The Wanted's Max George backs down from MTV VMA Boy Band showdown

NEW YORK, N.Y. – As two British-based boy bands prepare to face off at the upcoming MTV Video Music Awards for best new artist, The Wanted’s Max George admits his money is on the other guys.

“I think One Direction will win. That is my prediction,” the 23-year-old said.

The Wanted, which had a hit this year with the party jam “Glad You Came,” is also up against Canadian sensation Carly Rae Jepsen, R&B singer Frank Ocean and pop-rockers fun. at the Sept. 6 awards show in Los Angeles.

Siva Kaneswaran and Jay McGuiness are rooting for “Call Me Maybe” singer Jepsen, while Nathan Sykes, the quintet’s youngest member, sees Ocean as the band’s biggest competition.

But Tom Parker isn’t ready to throw in the towel just yet.

“We could win best new artist, come on! We are one of the best new artists,” Parker said before the group performed at New York’s JFK airport Wednesday as part of Jet Blue’s “Live from T5” concert series. “We can take Frank Ocean. We can do this, boys!”

George said the cliche — it’s just an honour to be nominated — definitely applies to the band, who found recent success in America after releasing two popular albums and five hit singles in Europe. They released their debut EP in America this year and are planning a full-length album.