Froch battles Groves next Saturday: The Dark Cobra Rises

By Boxing News - 05/24/2014 - Comments

froch782By Byron James: Next Saturday night belongs to personally the most eagerly awaited fight of my fifteen years as a devoted boxing fan. Carl Froch (32-2, 23 KO’s) will once against step into the ring with the relatively recent, but perhaps most fearsome nemesis of his boxing career George Groves (19-1, 15 KO’s).

The title of this article mirrors that of a well known recent blockbuster film, and in many ways the scenario Carl Froch faces is not altogether unlike the film’s protagonist. Coming into their first fight Carl Froch had finally found a long sought after connection with the British public. He was cheered into the ring whilst George Groves was welcomed with boos and jeers. However, leaving aside the well know and documented details of what happened in the fight (it was stopped too early) what transpired was a 30 minute window where roles were reversed. Froch was pronounced the villain of piece, while Groves rose like a phoenix from the ashes as a losing peoples champion.

My personal opinion is that the referee’s early stoppage ironically did more harm to Froch than Groves, as I believe he robbed Carl of a career defining victory, and one of the most sensational comebacks of recent times. But most of all Froch lost his long craved for favour with the British boxing public. Some of this may be his doing, due to his slightly self serving post fight speech, however emotions were high and the man is a proud fighter.

As you can probably tell I am a massive Carl Froch fan, he is a true warrior and champion who I feel has been very under-appreciated in his home country for the majority of his career. Therefore, it was incredibly sad to see the boos from the fans following a fight where he as well as George really gave their all and put their health truly on the line. I have great admiration and respect for Grove’s performance last time out, and i see the rematch as a true 50/50 fight. I will be watching and willing Froch to not only find a way to win once more, but also to find redemption in the eyes of the British public.



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