If Groves wins, who will he fight next?

By melo - 05/28/2014 - Comments

By Daven: This article examines what the future could hold for George Groves (19-, 15 KO’s) should he win on Saturday night at Wembley Stadium in London, UK. Obviously he has many more options than IBF/WBA super middleweight champion Carl Froch (32-2, 23 KO’s) owing to the fact Groves is still at a young age thus he doesn’t need a defining a fight or a final payday. Thus he’ll be less picky regarding his next opponent in contrast to Froch.

1. James Degale will probably be the Groves’ first opponent as a world champion should he fulfil his goal. They have fought before and it was a big, big domestic contest which captured the imaginations of the public even though both were novices at the time. Personally I don’t want this fight to happen in 2014 because it’ll be damaging to my bank balance, whereas if Groves fights a Sauerland fighter I wouldn’t have to fork out yet again. As illustrated in part one, Eddie Hearn wants domestic fights as often as possible because he sees that as a big market to gain exposure and big money for his fighters and himself. Whilst Degale would be the mandatory for the IBF assuming he wins, it doesn’t mean Groves has to fight him next. Adonis Stevenson was mandatory challenger for Froch for months yet he was overlooked. Likewise Manny Pacquiao was made mandatory for Mayweather’s world title yet that didn’t happen. So Eddie Hearn for all his craftiness better realize Groves does not owe Matchroom or Degale anything. Degale is not a main event fighter yet so if Groves doesn’t give the fight, Hearn will struggle to get a decent arena to stage a Degale fight. He’d likely turn into another Kell Brook thus Hearn and Degale need the Groves fight more than George does.

2. Arthur Abraham versus Groves would be a unification fight and therefore would be meaningful for the 168 lb division. The Sauerlands would love to have two world champions at 168 lbs and would likely milk it for all its worth by pitting the two against each other. Given Abraham’s substantial support in Germany the fight would likely take place there which would be of little concern to Groves, who would likely thrive in new surroundings as he has done throughout his career. This is what I’d like to see Groves do after Saturday should he win but Hearn will likely launch a strong media and public campaign for Groves to fight Degale again.

3. Mikkel Kessler would be an interesting and understandable first defence for Groves. The fight could happen in England or Denmark, Stamford Bridge would be an excellent venue to stage the Hammersmith boy’s first title defence and his popularity will obviously be sky high should he defeat Froch in front of 80,000 plus the thousands watching at home. For this fight to sell Kessler would have to fight a credible opponent in the summer as stated earlier, only then will people view it as competitive bout.

4. Carl Froch could well demand a rematch should he lose however I don’t believe it’s a likely prospect owing to my belief the winner on Saturday will win with conviction. Should Froch lose therefore he’ll do so without any controversy and lose to the better man making it an uphill struggle for him to be viewed as a legit threat to a man who is ten years his junior. Having said that if the fans do get a an absolute barnstormer which sees Froch put in a valiant performance but still lose convincingly maybe a third instalment could be arranged.

5. Andre Ward is the number one fighter in the division and brings in little money or public interest hence he is avoided like the plague. Groves however has expressed his willingness to fight SOG, whether this was just hype or not it does make Ward a contender even if it is a long shot. The chances of this being next for Groves is slim especially due to Ward’s ongoing feud with Dan Goossen.

In conclusion Groves at 26 has the future of the Super middleweight division in his grasp. If he overcomes Froch he can pick and choose what he wants, should he lose he’d still have Abraham and Kessler as possible fights but he could really become a star on Saturday. In turn giving him all the power a boxer could dream for.



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