Not long to wait until Carl Froch and George Groves clash in this eagerly-awaited rematch. On May 31st, the duo will do battle once more, six months on from their previous encounter which was contentiously and rancorously brought to an abrupt ending. Undoubtedly, the Wembley bout will be the highest grossing affair in British boxing history. Let’s take a look at the reasons making this a must see fight.
A man who defeated “The Cobra” (Froch) four years ago, Andre Ward, believes that the 36-year-old will once more emerge victorious; despite the fact the champion is ten years older than Groves. Initially and rather comically, George Groves refused to fight Froch unless the British Boxing Board of Control consented to the inclusion of neutral officials for the super-middleweight world title rematch. The 26-year-old London native is no stranger to controversial statements; Groves is a young man full of confidence, perhaps a little too much. After losing to Froch back in November 2013, the challenger branded the ninth-round stoppage by referee Howard Foster as a “stonewall” robbery. In many ways, sadly, Groves did have a point, because for six rounds the Londoner was firmly in control.
Whether or not he truly believes his own hype, Groves has made numerous statements denouncing the prowess of Froch, an example being; “Froch knows, apart from the gift in the ninth round last time out, he’s got nothing. He’s absolutely spent.” At the initial Wembley Stadium press conference, unforgettably, Groves casually completed a Rubik’s Cube while Froch answered probing questions, a ploy that clearly infuriated the more senior opponent. With ticket sales expected to hit 80,000, a number that would ensure a new post-war British attendance record, the excitement is palpable, especially when you consider the staggering fact that sixty-thousand tickets were sold within the first hour of going on sale.
Froch, a Nottingham native, admits that he did approach the previous encounter rather arrogantly, but he must be aware that, even though Groves talks and talks (and then talks a little more), he is a potent fighter, a man not to be underestimated. Possessing lighting fast reflexes and incredible stamina, Groves poses a real threat.
Psychological games have been instigated by the Groves’ camp from the very moment the rematch was confirmed, with the camp’s senior trainer telling us how he had written to the BBBofC. Why? Well, Paddy Fitzpatrick wanted them to confirm Froch’s was indeed fit enough to box, both mentally and physically.
In the last encounter, Groves, the bookmakers’ underdog, had surprisingly floored Froch in the opening round. Additionally, he was ahead on all three judges’ scorecards going into the ninth (78-73, 76-75 and 76-75), all before Froch was awarded the controversial victory. Ever since that night, the two British fighters’ acidic rivalry has only increased further.
From a betting perspective, one must now determine just how tricky it will be for Froch to remain the assailant and preserve the enterprise displayed last November’s. With boasting rights at stake, Carl will be all too aware of a knockout defeat threat, perhaps opting to alter his boxing style in order to thwart Groves. For Froch, most definitely, there is more to lose from defeat than there is to gain from triumph, because, regardless of the outcome, he might very well retire after the encounter. Naturally, being the character he is, Carl wants to leave Wembley on the highest of highs, although, this time around, Groves is considered a far greater threat to Froch’s Championship credentials, so the word fascinating doesn’t even begin to describe the impending clash.
Froch won the battle but will he win the war?
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