Opinion on the Froch v Groves fight?

George Groves was clearly hurt and looked like he was at the start of being on his way out, but that was still a very premature stoppage. The referee gave him no chance whatsoever. This referee got involved too often, breaking them prematurely instead of allowing them to fight on the inside, and he stopped the fight too soon. Referees who are too quick to jump in to break fighters are often the ones who also jump in prematurely to stop it, because they are jittery guys who can't calmly select their moments to intercede, but rather are itching to jump in there and get involved. This is what happens when boxing consistently chooses the wrong guys to work fights. Promoters and fight camps bring it on themselves by accepting guys who don't belong.

Regardless, Froch has to be given a lot of credit for scoring the come from behind victory against a very good opponent. Groves dropped and hurt him in the 1st round with a solid right (a punch that practically could not miss) and had Froch befuddled and out of sorts, looking relatively slow, sloppy, and old, but the experience, grit, condition, and power came through for him in the end. He had to gut this one out against a skilled, fast, and strong guy.

Despite the common one-sided view about this fight, I saw Froch gradually coming on starting from the 5th round, and you could see that Groves was also gradually slowing down and being more and more affected by Froch's blows. So you have to give Froch credit despite the referee's acts. I do not think Groves was going to finish that fight on his feet, even if the referee had not stopped it prematurely. And it isn't easy to score a come-from-behind win after you have been hurt and dropped by a skillful, fast, and strong guy. Due credit must be given. When it was stopped, Groves was badly wilting at that point, and he could no longer take the punches.

The person most hurt by the stoppage was Froch, who was denied the opportunity to finish him off properly. Groves got saved a lot of brain cells and damaging punishment which surely was on its way, and now has the press and fan momentum for a rematch without having been soundly knocked out. So the way I see it, he should be thanking the referee for preventing the coup de gras.

 

Interesting to see you care about today's boxing too. A friend of mine from america is only interested in boxing from the old days. Maybe until Larry Holmes but that's about it. I think he probably never saw a Pacquiao or Mayweather fight and I talk to him on the phone sometimes and I always realise he really doesn't care about the last 20/30 years of boxing. But bring up Tunney or Dempsey or Schmeling and he will talk forever.
And since you seem to be so interested and specialised in the old boxing days, I thought maybe you also do not care about today's boxing, but - it looks I was wrong.

 

What is the big deal-except in the UK.These two fought to see who is the best in the UK,not the world.Ward owns either of these two.Good domestic dust up,that I understand but don't get carried away as we all know who is the SMW champ of the world and neither one of these two qualifies.

 

I dont think anyone has suggested that Ward is not the clear standout fighter at the weight. I think that, judging from there respective recent performances, I would sooner watch Froch and Groves though.

 

The ref interfered in the outcome of the fight. He made himself the ultimate factor in the outcome. However, as much as everyone is saying Groves was robbed well it is equally true that Froch was possibly robbed of a KO.. Would Groves have survived? there is reason to believe he wouldn't, and equal belief he would.

Too much anti Froch sentiment when it wasn't his fault the ref did an absolutely awful job.

Groves is also getting too much credit for a victory, and its assumed he would've made it to 12, let alone out of the 9th. A rematch is in order on this one.

 

I think every Howard foster fight should be scored again

He is a dirty ref

 

I thought it was a really good fight until the stoppage, which I think was terrible. Round 6 was especially good. Groves was really impressive in this fight. The way he both out-boxed and backed up and hurt Froch. You don't see that very often. Froch was as I would expect against a guy who fought like Groves. He looked slow, lacking in defense and technique/skill, hurt, worried and bewildered at first but impressively tough. Then his natural fighters instinct came through and he fought back with all he had. I'm not one of those people who claims to be able to see into alternate realities and knows what would have happened if the ref hadn't jumped in. What I do know is Groves was winning wide on my scorecard. Froch in need of KD's or a KO.

 

Stupid post

 

The big deal is it was a great fight. The rematch would likely be a great fight. Boxing fans usually enjoy seeing great fights.

 

One sided fight - Frotch's speed and lack of defence was exposed by a younger skilled boxer.

Everyone knows Groves is the better fighter, paying off the ref and judges didn't help.

 

Froch was same old Froch BUT Groves.

I was truely amazed!

Much better than I originally thought.

I was one of those guys who said he is borderline bum(ye I know it is stupid and childish).

But his chin still betrayed him, granted he took some big shots...

But what a fight. Both went ouf of their shields.:thumbsup

 

It was going the same way as the Taylor fight, fast start for groves, stronger second half showing from Froch. I think the ref robbed Froch as he would of KO'd Groves had he let it continue any longer.

Instead Groves comes off looking hard done by and Froch given a gift.

Win win for George Groves.

 

Anyone else here who had flashbacks about David Haye when Groves was putting a show against Froch there.

Heh, he looked like Mini Haymaker there with great jab.:good

 

:deal