Froch/Groves on Ringside

[Tuggers1986]

None of you boys smelling an upset here?

[taansend]

None of you boys smelling an upset here?

I'm really on the fence.

I wouldn't bet money on Groves but I'm still not sure whether he can go up a level or two yet.

If you'd asked me about Carl Froch ten years ago I would never have expected this teak tough warrior. I thought of him as a skillful boxer back then.

You never know in this sport.

[IronDanHamza]

Against Degale, Groves had to eat a lot of personal insults in the build up. Degale cast himself as the pantomime villain....and this may have biased the judges in the case of the closer rounds.

This time Groves becomes the villain and I fear it may cost him if the fight is close. It was hilarious when he was teasing Froch about him being close to tears. There is no two ways about it, Carl did seem on the brink of losing it.....he really was seething.

Whether this will have any bearing on the fight is up for discussion.

You found that funny?

Words I'd use to describe it would be; Cringeworthy, pathetic, childish, sad etc.

[B0XXING FAN]

Rooting for Groves on this one. Froch is very capable, though i think he showed uncertainty in this episode of Ringside.

Not really a fan of both but...bring on the

[Bodyshot3]

Picked-up Boxing Monthly yesterday and they did their usual very good expert's poll on the fight with ex and current pros, trainers, promoters all contributing.....and top level folk who've done it all.

Everyone went for Froch except for Steve Collins who bravely felt it was too close to call. So it was 10 for Froch and one abstain from Steve C.

It is difficult to argue against the likes of Warren, Calzaghe, Peter Fury, Robin Reid and guys like Ryan Rhodes and Paul Smith.

But interestingly....despite the fact they all opted for Carl, there was lots of comment about how good Groves was and a belief that he'd be dangerous/competitive and that it would be no 'cake walk' for Carl.

The consensus seemed to be that George has taken the fight a season too early and that the bust-up with Booth is going to matter.

Graham Houston - who has been around for ages but is still a very good reporter/commentator - seemed to go much stronger for Groves in his standalone feature and he always calls good a fight.

Looking forward to this one and despite the big 'trade backing' for Froch I think this could be close and a Groves upset is not an absurd fantasy.

[CraigM]

Picked-up Boxing Monthly yesterday and they did their usual very good expert's poll on the fight with ex and current pros, trainers, promoters all contributing.....and top level folk who've done it all.

Everyone went for Froch except for Steve Collins who bravely felt it was too close to call. So it was 10 for Froch and one abstain from Steve C.

It is difficult to argue against the likes of Warren, Calzaghe, Peter Fury, Robin Reid and guys like Ryan Rhodes and Paul Smith.

But interestingly....despite the fact they all opted for Carl, there was lots of comment about how good Groves was and a belief that he'd be dangerous/competitive and that it would be no 'cake walk' for Carl.

The consensus seemed to be that George has taken the fight a season too early and that the bust-up with Booth is going to matter.

Graham Houston - who has been around for ages but is still a very good reporter/commentator - seemed to go much stronger for Groves in his standalone feature and he always calls good a fight.

Looking forward to this one and despite the big 'trade backing' for Froch I think this could be close and a Groves upset is not an absurd fantasy.

Gotta go buy this

The reasons I think George would win is due to his greater boxing ability. I'm not a huge believer in Froch's power and don't see where he would trouble Groves if Groves goes about things the right way.

Taylor always struggles for stamina down the last stretch, Mack just isn't that good and Bute let himself get caught out and destroyed.

George will probably expect a Bute like Froch strategy but the fact that Froch couldn't take out a worn out Kessler earlier this year doesn't say amazing things about his power.

George also has the power in the fight but he isn't knocking out Froch, if he boxes clever he should win, depends on how well he adjusts to Froch's awkward style.

[- Ram Raid -]

As a rule of thumb it's usually a safe bet that the winner is going to be the boxer with the greater skill. But, Froch is one of those fighters that have become increasingly rare in modern boxing. He's capable of beating boxers that are more capable than him in terms of their skill level. His force of will and psychical conditioning are great equalisers.

Groves is coming into this fight believing that, while untested, he's a better boxer and that will be enough to carry victory. It's difficult to see that being the case.

I don't see enough of a gulf between them for skill to be the deciding factor. There is however a level of preparation and work ethic that Froch brings to his trade, that at this point, I believe Groves is wholly ignorant of.

[CraigM]

I don't see enough of a gulf between them for skill to be the deciding factor. There is however a level of preparation and work ethic that Froch brings to his trade, that at this point, I believe Groves is wholly ignorant of.

Thats a great point, the whole Booth thing will most likely have an impact.

[- Ram Raid -]

Thats a great point, the whole Booth thing will most likely have an impact.

Until recently I'd never considered myself to be a fan of Froch. I've always respected him and what he's achieved and how he's gone about that but the awkward style that you mention and the fact that he's really not that skill-full didn't sit well with me.

That we both believe Groves to be the better boxer speaks volumes and it's a good point that you make about his Froch's punching power.

He has an uncanny ability though to walk through shots undeterred and carry out his game-plan. It's not great boxing by any stretch but it is effective for him. Unless Booth is right and Groves has a lot more than he's had the opportunity to show I don't see anyone that Groves has faced that prepares him for a man like Froch.

It's an interesting fight though.

[Bodyshot3]

@Stokely....all good points about Carl. The guy is grimly effective!