Groves expect 'no-contest' bid to fail

George Groves believes he has a strong case to get his defeat to Carl Froch declared a no-contest, but admits he is not expecting his bid to be successful. The Londoner lost his unbeaten record when he was controversially stopped in nine rounds by IBF and WBA super-middleweight champion Froch in November. Howard Foster was widely criticised for his decision to end the fight and the IBF subsequently ordered a rematch, ruling "inappropriate conduct" by the referee contributed to Groves losing. The 25-year-old has now asked for the result to be amended by the British Boxing Board of Control. “I’m well within my rights to contest it, I feel,” said Groves, speaking to Hawksbee and Jacobs. “The fight was more than a premature ending. The fight was not finished. The IBF agreed and they did everything they could in their power, which was to force an immediate rematch. “I’d like my last fight to be amended to a no-contest because I didn’t lose that fight. The IBF agreed I didn’t lose that fight, therefore it shouldn’t count." Groves, however, is not holding out much hope that the British Boxing Board will rule in his favour. “I don’t expect much because the British Boxing Board of Control have already done their upmost to stand by Howard Foster, the referee, although he has gone on to resign from the IBF, which I’m assuming was because of his performance in the fight," he continued. “It will be interesting to see what they come up with. I certainly have a very strong case and a good argument. “They are having a meeting about it in the middle of February, I understand, and that’s when I will hear back from them.” Groves is yet to thrash out terms with Froch over a rematch, but insists he is not the one holding up the negotiations. Froch hit out at his fellow Brit last week after claiming he had rejected a seven-figure offer. But Groves said: "I have secured a shot at the IBF title. It's up to Carl Froch to accept that and not vacate. "It is an interesting time. Anyone who thinks I have rejected a fight with Carl Froch is wrong. All I did was turn down the terms his promoter made in an offer." http://talksport.com/boxing/exclusive-groves-expects-froch-no-contest-bid-fail-14020478548#Rv64X6q8H2uAfle5.99

Comments (17)

The IBF didn't make Khan-Petersen a NC when Petersen failed drugs test, got a robbery and had a weird hat man distracting the judges, so i dont think they will for a stoppage that was 10 seconds early Definitely a joke of a fight with what transpired. Sadly the sanctioning body cannot overturn the result of a fight, this decision is made by the local/state boxing commission they are fighting under. Sanctioning bodies can only order a rematch, as they have done with Froch and Groves.

12y ago

LacedUp

SMH Peterson Khan was not a robbery it was a close fight and you could even argue Peterson was robbed of a point from the bs knockdown. Close fights are not robberies. 2 points for pushing?!? Are you kidding me??

12y ago

SthPaw

George Groves needs to shut up. I was among the many fans that got on side with him in the aftermath of the Froch fight, but f**k me he is pushing it. He just needs to shut up and fight the fight he asked for. If he had this many complaints that are justifiable he would walk away to find other opportunities and people would support him for it. He is on his own with these complaints. Fighting Carl Froch puts you on the main stage of the sport, and with Groves fighting him that would be the first time he has been there (world level) and I can't help but think how well he did has gone to his head a little bit. The fight was stopped early and sparked controversy and we all know that, it is what it is. But it is NOT 'No Contest' appeal worthy. I feel as though his time in the limelight and the amount of support he initially had has gone to his head and he now thinks he can have it all.

12y ago

G_G_G

Groves is becoming a real pest now, he's on psycho stalker mode. The obsession with Froch is getting creepy now. You tried, let it be and move on. You can't help but imagine this guy thinks and dreams about Froch 24/7.

12y ago

Dirk_Diggler_UK

Maybe they are gayemaker fans too. They do have many of their traits - hypocrisy being the main one.

12y ago

LacedUp

He's appealing to the BBBofC so even less likely. The IBF is such a joke that they may have accepted it. Maybe they are gayemaker fans too.

12y ago

Dirk_Diggler_UK

12y ago

Simurgh

Groves did not lose that fight, but it shouldn't be changed to no-contest. New fight will tell it all. Hope it happens.

12y ago

ZottyCar

Yeah but we see a lot worse , i think the referee had legitimate reasons based on Groves body language

12y ago

LacedUp

It would set a precedent if it was approved. It wasn't 'that bad' anyway It was pretty bad. Not bad enough for a NC - but it was pretty bad.

12y ago

ZottyCar

It would set a precedent if it was approved. It wasn't 'that bad' anyway

12y ago

LacedUp

It is kinda the same (at least it implies they thought the result controversial) though without the same ramifications, but then the IBF don't really give a damn. Another mando means more lovely sanctioning fees for them, hell do they care who Froch fights next? They just like the idea it's gonna be soon. But there's almost no chance it gets overturned by the BBBofC, whatever you think of the result it would imply a lack of faith in one of their top guys and also potentially open the floodgates for a host of other challenges. In any case NCs are basically only awarded post factum if someone (either the fighters or officials) can be proved to have cheated in some way, which is not really the case in this instance - realistically the most that can be alleged is incompetance (and even that ain't gonna make Groves many friends at the BBBofC). Groves just needs to get the hell on with it now - sign the damn contract even if it ain't as fat as he wants (or deserves) and get this fight made. Totally agreed. They probably saw the $$$$ on the line for the fight. I don't think there's anyway in hell this fight should be turned to NC. I also think the BBBofC have much more integrity than that. The IBF didn't make Khan-Petersen a NC when Petersen failed drugs test, got a robbery and had a weird hat man distracting the judges, so i dont think they will for a stoppage that was 10 seconds early That was the worst sanctioning of all times. Fight should have clearly been called a NC - arguably with the shady judging and refereeing + hat man. But when you add PEDs on top of that.. Well, Peterson is from the west coast right? Pretty close to NJ.

12y ago

Citizen_Koba

It would be quite strange if it was changed. And unjustly so as well. But then again, the IBF did force a rematch - which is more or less the same from their side. It is kinda the same (at least it implies they thought the result controversial) though without the same ramifications, but then the IBF don't really give a damn. Another mando means more lovely sanctioning fees for them, hell do they care who Froch fights next? They just like the idea it's gonna be soon. But there's almost no chance it gets overturned by the BBBofC, whatever you think of the result it would imply a lack of faith in one of their top guys and also potentially open the floodgates for a host of other challenges. In any case NCs are basically only awarded post factum if someone (either the fighters or officials) can be proved to have cheated in some way, which is not really the case in this instance - realistically the most that can be alleged is incompetance (and even that ain't gonna make Groves many friends at the BBBofC). Groves just needs to get the hell on with it now - sign the damn contract even if it ain't as fat as he wants (or deserves) and get this fight made.

12y ago

soul_survivor

Na, it shouldn't be a no contest, that's ridiculous. He shoud just take the rematch.

12y ago

LacedUp

He has no case. Everyone knows it will fail. It would be quite strange if it was changed. And unjustly so as well. But then again, the IBF did force a rematch - which is more or less the same from their side.

12y ago

IronDanHamza

He has no case. Everyone knows it will fail.

12y ago

yoz

Quite right, too. Just sign the damn contract and stop b1tching.

12y ago