George Groves vs. Glen Johnson RBR

He doesn't load up. He is busier than Froch, but his punches aren't as snappy.

...and he fought at a high level up until his early forties. Now, at 43, he's a joke with no semblance of the ability he'd retained until even a year and a half ago.

 

Right then.


Just rematch DeGale, all sorted.

 

Round 10

Groves is shaking his arms at his sides, trying to quickly turn when Johnson punches. Johnson manages to land a jab to the stomach and follow through with a cross to the chin. Groves takes it without issue. Groves keeps moving around Johnson and flurrying. Body shots mixed in by Groves. Johnson is plodding, and plodding...sometimes chopping, and usually missing.

10-9 Groves

100-90 Groves

 

Round 11

Groves whips out a lead right around Johnson's guard and then scurries off. Johnson follows him to the ropes, but Groves springs up with a 1-2. Left hook by Groves. High clapping right by Groves. Johnson is unable to keep out the head shots with his immobile guard, and isn't shifting his head an inch, keeping his spine stiff and upper body inert. Groves circles either way and shoots long jabs out, trying to bypass Johnson's gloves. Right chop by Johnson while trying to walk Groves into the ropes, but a flurry sets him free. Left hook by Groves while turning Johnson, ducking as he backs far out of reach and back into a circling rhythm. Long 1-2 by Groves missing, and Johnson tries to time him with a right hand. Groves nicks the body while ducking.

10-9 Groves

110-99 Groves

 

I think for a Yank my knowledge of the UK domestic boxing scene is serviceable. I'm not too fussed over the gaffe.

 

Round 12

Groves is slicing at the body and clapping big ambidextrous shots up top. Johnson's head is getting dented as he barely raises his arms to defend and only limits Groves slightly even when he does. Looping rights score whenever Groves wants them to. Johnson is standing pat, not punching back. BIG RIGHT HAND by Groves, and Johnson stumbles backward. Ruled a knockdown!

10-8 Groves

120-107 Groves

 

The Fonfara loss was a less embarrassing note on which to end his career than this. :-(

The moral of the story: get greedy, bow out on a knockdown. (albeit a controversial one, in classic Johnson style)