By Scott Gilfoid: IBF/WBA super middleweight champion Carl Froch (32-2, 23 KO’s) says his diet is going well and that he’s down to 8% body fat for his fight against George Groves (19-1, 15 KO’s) this Saturday night. Froch says he hasn’t felt this good since his win over Lucian Bute in 2012, and he interprets that to mean he’s going to put in a similar type performance against Groves, who Froch feels isn’t tough enough to ever win a world title. Froch seems to be a tad bit overconfident for this one, and I have a feeling he may have another performance like he did against Andre Ward and Andre Dirrell where he gets clowned.
“I’m bigger, heavier and stronger now, which is bad news for George Groves,” Froch said. “I’m not sure George will ever be a world champion. I don’t think he’s a 12-round fighter. He’s not genetically cut out for this at the top level – not tough enough. As for me, I’m not ready to retire. I’m enjoying the sport. I’ve loved being away from home, but don’t tell my wife!”
For someone who was dominated in 6 of the 9 rounds of his previous fight, Froch sure does sound confident and more than a little out of touch with reality. It sounds like his feet aren’t on the ground with the way he’s talking. I don’t know if Groves will ever be a world champion either, but I do know that he’s capable of beating Froch on Saturday if he follows a smart game plan for the entire 12 rounds without straying. Groves was his own worst enemy in his previous fight because he gave away what would have been a victory for him by making the conscious decision to get in the trenches with Froch and slug it out.
That’s fine if you’re a talent like Andre Ward with amazing hand speed, defense and inside fighting skills, but Groves has none of that going for him. He’s just a a guy that can punch hard, move around the ring moderately well and use feints. Groves ins’t a rugged type of fighter to be trying to stand in front of Froch and play his game. Like I said, Ward could do it, but definitely not Groves. He needs to fight a different fight to beat a guy like Froch. Basically, Groves needs to use the same fighting style he used in his close win over James DeGale if he wants to win on Saturday. Groves played hit and run in that fight, and that was the reason he was able to win a narrow decision. Even in that fight, Groves faded in the last six rounds.
If Froch is down to 8 percent body fat like he’s talking about, then could mean that he’s gone overboard with his training by trying to do too many exercises in hopes that it would give him peace of mind. More is definitely not better when you’re 36 like Froch, and it sounds like he took it to the extreme with his training camp for this fight. If Groves doesn’t gas in the 2nd half of the fight, then Froch might do it himself do his focus on his diet and reducing body fat.
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