Carl Froch vs. George Groves 2 – How big is this fight?

froch5666By AneelKBoxing: The first fight between Carl Froch and George Groves ended in controversy which has given each fighter another pass to right a wrong with the rematch. It’s lead us to a second fight which is far bigger than the first one if not the biggest ever in the UK, this is in-fact due to its venue and attendance at Wembley Stadium.

Just a week away from the event, I want to highlight a few reasons in why this fight is so thrilling and in my own opinion more exciting than any other boxing event this year. This fight provides more than just a glimpse of top boxers but more that they genuinely despise each other and have equally found themselves in controversy following the first fight. Unlike the Mayweather and Pacquiao fights, the Froch/Groves first fight held a story line to it, where in each round we saw Froch hurt and in trouble from the young Groves.

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Calzaghe wonders if Groves has the conditioning to beat Froch

froch92By Scott Gilfoid: Joe Calzaghe is impressed with George Groves’ speed and talent, but he questions whether he’ll have the stamina to defeat IBF/WBA super middleweight champion Carl Froch (32-2, 23 KO’s) in their rematch at the end of the month on May 31st. Calzaghe sees Froch an old time boxer who could have fought 15 round fights years ago when championship boxing matches were still going 15 rounds. Calzaghe also thinks he would have beaten Froch and Groves in his prime.

“It’s a question of stamina. Froch still appears to have the cardiovascular capacity to go any distance,” Calzaghe said. “I expect we’re going to find out about George. Froch is beginning to look like he’s slowing up…Groves is faster but does he have the steam for a long fight? In my own mind, I believe that in my prime I would have beaten either of them.”

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Carl Froch v George Groves (full card review)

froch35By Gav Duthie: It is difficult to understate the enormity of probably the biggest fight in British boxing history with the rematch between Carl ‘The Cobra’ Froch and George ‘Saint’ Groves. This is a great spectacle for the UK because not only is this a domestic rivalry between two guys who can’t stand each other it is also a bout between two World level fighters. On top if this the fight will take place in England’s national stadium Wembley in front of 80,000 fans.

As always Eddie Hearn to his credit isn’t just satisfied with a big headline. He has produced a sizzling undercard which I will attempt to review in detail. After extensive research (boxrec and youtube mostly) I will discuss a breakdown of the fights confirmed so far as well as my usual miles off predictions. 

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Froch: I was only 50-60% against Groves last time

froch7999By Scott Gilfoid: IBF/WBA super middleweight champion Carl Froch (32-2, 23 KO’s) says he was only at 50 to 60 percent of his maximum ability for his previous fight against challenger George Groves (19-1, 15 KO’s) last November in Manchester.

It’s unclear what Froch’s hangup was that had him at less than his best, but Froch says he’s going to be 100% for his rematch with him on May 31st at the Wembley Arena in London, UK. Let’s hope so, because it would be a pity if Froch is making excuses afterwards about something holding him back.

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Froch talking tough about Groves

froch00024By Scott Gilfoid: IBF/WBA super middleweight champion Carl Froch (32-2, 23 KO’s) has been playing it pretty soft in the run up to his May 31st rematch against George Groves (19-1, 15 KO’s), as Froch has been quiet without the angry intensity that he had in the build-up to their previous fight last November.

Froch figures that Groves won’t be able to fight hard for a full 12 round on May 31st without gassing out and getting halted in front of what will likely be a crowd of 80,000 screaming fans.

“I don’t think the fight will go the full 12 rounds,” Froch said to the Dailymail.co.uk. “The pace and the intensity I’m going to set from round one, I’m convinced George Groves hasn’t got 12 championship rounds in him. He’s not experienced.”

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Calzaghe: Groves has Froch’s number

groves8By Scott Gilfoid: Former IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe thinks that IBF/WBA super middleweight champion Carl Froch (32-2, 23 KO’s) is going to have major problems on May 31st against George Groves (19-1, 15 KO’s) in their rematch at Wembley Stadium in London, UK. Calzaghe thinks that the confidence that Groves got from being able to put Froch down early on the canvas will translate over into this fight, and he sees Froch struggling in this fight, which he sees as a real toss up.

“I think he [Groves] has got his number regarding the boxing style,” Calzaghe said to Sky Ringside. “Froch always struggles against people that can box, that can move and feint, and come over the top with a right hand, because Froch always leaves his left hand down.

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Froch’s management objects to American referee Jack Reiss for Groves fight

reissBy Scott Gilfoid: The management for IBF/WBA super middleweight champion Carl Froch (31-2, 23 KO’s) have reportedly said no to the idea of American referee Jack Reiss working the Froch vs. George Groves (19-1, 15 KO’s) on May 31st at the Wembley Arena in London, UK. There’s no reason why Froch’s management would say no to the no nonsense Reiss. This referee has an excellent track record. However, he’s a referee that doesn’t put up with fouling, such as rabbit punches, hitting on the break, using the forearm, elbows and shoving.

“We initially wanted Jack Reiss, but we’ve got an objection, so we’ve had to change,” said IBF chairman Lindsay Tucker to Sky Sports. “We naturally feel that Reiss is qualified to do the fight, but a big fight like this, if somebody objects, we kind of take it seriously, even though we don’t agree with this.”

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Andre Ward: Froch vs. Groves 2 is a domestic level fight

ward765By Scott Gilfoid: WBA super middleweight champion Andre Ward sees the May 31st rematch between IBF/WBA super middleweight champion Carl Froch and George Groves as little more than a domestic level fight between two guys from Britain, but not fighters that would mean a lot if they were to be in the United States. Ward thinks neither of those guys want any part of him, and I think a lot of boxing fans would agree with Ward. Froch already got whipped by Ward in the Super Six tournament in 2011, and a rematch likely would see the same result but only worse because Ward fought Froch with a fractured left hand.

“That’s [Froch vs. Groves] a domestic fight,” Ward said to Ringside’s Toe2 Toe podcast. “It’s not here in America, that’s not in Vegas, it’s not in New York, that’s a domestic fight. I don’t think either guy wants the fight, that’s just how I see it…Froch clearly doesn’t want the fight.”

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Hide and Seek with Andre Ward in the Build Up to Froch vs Groves 2

ward643By Damien Dennis: With less than 3 weeks left until the most eagerly anticipated global boxing event of the year, fans worldwide are reaching fever pitch in anticipation for an epic pugilistic match up between the rugged and determined Carl ‘the cobra’ Froch (32-2) and the young and athletic Saint George Groves (19-1).

To say that this IBF and WBA super middleweight world title fight is a big deal would be an understatement. Both fighters and particularly Froch will be making ridiculous amounts of wonga in the process of cementing their status as easily the two biggest draws in the division right now. But, what we really wanted to know is what has happened to the most talented fighter in the division and why is he not involved in the biggest fight in the division’s relatively short history.

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Carl Froch is losing the pre-fight mind games – again

froch35By Nick Pullen: Carl Froch has NOT undergone any psychological transformation – whatever you might think you saw when he and George Groves appeared on Ringside.

In the aftermath of their first fight, Froch appeared unable to shake himself out of a state of denial. He was disinclined to give Groves respect. He was adamant that the fight had been stopped at the right time. His initial responses to calls for a rematch were tepid at best – ultimately he had to be forced into giving one.

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