You are right there is definitely a massive misconception by many that skills and good footwork relate to flashy movements. Like those who always said Khan had better ring IQ and skills than Brook, load of rubbish. One of the most skillful British boxers I have ever seen was Scott Harrison in his prime. Now many people would say he had limited skills but anyone who can cut off a ring the way he did, often without throwing much is highly skilled. Something GGG is great at but does not get talked about enough. That is a much better skill than dancing around the ring without much purpose.
I say groves by a good bit but I am a big fan of his so slightly biased. both top fighters but groves leathered Froch pretty handily in the first fight until the terrible stoppage (still haunts me!). That for me cements him as a real top level fighter. I’m also a massive mayweather fan boy. After the degale v jack fight (I think) Floyd gets in the ring and basically rips degale, James just stands there star struck, he should have leathered Floyd. I lost interest in degale after that.
One thing I do think we missed out was a rematch in their later years. Even past prime it would have been a decent watch (ala Khan / Brook) but there was a gap (small admittedly) when Groves beat Chudinov and Degale was still champion that they could have had a unification fight, which I think would have probably made them both good money. Degale definitely didn’t earn loads after that, losing to Truax, regaining, vacating and losing to Jr. I’d be curious about what Groves earned in WBSS, I’m guessing he got a few quid, but i think they’d have managed 7 figures comfortably in a rematch with 2 world titles on the line.
Groves had the better career and was a smidge better fighter overall, though they were basically the same level.
As someone alluded to, Groves probably had some more good wins in him whereas Degale was only going to get hurt if he carried on. Groves battered Eubank not long before Degale was manhandled by him. Didn’t the judges have him leading Callum Smith before the stoppage too. I didn’t agree with that one though. Such a bittersweet night in MAnchester when he destroyed Froch and the ref robbed us of an answer. I still don’t think he was even 1/4 as hurt as Froch had been numerous times in that fight and the ref liking posts about round stoppages still stinks to me. Definitive loss in the second fight but he was winning that for me and the Yank media not the corrupt British ones. Still to this day I don’t understand why he hooked then. Absolutely no need and it allowed the Hail Mary booom! Groves was brilliant against Murray and disastrously Eddie G and Cox on hIs run with Shane. All fights he was expected to win though but at the time they were seen as quite close by some and he had huge pressure from himself and others at this point. I was at the Echo for when Degale battered a good domestic fighter Paul Smith. He was really good that night and Smith barely laid a glove. His Dirrell win was good and much more convincing than Froch’s. I had both men beating Jack and they both showed some heart on them nights. I warmed to Degale as his career went on as he became less of a dick head. I always remember his shock when the cameras went on him at a fight he was watching and he actually received some decent applause and not boos. I don’t think you can be that bad if you’re quite pally with Liam Smith/Stephen Smith. The likes of them wouldn’t take that bull**** so it must have been a bit of an act. It was sad how bad Degale become and still very young too. Groves for me as his jab and right hand were superb and I loved the young explosive version. The boxer puncher style with nice straight shots was just so pleasing on the eye for me. Degales style was ok and you could see the talent but as people say he took just too much time off and I don’t think his style was as good in the pros. The lack of respect Groves gave Froch was a breath of fresh air as I think it’s exactly what he deserved and needed. The fact he has a win over Degale and we had a great unplanned night, morning and into the afternoon celebrating that means he has to take it for me. Bit of a rambling post.
DeGale. Won ympic Gold, thought he beat Hroves when they fought unlucky against Jack beat Dirrell etc. Groves beat Eubank Jr and nearly beat Froch then he got out at right time which will mean he's remembered better. DeGale ruined his legacy a bit with looking so bad vs. Train and Eubank jr at the end of his career.
