Froch, Groves and the Power of the Mind

By Boxing News - 03/13/2014 - Comments

froch#5By Nathan Laryea: They say all warfare is based on deception, and if that’s the case then George Groves is starting to look at home in boxing’s bear pit of lies. The Londoner is proving adept at managing the mind games and manipulations that come with the prize fighting business and, dare I suggest, demonstrating quite a flair for them. Having befuddled Froch in the verbal exchanges in the build to their first fight, he looks intent on doing so again and the champion will already be longing to hear the sound of the opening bell if only to drown out the taunts of his young opponent.

Boxing will always have a place for talkers, and Groves possesses a tongue as sharp and spiteful as his right hand. It is one he is happy to use for the benefit of the television cameras and, one would expect, in promotional offices, boardrooms and other such places in boxing’s corridors of influence. He has shown a willingness to work the levers of power in order to secure his second shot at the man from Nottingham. This has included a successful lobbying campaign with the IBF to reinstate his position as mandatory challenger.

Though his efforts to get the rematch have bordered on the farcical at times, most notably in its attempts to get the British Board of Control to rule his first fight with Froch a no contest, Groves’ intent has always been clear. He wanted Froch. Now he has got him.

Boxing’s political territories are normally foreign ground for a fighter. Most are content to delegate such matters to their management teams, but not so Groves. Whether it be lobbying the IBF, appealing to the BBC or running his own negotiation with Eddie Hearn for the rematch, Groves seems comfortable amongst the suits. So much so that, at least for the moment, he does not feel the need for a manager on long term promotional deal. His decision to apply for his management license and take charge of his own affairs shows Groves’ growing confidence. One wonders whether promoter Eddie Hearn, in negotiating with Groves, sees a potential future rival. The young man seems comfortable in both boxing ring and board room.

For now though, Groves’ business lies very much between the ropes and the only rival he will be thinking about is the one carrying the IBF and WBA world Super Middleweight titles. On Monday, the two squared off for the first of what will be many press gatherings between now and May 31st. The presser again showcased Groves’ penchant for mind games. While Froch gave his opening remarks, Groves smirked and toyed with a Rubik’s cube he had produced from his pocket moments before. Even in this pantomime world of boxing it was a peculiar site, but it was also oddly appropriate. Groves has the air of a trickster. Having mentally unsettled Froch in the build up to their first fight, he will again seek to unhinge the older man. The Rubik’s cube was his opening gambit. Froch appeared dismissive, but privately he will be wondering what else Groves may spring from his bag of tricks between now and fight night.

Mind games are all well and good of course but Groves is too intelligent not to know that the real work is done in the ring. Thankfully for him he is pretty good in there too. In the first fight Groves’ speed, movement and jab befuddled Froch as much as an verbal jibe could do in a press conference. In a rare piece of insight from Monday’s, Groves’ trainer Paddy Fitzpatrick stated that they rated his performance at 6 out of 10. More mind games? Perhaps. But if Groves is genuinely able to raise his performance two or three levels then he will give Froch nightmares once more.
If Fitzpatrick rated Groves’ performance at 6 out of 10, you might wonder what grade Rob McCracken would give his man. Froch looked average for large parts of the first fight.

The reasons cited for that vary according to perspective or allegiance. It’s been suggested Froch is on the slide, and if that’s true then he is danger. Boxing is littered with examples of young upstarts gleefully ripping belts from the waists of aging champions. Those more sympathetic to the Cobra suggest he simply took his man lightly, believed the hype about Groves not being in his class, and put in a sloppy performance. As for him ageing, it was Froch who finished the stronger in the first fight. Others have put forward that Groves simply has basic advantages in hand speed, foot speed and movement and was able to utilize them to full effect and put Froch to the sword. Fight fans can choose from a range of available narratives in seeking to make sense of the first fight.

Boxing is a den of hype and hysteria, bias and bluster, to the extent that even seasoned observers can sometimes struggle to judge a fighters true value. But part of the beauty of the sport is that the ring is the one place the truth is always told and, on May 31st. we will find out which of George Groves and Carl Froch is deceiving us.



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