By Kbarsey: The first fight between British super middle weights James “CHUNKEY” Degale and George “SAINT” Groves was a close affair. In my opinion Degale one by a round through activity. But that is history and I feel both fighters arsenals and ring skills have changed since their first meeting.
I was very impressed with Degale’s performance against “highly rated” Brandon Gonzales at Wembley stadium on the Groves V Froch undercard. He looked confident, strong and composed through the bout but also had an aggression which I had been waiting to see.
Some fighters like to moan about injuries and how they influence their past performances but judging by that fight I really believe Degale’s moans were true. You could see it in his movement and his punches had more snap due to his knees being fully healed.
I have to rate James for taking on Marco Antonio Periban on the 22/11 card in Liverpool because he is mandatory for the IBF world title and could have taken an easier fight. If the fight against Gonzales was a fluke then Periban is the type of fighter who will expose him because he is good.
On the other hand I was less impressed with George Groves’s recent fight which saw him take on Christopher Rebrasse. There are many negatives I can take from that fight but importantly he looked hurt a couple of times in the fight and was looking to KO him to much and this caused him to tire. I think he was trying to prove a point to everyone that he is a world class fighter but I am afraid he is just not. He gave Froch two good fights yes, does that make him world class? I think a GOOD boxer can out box Froch because his defence and movement are poor. Those two fights I feel gave GG a world class label but his last fight was European level and I feel that’s where he is at in his career. It was a competitive fight.
George Groves is somehow mandatory for the WBC tiltle. His next opponent is Dennis ” MAMA’S BOY ” Doughlin. I give him less credit than Degale for his selection in opposition. Obviously he wants to fight a southpaw to get him ready for Dirrel, but Dirrel is different gravy and would school Groves at this moment in time. Matchroom promotions director Eddie Hearn is a wise man and wants to replicate that special night at Wembley stadium where 80,000 fans assembled themselves to watch Groves and Froch go at it and George Groves says he wants to fight James Degale next year in a unification bout, presuming both win world titles. At this point Groves is the one who is going to spoil the party by not beating Dirrel. With that said I think Degale will fight for the vacant IBF title early next year and win it. The pair will still meet despite Groves loosing to Dirrel and fight for the IBF title at Wembley next summer.
If this happens I feel Degale will be too awkward and strong for Groves. Please let me know your opinions if that fight were to take place next year who would win.
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