Sadly I've given up on Groves. He is extremely talented by doesn't have the mental strength (and possibly chin) to be an elite level fighter. His level his just-above European as shown by his losses at world level. I also think his attitude towards other fighters and their achievements leaves a lot to be desired (criticising Brook for facing GGG). He can't live off his win over DeGale forever, would anyone favor him in the rematch?
I'd fancy him to beat DeGale again mate. I haven't seen any question marks over his chin though. What I would question however, can he psychologically overcome what he's (unintentionally) done to another fighter? The situation would torture anyone with a conscience.
Sadly Groves is doing what too many British fighters have done when coming up short at the highest level, and that is trying to pick up scraps off the weakest belt holders. Pretty embarrassing really after all the talk.
This is true I believe his ego got in the way of the development needed to reach the very top and by top I mean top top not just snatching any strap he can get at
He makes his living through fighting if he loses he misses out on big money for the next 5-10 if he retires . Pointless
Talk of Groves retiring is obviously silly. Lots of talk about Degale being the best in the division and Groves holds a win over him. Plus he is improving. Looks lost when a fighter applies inside pressure but he is improving. My prediction is Groves will pick up the belt against Chudinov, Degale will win a points decision against Badou, Degale and Groves will come together for a mega fight both earning lots of £££££££..........why would he retire?
I mentioned this not long after the fight mate. Things were finally looking up for him after a very good performance after some hard times I as thinking win this WBA and then there's looming rematch unifications at Wembley again. £££ which he deserves because he's been given **** off every corner despite his willingness to fight anyone. Then within minutes he's got this hanging over his head. I feel sorry for him because as you say any remotely decent human would be thinking about almost every hour. How will that manifest itself in the ring? A place where you have to be aggressive wanting to hurt the other person at least temporarily in order to gain an advantage to win. What I'm saying is; is there even a 1% chance he may hold back even 1%? At the highest level in any sport the 1% is difference between glory and defeat.
I actually agree with this entirely. Lost against Froch and Jack but then we are supposed to view a win over Chudinov in the same light as we would have viewed a win over Froch or Jack because it's a world title? No chance. He'll tank Chudinov but until he defends against a legit world level fighter in the same bracket as Froch or Jack it will be a cheapened world title in my book.
I m not sure injuring the boy will affect groves too much in the same sort of way it didnt really affect eubank junior. Their pretty driven individuals. Both can be pretty cold. Saying that i actually like groves. Got the biggest strengths in the division but as we ve seen time and time again its usually paired with big weaknesses as well. Always gonna be a bit vulnerable at the top level. I actually think he should be applauded for challenging froch so early. Again we ve got the i dont like his personality brigade coming out against him. He lost a split away from home against a world champion. In what world would anyone even contemplate retirement at 28 because of it. I actually fancy jack to beat degale and i think groves will beat degale in a rematch. Although i wouldnt be 100 percent confident about the second one. Groves still causes his own problems by trying to exchange in close instead of difusing the situation. I d be more confident if he sorted it out. Should stick to keeping the punches straight with him being vulnerable. As soon as he starts trying to hook with someone i m like here we go.
I would probably agree with you if the fella had woke up and was living even a half normal life that you could be cold about it and put it out your brain, but the fact he's still in a coma and his life is still in the balance really would surely leave a mark. I agree with what you're saying, I couldn't understand so many calls for him to retire 28 after a split decision in America. I'm the same when he starts trading with people and gets caught he always looks very ragged and sloppy which gives the idea he's in trouble and your heart is in your mouth then they clinch and he looks perfectly fine. But as you diffusing the situation would be better.
Unless you're bordering on sociopathic, then it'll affect you big time. There's massive rivalry amongst fighters and other sportsman but when one gets seriously hurt/killed, there is solidarity. It's a reminder of the dangers of their profession. Not only can you inflict that damage, that could easily be you with a bleed on the brain too. A man may never wake up, and if (hopefully when) he does, he'll need support for the rest of his life. That will be tearing him up. He'll be having therapy about it I guarantee it. His Twitter feed went quiet on the 23rd after he thanked people for their donations and was v quiet before then. He even shot down Carl Froch for trying to goad him instead of trying to banter back. I wish him well.
You guys could be right. I think it would affect at least 90 percent of boxers. But i dont think we ll see groves pulling his punches etc. Same way it was business as usual for eubank junior and kovalev. Their just not that type of people. I could be completely wrong in that. But i see groves as being too driven...he ll blame the referee in his mind and get on with the job. Not that i m defending it its just the way some people are. At the end of the day it was groves job to punch the man and win the fight. The responsibility should be on the referee etc to stop it. Actually wish it got more coverage because it could save lives in the future. Lets take it out the hands of guys that bravely try to stay till the end etc. These fights need to be stopped. Same with blackwell horrendous the amount of uppercuts he was allowed to take. They need to tweak the rules of a stoppage. Forget the if hes throwing back hes allright mantra. If theres too much punches taking in accumulation it should be off. They could always come back and fight another day. We d miss some epic comebacks but the sport needs to move on from the i ve paid my money lets see someone fight till their in a coma attitude. Wish gunechkt a speedy recovery...hope the man pulls through. Pretty poor the lack of coverage it had.
You only have to watch the short documentary on YouTube where Kovalev is interviewed to know how that affected him. Apparently he donated his fee from the Chilemba fight to the family of Simakov. Who knows how it's affected Eubank Jn. What we do know is that he isn't as active as usual, fighting only twice this year and his dad seemingly avoiding fights where he could get hurt. It could be argued that his Dad's experience from the Watson fight still affects his judgement to this day. I don't think we can put a statistic on it. I could be wrong, I can only type from my perspective.
Not really, he got laid out by a great champion in a massive event. Young and talented enough to come again, which he's doing.
Yeah he's failed, but he's not exactly embarrassed himself and like I said... he's entering his best years. First Froch fight he was expected to get steam rolled, he didn't and we had the controversial ending. Second fight he was doing well and got hit with a nuclear bomb. 3rd attempt against Jack he dropped a split decision in America. He's already fought the top dogs and unfortunately for him, for being caught with a monster right hand and fighting away from home he's come up short. If he had hung around and looked for the easiest route, he may already be a world champion... but the fact he wanted the quickest routes against Froch & Jack at least tell you he has a set of bollocks. Now the Chudinov opportunity has come up and it's one he has to grab with both hands, he can't come up short this time.