By Mushfiqur Rahman: IBF/WBA Super Middleweight champion Carl Froch (32-2, 23Kos) has redeemed his word by giving the opportunity to George Groves (19-1, 15Kos) to settle their differences in a rematch on May 31st. After a controversial stoppage on George in the first fight by Referee Howard Foster, fight fans demanded a rematch instantly for a fair outcome. Questions have aroused on whether it would be round 10 of the first fight where we would witness toe to toe action or round 1 of a different fight whether either fighter may approach this fight differently.
There is no doubt that George shocked the boxing world with his vintage performance against the former two times WBC Super Middleweight Champion on their first meeting. Prior to the fight, Carl seemed to have underestimated the former undefeated fighter by not paying attention to any of his recent performance. With Carl Froch coming into this fight with three straight wins over Bute, Mack and Kessler, there was so sense of arrogance in Carl knowing what he has achieved and experienced compared to “Saint George”.
After witnessing what George is capable of doing in the first bout, it is impressive to see how George pressured Carl throughout the fight and also sending him straight down to the canvas by a right hand over the top. George’s perfect timing and strength to handle a fighter who has been in wars against the likes of Kessler, Taylor, Dirrell and Abraham, this shows that George maybe the only fighter that could stop Carl for the first time in his career in which others failed to do such as the second P4P king Andre Ward.
However, In Carl’s defence, his heart and determination to bounce back from that devastating knock down was truly remarkable. His ability to absorb George’s punching power and to pile the pressure on him shows why he is Britain’s P4P best. Even though many have criticized Carl’s performance, many fight fans forget how his bravery and determination to pile the pressure may have tired George which could have led to the premature stoppage.
This is the reason why a rematch would determine every possible question that appears in our minds. Was Carl underestimating George in the first bout which led to his knockdown? Is George better than Carl like he said? Or is this the end of Carl Froch if he fails to beat George convincingly knowing he may miss his opportunity to fight in America against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr? The rematch for sure will be on the tongues of the British fight fans knowing both fighters have to prove something in order to answer those queries. It would be interesting to see how both fighters prepare themselves for this fight. Would the build up be similar to the first bout where George was patronizing Carl and Carl was disrespecting him or would there be mutual respect?
Would this be the round 10 of the first bout or round 1 of a different bout?
For sure it would be electrifying.
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