hand from hell to halt procedings.

All this with the backdrop of splitting with long time trainer Adam Booth.

Groves went on to capture the WBA title against Fedor Chudinov last year (on his fourth world title attempt) having narrowly losing a split decision against Badou Jack two years prior.

Groves credentials were never in question. Other than in the mind of Eubank Jr who called Groves' boxing style 'amateurish' in the pre-fight build up.

The question in this fight was whether Eubank was going to be able to translate 'gym tales' into fight night glory.

On Saturday we got our answer. No.

Brawler vs Pugilist

It was the second time Eubank failed to deliver on the biggest stage of his life. The first time was in his defeat to Billy Joe Saunders. Eubank put that down to lack of experience. However the lessons of the Saunders defeat were not learned.

Eubank is undoubtedly a warrior. One of the best brawlers in the game. One of the biggest hearts in the game. However boxing isn't street fighting. It is a sweet science. When you step into the squared circle you have to respect the game and those that came before. Sometimes boxing can come down to the guy with the biggest cojones however that on a massive proviso... that all else is equal. No amount of warrior spirit will compensate for a massive skill and boxing IQ gap.

Eubank Jr has the warrior gene. Passed down by his father Eubank Sr. However at the highest levels of boxing pretty much everyone is a warrior. Groves is every bit the warrior and hot-head Eubank Jr is. The difference is Groves has channelled his warrior spirit into besting his opponent.

Junior vs Senior

It's not too late for Eubank to do the same. However it will take wholesale changes to how he approaches the sport. Ironically Eubank Jr needs to fight more like his father Eubank Sr.

I'm old enough to remember Eubank Sr in his hayday. Senior was undoubtly a warrior. However I don't once recall him entering the ring with the intention of having a tear up. That was more Nigel Benn's style. Eubank Sr was a showman yes, however he was also wily. If he could elude and evade your punches than knock you out with a right hand you didn't see, he would. It was only when the likes of Nigel Benn and Michael Watson dragged it out, did you see the warrior in him.

Ultimately Eubank Jr needs to work on his skillset. He already has that secret sauce that cannot be taught. Now he needs to get and listen to a trainer he respects to add the ingredients that can only come from an experience hand.