By Scott Gilfoid: The management for IBF/WBA super middleweight champion Carl Froch (31-2, 23 KO’s) have reportedly said no to the idea of American referee Jack Reiss working the Froch vs. George Groves (19-1, 15 KO’s) on May 31st at the Wembley Arena in London, UK. There’s no reason why Froch’s management would say no to the no nonsense Reiss. This referee has an excellent track record. However, he’s a referee that doesn’t put up with fouling, such as rabbit punches, hitting on the break, using the forearm, elbows and shoving.
“We initially wanted Jack Reiss, but we’ve got an objection, so we’ve had to change,” said IBF chairman Lindsay Tucker to Sky Sports. “We naturally feel that Reiss is qualified to do the fight, but a big fight like this, if somebody objects, we kind of take it seriously, even though we don’t agree with this.”
Groves wants a neutral referee and neutral judges to work the fight so that there’s less of a chance of the fight being stopped prematurely like what we saw last time Groves fought Froch last November.
It would be interesting to know what Froch’s team’s issue was with Reiss, because he did a great job in the recent Bermane Stiverne vs. Chris Arreola fight. He stopped the fight when it needed to be stopped in the 6th round, and he did a good job of forcing Stiverne to go to the neutral corner after he dropped Arreola in the 6th round. Reiss definitely wouldn’t let Froch throw rabbit punches on the inside like he was doing to Groves the last time they fought, and he’d also stop Froch from hitting on the break, which is something Froch did against Groves last time as well.
This fight needs a referee like Jay Nady, because he does a good job of policing infractions. He’s not going to let a fighter get fouled all night long each time he goes in for a clinch without taking off points. Nady is a fair referee, but he’s also a firm referee. He’ll give you a warning if you don’t listen to him, he’ll take off points.
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