BoxRec News picks: Froch v Groves

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http://static.boxrec.com/wiki/e/e5/FROCHGROVES10-2.jpgDoes the confident young challenger George Groves possess the minerals to wrest the IBF and WBA titles from the seasoned champion Carl Froch on Saturday? BoxRec News writing team give their verdicts on the outcome of this year’s biggest domestic dust up, and the majority think not.

Martin Supple: “This fight becomes more interesting as it gets closer. Initially when announced I was sceptical about its competitiveness but that was before I'd really considered it. The Sky hype would have us believe it's Benn v Eubank. It's not, but there are a few comparisons. Barry Hearn made a valid point around Groves not hitting his level - nobody knows how good he might be. Prior to facing Benn, the biggest names on Eubank's record were Kid Milo and Hugo Corti. Groves seemed to be taken aback by Froch's dismissive behaviour towards him at the initial press conference. But as far as mind games are concerned, he certainly came to the 'Ringside' tv show with a strategy to wind up the champion. It appeared to have succeeded, Froch struggling to keep his emotions in check as Groves goaded him and advised him he would "put him to sleep".

“Groves hits very hard and is a ruthless finisher. Although Froch seems to be made of granite, I wonder whether in his desire to teach upstart Groves a lesson, he will give Groves' power the respect it deserves. If not, and he's tagged by Groves, he will be in trouble. No doubt Froch starts as a heavy favourite, with a CV as impressive as anybody in the sport and the confidence to match. If Groves was going into battle with Adam Booth in his corner, I would have been tempted to go with the upset. But I can see Froch hurting Groves mid-fight with the referee rescuing the challenger somewhere around the eighth round.”

Jon ‘Jon Boy’ Briggs: "There is only one winner of this fight for me and that has to be Carl Froch. I have not seen anything in George Groves' arsenal that can stop Carl Froch from being victorious. Froch's chin has been proven time and time again in world title fights and I feel at this moment in his career he is still levels above Groves. Froch's superior power to score him a KO win in the second half of the fight"

Tony Mayger: “As domestic dust-ups go, this is going to be one of those matches that can cause even the casual boxing fans to abruptly jump up off their recliner and spill their can of Stella all over their favourite Spiderman dressing gown. Froch is the more experienced and accompished fighter who has all the right attributes. Groves is a smart boxer and does possess the skill and power to cause the champion some trouble. I think Froch's mental toughness will prove to be the difference and he'll end Groves' night with a late stoppage.”

Brendan Galbraith: “Groves has the style to frustrate Froch for a few rounds, but I do not think he has the capacity to sustain a disciplined hit and move gameplan. This fight has come too early for Groves, and whilst its true that Froch can be frustrated by a slippery opponent, Groves is no Andre Ward and has a leaky defence. I expect Froch to cut the ring and start beating up Groves to end the fight inside six rounds”

James Bairstow: “Groves has bitten off more than he can chew here and he's taken the fight 12-18 months early in my opinion. Groves' split with trainer and tactical guru Adam Booth has made this mission even more impossible. Froch isn't as invincible as everyone is making out, but he's leagues above Groves at the moment in every department. Groves hasn't fought at anywhere near the level that Froch is and and he is in for a massive shock on 23rd November - he'll get stopped before the end of the eighth round.”

Frankie Monkhouse: “Poor George Groves doesn’t have a chance, he’s in with a big, bad fighter who’s a level or two above him and the youngster will come out of this fight terribly beat up and not knowing where to turn next. His career may even be finished before it’s really begun. Poor George Groves. Feels a bit like Groundhog Day doesn’t it?

“This is the same George Groves who didn’t stand a chance against the more technically gifted James DeGale back in 2011 but it wasn’t the Hammersmith boy who came out with egg on his face, it was all us doubters when he won. DeGale isn’t Carl Froch, but Saint George is on a three fight KO winning run and if Froch rushes forward, the underdog has enough bite in his punch to add a big name scalp to that list. As unromantic as it may be, and although I wouldn’t put anyone off a few quid on the outsider, I believe this has come a little too early in Groves’ career and Froch will finish up as the winner. I expect the champ will try to break his opponent’s heart early, but my pick is Froch on points.

Mark Turley: “My first instinct when the fight was made was for a fairly routine Froch win. One or two things are causing me to doubt my instincts - the first is age. Froch has been turning in one superhuman performance after another in recent years, but at 36, its all going to catch up with him at some point and he'll have a bad night.

“I suspect that Froch is struggling a bit with this one mentally, going in as the clear favourite against a young pretender, rather than warring with another belt-holder. The usual motivation isn't there and perhaps he's needed to inject that grudge element to motivate himself, but if so, its not a good sign. On the other side, Groves splitting with Adam Booth must have disrupted his preparations, despite his claims to the contrary. I've actually heard rumours that Booth is still working with Groves behind the scenes and will turn up on fight night, just to freak Froch out. Although he seems to be winning the psych war, I still find it difficult to believe that Groves can make the jump to true elite level right now. I'm still saying Froch between rounds 8 and 10, but less confidently than I was about two months ago.”

Rob Day: “I suspect that I will be in the minority when picking George Groves, to pull-off the upset and take Carl Froch's belts. The challenger has come along way since edging out James DeGale and followed that up with impressive and solid performances. As a fighter he has matured and appears to have all the tools needed to succeed at this level. In Carl Froch he is facing a proven champion but I feel "Saint" has the style, movement and skills to outbox and frustrate the ageing "Cobra". Groves on points.”

Phil Lyndsay:“Groves has the edge in the early verbal sparring and don’t be surprised if Adam Booth makes a late appearance in his corner. In terms of technical ability, Groves seems superior in most areas. Better footwork, punching technique, speed and power. Groves has also shown, albeit at a lower level, that he can adapt to different game plans. This could prove crucial, as Froch has struggled against mobile opposition who have decided not to trade in a slugfest.

Froch has the edge in punch resistance and experience at the top level. I am going to go against the grain and predict a Groves win, possibly inside the distance. Froch has a granite chin but it is a long time since I realised that no boxer is indestructible and his faith in his own punch resistance could be his downfall in this one. Groves’ will not stop him with a single punch but he could stun Froch and then follow up and take advantage. I don’t see Froch winning this on points but he does have it in him to stop Groves, but I am siding with the fresher, younger man to win by a clear points decision or stoppage late on.”

Will Hale: “Froch to stop Groves in the championship rounds. George lacks the big time experience for me and hasn't beaten anyone near Froch's level. Groves can box well to a gameplan as the Degale fight proved, but ultimately Carl will break his man down.”

Phil Anderson: “This one is going to be a cracker and I can't see it going the distance. Both men are big punchers and it will be exciting for the fans. I'm going for Froch as I think his advantage in defensive skills and a stronger chin will see him through. It could well be a fight of the year contender. Carl Froch by stoppage between rounds 5 - 7.”

Danny Wright: “In his column this week, Frankie Monkhouse makes the point that it’s usually best to go with your first, unsullied, knee-jerk reaction as to what you think will happen in a fight. Groves is an exciting, heavy-handed fighter. Understandably, his confidence since beating James DeGale two and a half years ago has sky-rocketed. Bits of Booth and Haye have rubbed off on him, but I’m not sure the public appreciate him the way they did last time he was the underdog. It was cringeworthy when he asked Froch if he was crying on Ringside.

“The super middleweight scene is blessed with a couple of very capable fighters in Groves and DeGale. And with more bubbling under, such as Liverpudlian Callum Smith, the future looks bright. But I just can’t see the future being ginger on Saturday, and I don’t see it being a great fight. I expect Groves to be on the back foot early on, but whether Groves is on the ropes or in the centre of the ring, I can envisage the cumulative effect of Froch’s attacks marking his face up badly and throwing his game plan out of the window. Froch to win by round eight, maybe with Howard Foster having to take a point off the champion, as I reckon he’ll be in a foul mood come Saturday night."

Froch: 10

Groves: 2

Boxing starts at 5.30pm at the Phones4U Arena, with Sky Box Office coverage starting from 6pm.

 

 

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