Gallagher on Froch-Groves, Quigg, Frampton, More

By Ben Jacobs

Trainer Joe Gallagher will yet again have a busy night of action on November 23 as several of his fighters will be performing on the undercard of the Carl Froch – George Groves fight.  BoxingScene caught up with Joe to discuss the progress of his men, including new world champion, Scott Quigg.

BoxingScene.com: How much do you know about Scott Quigg’s next opponent, Diego Silva?

He fought Fernando Montiel, that’s the name that stands out so he’s shown he’s got to a level where he can compete on the world stage.  He comes with a decent knockout percentage.  He’s a different style of fighter to what Yoandris Salinas was.  He’s strong, comes forward, switches to southpaw, heavy handed with the hooks to the body and the head and he looks like he carries plenty of pop.  He doesn’t step back, he’s in your face and he’s a dogged, determined fighter with plenty of power.  Scott Quigg will have to go looking for him, he’ll be bringing it.

BoxingScene.com: Does Scott seem any different now in the gym after becoming a world champion?

He’s training hard, but we can still have a joke.  When I take him on the pads and he throws the first jab or first right hand, I say, ‘Stop everybody, you just watched a world champion jab or a world champion right hand.’  It’s just banter, stuff like that.   He’s still Scott Quigg, he leaves no stone unturned in his training and preparation and he’s pleased to get it on again so soon, and I am as well.  I want him to get him out often as a world champion, maybe four times in a year, a bit like Ricky Hatton when he had the WBU belt.  He grew into it and that’s what I want before Scott takes on the likes of [Kiko] Martínez and [Leo] Santa Cruz.  Hopefully we’ll get him out again in February or March time.  Maybe there will be a unification fight on the table next year with Kiko Martínez. 

BoxingScene.com: How did you think Carl Frampton looked in his recent fight?

He did a good job but we all thought he would beforehand.  That kid went life and death with [William] Prado who Scott Quigg knocked out.  He was a game kid and Frampton was above him and did what was expected.  There was no fear factor there and he could do as he pleased.

BoxingScene.com: Although he will not be fighting on this card, you must be excited at the way Callum Smith is currently progressing? 

Callum Smith came to the Wild Card with me.  He has sparred the likes of Carl Froch, Nathan Cleverly and Kid Chocolate, and I just thought the way he sparred and handled himself that he could be a bit special.  I’m glad he didn’t stop his earlier opponents and went the distance with them.  He then went on that amazing run and each time he’s fought, he’s stepped up to decent opposition.  The class performance was against Patrick Mendy and Callum stopped him in one round - fantastic performance.  He’ll now be having his tenth fight; hopefully it’s ten out of ten.  You couldn’t ask for a better year.  The way he’s going, with his talent, and he’s developing all the time, maybe this time next year he could be on the fringes of a world title.   He’s still got an awful lot to learn.  The last kid he fought, he took his time and he showed composure against a former world class title challenger.  I was really pleased with that.  We’re planning a trip over to America at the beginning of next year so hopefully that progress will stand him in good stead.

BoxingScene.com: How do you see the main event going between Carl Froch and George Groves?

I think George Groves can win the fight - he has got the skills and capability.  If he has a very good game plan and studies people who have given Froch trouble, like [Anthony] Dirrell and [Jermain] Taylor, then he can win.  He comes two handed.  I know Carl reportedly hurt him in sparring in the past, and the mind games could backfire on George, it could push Carl to train that bit harder.  Carl Froch is the world champion, some say Groves is getting him at the right time, but is it a step too soon? That’s what makes it interesting.  It won’t be a dull fight.  If it goes the distance, let’s hope it doesn’t leave a bad taste in the mouth with a bad decision.  I think if Froch lands he might get to Groves.  But George has got fire in the belly and he won’t go down without a fight.  But I do expect Froch to prevail.