By Rick Reeno
WBC super middleweight champion Carl Froch recently spoke with BoxingScene.com to give his take on the upcoming clash of unbeatens, between super middleweights James DeGale (10-0, 8KOs) and George Groves (12-0, 10KOs). Their fight takes place this coming Saturday at the O2 Arena in London. As the fight draws near, DeGale is being pushed as the clear favorite to win, but Froch believes the fight is a lot closer and he gives Groves a considerable chance to win.
"I think it's a 50-50 fight. I think the smart money is on DeGale to win on points but you never know. Groves can punch and he can box. Groves beat Kenny Anderson who was very underrated at the time. Groves has proven more. Even though DeGale is British champion and beat [Paul] Smith, I don't think Smith is a true super middleweight and he's gone down to middleweight now. It's a great fight. I think Groves can do it, but it's a 50-50 fight. I'm on the fence, I can't pick a winner," Froch told BoxingScene.com.
During a recent interview with BoxingScene, DeGale questioned Groves' defensive skills. DeGale has no respect for Groves' ability to block a punch, and expects to land his combinations at will. Froch disagrees. He sparred with Groves in the past and says the 23-year-old is a very good defensive fighter.
"I've sparred with Groves....of course he's got defense. He's a good fighter. He beat DeGale twice as an amateur, so he must have blocked a few shots because DeGale throws punches don't he. I can't say that I agree with that. I totally disagee with it," Froch said.