Contrary to what some are saying..Groves has got into Froch's head even MORE than the first fight. Lets look at some facts..
1) The Psychologist - Froch hired a sports psychologist for the rematch and promptly unfollowed Groves on twitter - suggesting he was advised not to engage with Groves this time round. This is backed up by his complete absence from the media in the build up - Froch is usually a media/interview whore before fights. Hiring a psychologist is tantamount to admitting he lost the mind games in the first fight.
2) The Push - despite being warned not to engage, as early as March Froch had lost his cool, pushing Groves at a standard press shoot at Wembley.
3) Lee Froch - so shook is Froch he secured the services of his brother to act as an Angel Garcia wannabe and attempt (unsuccessfully) to wind up Groves. This backfired, turning off the fans even more. As a result Lee Froch swiftly went back into hiding - FAIL.
4) THE HATE - Since the first fight Froch has had to deal with DAILY public animosity for the first time in his life. For someone with as inflated an ego and as many underlying insecurities as Froch, such episodes can be hard to deal with.
5) The Demeanour - Froch has been uncharacteristically quiet and lacking in confidence this time round. As hard as he tries to feign calmness and level headedness, the truth belies him. Gone are the bold predictions and swagger of his early career interviews. Appearing far more uncomfortable than usual, his lip appears occasionally to quiver like that of a 10 year old girl. His favored 'warrior pout' has barely been seen for months.
If anything, Groves was inside Froch's head the first time around and that explains the overall poor performance before the stoppage. Now Froch is taking this matchup seriously and clearing his mind for the ultimate showdown. Now there won't be anymore excuses and b.s. before the fight. Froch is looking out for his best interests this time around. Whatever it takes for him to get back on track.
Groves has said if the mind games give him an advantage then it's all good but he's not at all relying on them. . . . .“Ultimately it comes down to the fundamentals. I've got faster feet than him, I've got faster hands than him, better defensive abilities than him – and I know that can hurt him. So when you look at it like that, well, what are you going to do, Carl? Grit your teeth and hope for the best. He’s just going to walk into shots. He’s going to have to punch his way out of bad situations and then walk on to even heavier shots. What he’s got is just not good enough. He’s a caveman. He’s fighting with flint tools.”
Groves has said that if he gets an advantage from that then it's all good but he's not relying on mind games. . . ***8220;Ultimately it comes down to the fundamentals. I***8217;ve got faster feet than him, I***8217;ve got faster hands than him, better defensive abilities than him ***8211; and I know that can hurt him. So when you look at it like that, well, what are you going to do, Carl? Grit your teeth and hope for the best. He***8217;s just going to walk into shots. He***8217;s going to have to punch his way out of bad situations and then walk on to even heavier shots. What he***8217;s got is just not good enough. He***8217;s a caveman. He***8217;s fighting with flint tools.***8221;
Great observations.
Froch getting stopped this time... it will be completely one-sided.
Froch know his time is up...the execution is not far away and the clock is ticking away.
Its amazing when you observe the mental state of both fighters... completely different from the first fight.
Groves has taken alot of confidence from the first fight and Froch has gone the other way.
I hate Froch and can't wait for him getting beat up in this fight.
Groves is by no means great but he is in a perfect position to destroy a tired and mentally defeated Carl Froch.
Waaaaaaaaaaar 'St George' Groves!!!!!!!!!
:notworthy
I honestly expect a better Froch this time around,not as stiff with more movement and a better use of his jab.
As for the mind games,I think Groves is rattled this time around, he's tried everything to get inside Froch's head over the last few weeks from what we've seen and it's not working in the slightest, he's even gone as far to not have a judge from Poland scoring the fight because Froch is quater polish, those are the tactics of a worried man in my opinion.
Groves is by far superior at the mind games. Shame he lost the first fight though.
So mind games wont win you the fight. You did well against Froch as you are a good fighter so youd do well even without mind games.
But Groves is a funny guy so continue with the mind games. Its win win, as we get some fun and games before the fight and during.
All the 'mind games' have dragged on to much IMO over the course of these 2 fights. Becomes a bit dull after a while.
The special show on Sky Sports tomorrow night looks good.. but the clip of Groves shaking hands with Froch then pulling him towards him, across the table, made me cringe. All abit to WWF.
I don't think it really matters in the end. Groves is a bad style for Froch regardless. He will need to go through hell to win this fight.
Froch has clearly been "therapised" though. It's almost too obvious. He keeps having to say he's cool and calm and enjoys Groves' company. When you keep having to repeat that, it doesn't sound all that convincing. I don't think he's taking the bait as much as he did the first time though and has actually owned Groves on certain occasions.
Froch is obviously different than before the first fight. He remains calm and cool. It's clear he was advised not to engage too much this time around. Not sure if that's the best for him..
But anyhow who wins this fight won't be determined by pre fight games.
How can you 'hate' Froch? As a boxer, he fights all-comers.
Has he offended you personally? Did he poke your girlfriend or something?
Typical Hayemaker fan.
Ok hate is the wrong choice... i prefer to see Groves win.
What's Haye got to do with anything? Did he poke your bum or something?
Great observations.
Froch getting stopped this time... it will be completely one-sided.
Froch know his time is up...the execution is not far away and the clock is ticking away.
Its amazing when you observe the mental state of both fighters... completely different from the first fight.
Groves has taken alot of confidence from the first fight and Froch has gone the other way.
I hate Froch and can't wait for him getting beat up in this fight.
Groves is by no means great but he is in a perfect position to destroy a tired and mentally defeated Carl Froch.
Waaaaaaaaaaar 'St George' Groves!!!!!!!!!
How can you 'hate' Froch? As a boxer, he fights all-comers.
Has he offended you personally? Did he poke your girlfriend or something?
Typical Hayemaker fan.
Great observations.
Froch getting stopped this time... it will be completely one-sided.
Froch know his time is up...the execution is not far away and the clock is ticking away.
Its amazing when you observe the mental state of both fighters... completely different from the first fight.
Groves has taken alot of confidence from the first fight and Froch has gone the other way.
I hate Froch and can't wait for him getting beat up in this fight.
Groves is by no means great but he is in a perfect position to destroy a tired and mentally defeated Carl Froch.
Waaaaaaaaaaar 'St George' Groves!!!!!!!!!
Great, impartial post.
Great observations.
Froch getting stopped this time... it will be completely one-sided.
Froch know his time is up...the execution is not far away and the clock is ticking away.
Its amazing when you observe the mental state of both fighters... completely different from the first fight.
Groves has taken alot of confidence from the first fight and Froch has gone the other way.
I hate Froch and can't wait for him getting beat up in this fight.
Groves is by no means great but he is in a perfect position to destroy a tired and mentally defeated Carl Froch.
Waaaaaaaaaaar 'St George' Groves!!!!!!!!!
Contrary to what some are saying..Groves has got into Froch's head even MORE than the first fight. Lets look at some facts..
1) The Psychologist - Froch hired a sports psychologist for the rematch and promptly unfollowed Groves on twitter soon after - suggesting he was advised not to engage with Groves this time round. This is backed up by his complete absence from the media in the build up - Froch is usually a media/interview whore before fights. Hiring a psychologist is tantamount to admitting he lost the mind games in the first fight.
2) The Push - despite being warned not to engage, as early as March Froch had lost his cool, pushing Groves at a standard press shoot at Wembley.
3) Lee Froch - so shook is Froch he secured the services of his brother to act as an Angel Garcia wannabe and attempt (unsuccessfully) to wind up Groves. This backfired, turning off the fans even more. As a result Lee Froch swiftly went back into hiding - FAIL.
4) THE HATE - Since the first fight Froch has had to deal with DAILY public animosity for the first time in his life. For someone with as inflated an ego and as many underlying insecurities as Froch, such episodes can be hard to deal with.
5) The Demeanour - Froch has been uncharacteristically quiet and lacking in confidence this time round. As hard as he tries to feign calmness and level headedness, the truth belies him. Gone are the bold predictions and swagger of his early career interviews. Appearing far more uncomfortable than usual, his lip appears occasionally to quiver like that of a 10 year old girl. His favored 'warrior pout' has barely been seen for months.
Didn't realise you were an expert on the subject... Thanks for the enlightening post.