Pacquiao/Froch/Groves/Rios: What Did Last Night Tell Us?

I'd like to start by saying that last night saw the birth of a real world champion in the making, a certain "Saint" George Groves. He was quick, at times elusive and hit harder than most expected, staggering and hurting Froch time and time again; not to mention a spectacular knock down. The way the fight ended is a stain on all boxing and should mark an end to Howard Foster's run as a prime time referee. Is that harsh? I don't think so. Credit goes to The Cobra too for constantly persevering, then again, was that ever in doubt? Froch is an iron willed, titanium chinned, warrior, someone the likes of LaMotta and Basilio would have been proud of. He fought through some of the most torrid rounds of his career, yes he was comprehensively beaten by Ward but never was he so...well, out toughed, out muscled and out gunned. Groves was putting on a show before he got careless and started getting pulled into a brawl. Rounds 7 and 8 were probably Froch's best and the champion landed big, big shots but Groves answered any questions there were about his chin. So, what does this fight teach us, other than the fact that some refs are far too nervous for the big fights and that some judges may be half blind? First and foremost, I've had to eat my words, as have 99% of boxing fans and pundits, Groves deserved to be in the ring with Froch and he has shown himself to be a world class operator. Based on his performance last night, I can see him troubling any fighter in the division and beating fair few. Groves may come out of it the official loser but he is an undoubted winner in the eyes of the fans and media, noway will Hearn and Froch want another 12 rounds with Groves. So where does Groves go from here? Simply put, Ward is currently a step too far and a fight that Ward wouldn't want anyway, Chavez Jr, Bika and GGG are all looking for that big money shot, which equals either Froch or Ward as possible opponents. If groves had got the win he may have been in the million dollar sweep stakes but he isn't and he won't be. A domestic rematch with DeGale may shut up doubters and end DeGale's slow and tedious career...how about Stieglitz, should be an easy win or maybe Arthur Abraham? Groves has a few cards to play but the Froch rematch must be a priority. How about Britain's current best fighter? Froch was out hustled, out boxed and out muscled, that, as a combination, has never happened to him before. Can he come back from this? I'm not so sure, he looked sluggish, his hands were slower and his reflexes even worse. The wars he has gone through, culminating in that battle with Kessler for a second time may have ripped Froch's prime to pieces. The Froch we saw last night would not be able to beat Chavez in my opinion, the Mexican hits harder and is more ruthless. If no rematch then it should be retirement, Froch has fought far too many battles, I don't think he has any more left in him. Now, the big show in China, this was supposed to be Manny Pacquiao's comeback and a comeback of sorts it most definitely was. Manny looked sharp, his handspeed was still elite and he seemed to hit Rios at will with both hands. A lot has been written today about Manny's redemption but I'm not so sure. Rios is a limited slugger at best, even Mike Alvarado looked like a supreme boxer at times against him, so what did we see last night? I actually think Manny has lost a touch of his foot speed and his head movement was almost non-existent last night, he went in straight and went out with his head held high. The smoothness and fluidity of movement just wasn't there. Manny may have been on the slide versus Bradley but he managed to comfortably outbox a slick boxer but Marquez may well have accelerated the decline. For my money, what was saw last night was a bad Manny Pacquiao impersonator, the handspeed was there but the feet seemed twisted at times and the head far too still. This isn't the Pacman who gobbled up Barrera, Morales, Cotto and made Marquez look like a ragdoll. Brandon Rios? Well, what is there to say...he's a tough SOB who can take a shot, a walking talking punch bag, as Kellerman alluded to. Can he beat elite opposition? The answer is a resounding no. Can he entertain? Sometimes, he is never boring at the very least. The fight should have been stopped in the 10th and this goes to show the irresponsible attitude that the Garcias have, with their fighters and themselves. Margarito suffered a career ending injury due to similar complacency and supposed machismo. In my eyes it's utter stupidity. Where does Rios go from here? People will still pay to see this poor man's Gatti but he will get hurt sooner rather than later, the Garcias coupled with Rios are a disaster waiting to happen. As for Pacquiao, I don't think he can hang with too many punchers, he looked wobbled on an umber of occasions last night. The Bradley fight is necessary but after that, I hope he retires. Sadly, I know he won't. What do you guy think of he 4 boxers last night and where they're headed?