Fight Pick & Preview – Froch vs. Groves:
November 23 brings the return of an international fan favorite, but in particular a British boxing hero, to the ring in Manchester. On that night, Carl “The Cobra” Froch takes on fellow Englishman George Groves, defending his WBA and IBF titles. Conventional wisdom says no one in the 168 lbs ranks whose name isn’t “Andre Ward” can beat boxing’s reigning ironman, but how true is that assessment?
George Groves (19-0, 15 KOs)
5’11 1/2″ tall, 72″ reach, 25 years old
British
Former Commonwealth and British Super Middleweight Champion (vacated)
Groves is a polished boxer with a sterling amateur pedigree, despite his never having represented his country at the Olympics or World Championships, and his professional resume is better than most rising boxers with fewer than 20 fights.
He faced old amateur rival James DeGale in his 10th pro outing, and edged out a Majority Decision in a very close fight. A year later, he out-pointed the rough and tumble Glen Johnson, although it should be noted Johnson was nearing his retirement at that point. He is quick, wields good power, and has daunting defensive ability.
Carl Froch (31-2, 22 KOs)
6’1″ tall, 35″ reach, 36 years old
British
Two-time former super middleweight champion; current WBA-IBF Super Middleweight Champion
If you are reading this article, you should already be familiar with Froch’s career, so I’ll skip the summary and focus on what he does in the ring. “The Cobra” is a boxer-puncher with an emphasis on the puncher part. He is very tough, strong, and hits with vicious, damaging power. Rounding out that picture are sometimes underrated boxing skills grounded on a stiff, capable jab.
Froch vs. Groves Preview & Analysis
While Froch can box, he is not by nature a boxer and it is not his forte. When Froch leans on his boxing skills, it is either to take the easy path in a fight against a brawler or swarmer (Arthur Abraham, Johnson) or to use his jab as the foundation for a puncher’s offense. He can’t out-box the faster, more skilled Groves, and I don’t expect him to try.
That makes this a classic matador and bull match-up. Froch shows no signs of aging, is full of fight and confidence, and is one of the most ruggedly durable characters in the game today. Whatever his disadvantage in speed and defensive skill, Froch has taken shots from much bigger bangers, and Groves doesn’t have the kind of power necessary to deter Froch from coming forward.
Furthermore, Froch has fought men who were faster than he before (Jermain Taylor, Andre Dirrell), and who have brought good defensive ability to the table. One way or another, he has found a way to prevail against all except Andre Ward, and Ward is fast becoming the Roy Jones of the early 21st Century.
So we can assume that Froch will reach Groves sooner or later. When that happens, whether Groves can take Froch’s punishment is an entirely open question. DeGale and Johnson can both hit, and both tagged Groves, so we know he can take a punch. Yet neither Groves’ opponent is in the same league as Froch. Maybe Grove has a concrete jaw, but we don’t know that at this time.
Froch vs. Groves Prediction
It is easy to see Froch suffering frustration in the early and even middle rounds of the fight, as Groves beats him to the punch and slicks his way out of taking major punishment in turn, even if Froch bulls Groves in the early going. I see Froch following Groves around, walking him down and projecting his particular brand of menace and machismo, so as to build momentum and come on later.
That is where Groves’ lack of seasoning is going to hurt him, because watching a guy take your best stuff and literally sneer at, round after round, has an effect. Just ask Andre Dirrell.
Unable to keep Froch back consistently and a little intimidated, Groves will find Froch gaining on him, landing stiff jabs and hard rights to the head and body that might be fewer in number than his own blows, but they will hurt much, much more. A late round knockdown ought to cement Froch’s lead, and help him overcome Groves’s early lead.
Prediction: Carl Froch UD12 George Groves
