Anderson must pressure Groves to win and keep him from running

By Boxing News - 03/01/2012 - Comments

Image: Anderson must pressure Groves to win and keep him from runningBy Scott Gilfoid: James DeGale figured out after the first four rounds the key to beating George Groves (14-0, 11 KO’s) by putting pressure on him and coming at him fast in order to cut off his avenues of escape. Groves can only fight when he’s able to run in circles and feint without pressure being put on him.

You put pressure on him and he’s an average fighter. Kenny Anderson (15-1, 11 KO’s) will get the next stab at Groves in their rematch on March 16th at the Webley Arena, Wembley, London, UK.

I still can’t figure what the whole point is in Groves facing Anderson again after he already beat him by a 6th round TKO in 2010. I know Anderson is his mandatory for his British strap, but why bother? If he’s the mandatory and it requires you go go backwards with your career, then you lose the strap; just get rid of it and keep moving forward. This is a dumb fight and if I was Groves, I’d be saying no to it big time. But it at least gives Anderson an opportunity to follow what DeGale started in punishing Groves for the last eight rounds of the fight, but unfortunately going home a loser due to the controversial scoring of the fight.

I’m no fan of DeGale, but I saw him winning that fight and I agree with Frank Warren that DeGale should have gotten the decision. I think both guys are badly flawed to the point where I can’t see either of them ever winning world titles, but I think DeGale beat Groves. Now it’s Anderson’s turn. I think he can take the fight to Groves and get the win if he can speed up his movements around the ring. The guy moves like a slug in the ring. That’s not going to work if he wants to try and keep Groves from hitting and running. Anderson has got to use quick feet to trap Groves and hit him as hard as possible.

In his last fight against Paul Smith, Groves was stunned by a big right hand from Smith at the end of the 1st round. Unfortunately for Smith, he broke a knuckle on his right hand when he tagged Groves and wasn’t able to keep using it in the 2nd round without incredible pain. But Smith had it right. If he didn’t get injured, would have likely continued to punish Groves with right hands and may have got a stoppage. That’s what Anderson needs to do. He’s got to really unload on Groves with everything in his arsenal and not let skip away to avoid punishment. Cut off the ring and put hurt on him.



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