Anthony Dirrell: George Groves will be knocked out after my next title defense

By Boxing News - 02/09/2015 - Comments

dirrell421111(Photo credit: Sumio Yamada) By Scott Gilfoid: After hearing noise from Sauerland Events, the promoters for former two time world title challenger George Groves (21-2, 16 KOs), as well as many of the fans of Groves, WBC super middleweight champion Anthony Dirrell (29-0-1, 22 KOs) took to his Instagram account to tell his boxing fans that he plans on knocking Groves out soon after he gets done with his optional title defense.

Dirrell hasn’t yet said who he plans on fighting for his first defense, but Badou Jack is one name that has popped up around the boxing world. It’s likely to be someone else that gets the fight, but even if Dirrell does face Jack, it’s a nice little title defense. Jack is a good fighter, and he should make for an interesting fight.

“Hey fans, hold tight. George Groves will get knocked out soon after this title defense,” Dirrell said on his Instagram.

I hate to say it but I believe that Dirrell is right. I see him knocking Groves out within six rounds when the two of them face each other later this year. Dirrell has to make a defense of his WBC title by April, so you can expect him to name his opponent soon. If it’s Jack, then it’s all good because Jack is a serviceable super middleweight with good boxing skills and decent pop in his punches.

The World Boxing Council gave Groves and Sauerland Events some bad news recently when they ruled in favor of Dirrell that he can have four months to get an optional title defense in for his belt. Dirrell captured the WBC title last August when he defeated Sakio Bika by a 12 round unanimous decision.

YouTube video

The fight was a grueling one for both fighters; hence Dirrell has taken a little more time than usual to recover from the fight from his nicks and scratches from the fierce battle. It’s only now that Dirrell is ready to return to the ring and make his first defense of his WBC title.

Groves really should be jumping up for joy with Dirrell choosing to take an optional title defense, because it gives Groves more time to recover from his two knockout losses to WBA super middleweight champion Carl Froch. I mean, let’s face it; Groves hasn’t looked like the same fighter he once was ever since he was knocked out by Froch in May of 2014.

In Groves’ fights against Christopher Rebrasse and Denis Douglin, Groves’ confidence seemed lacking in a huge way, and his reaction to head shots didn’t look the greatest as far as I’m concerned. When Groves would get hit solid by these two non-punchers, he’d freeze for a fraction of a second after the blow landed, and it didn’t look great.

YouTube video

I’d hate to think what would happen if Groves were in the ring with a hard hitter like Antony Dirrell. Of the two Dirrell brothers, Anthony sits down on his punches a little more than Andre Dirrell does, and he’s got considerable power – and hand speed – to increase the potency of his arsenal.



Comments are closed.