Behind the Scenes of Groves Degale

The_Daddy · May 26, 2011

with Dave Coldwell

Well, what a weekend we had at team Hayemaker!

I have to say that the atmosphere, build up and occasion on fight night for George Groves versus DeGale in no way seemed consistent with just a British and Commonwealth title fight.

It was an event that had more attention and interest than a lot of world title fights. At the weigh in on Friday, the atmosphere was great, the fans turned out to show their support and the people who work in the sport were genuinely excited to see the two fighters come face-to-face for the last time before they were in the ring on fight night.

George couldnt have been anymore relaxed as we made our way to the O2 for the weigh-in with myself, Adam Booth, and David Nicolosi. On a couple occasions, as we stood in traffic, people were waving at George from their cars and shouting good luck messages at him. It was surreal.

When the two fighters came head-to-head, it became evident to both Adam and myself that there was no way George was going to let DeGale or the occasion get to him. You can see boxers really confident and on the ball, and then sometimes they can doubt themselves once it comes to such a high profile weigh-in like the one on Friday. But Groves was calm and collected with that touch of steel about himself. He was the same George Groves that we had hoped and expected for.

Usually, when Im involved with a fighter, in a big fight, or a routine matchup, I get really nervous on the inside. In fact, the only time previously that I was calm and totally relaxed was before the Ryan Rhodes-Jamie Moore fight. As the fight drew closer and closer I just knew that Ryan was going to win. I felt exactly the same for this fight. The closer it got, the more George carried himself in a manner where I totally believed that he would follow Adams instructions and not let DeGale, or the occasion, distract him from the game plan.

I was a little surprised when some of the pundits were trying to second guess Georges train of thought and came to the conclusion that he looked tense and nervous etc. I really dont think anyone can make that assumption with any great confidence unless you are around the boxers themselves and part of the training team as you dont actually know how their minds work.

We all guess how fighters are feeling, but to talk with such conviction that they are not handling the occasion is quite risky and leaves yourself a little open.

Fight day was great. From beginning to end. In the early afternoon George, Adam, myself and Jon Hill (our operations manager for Hayemaker) all went for a walk in the lovely sunny weather. We were really relaxed and had a great laugh and it was so apparent that George was where we needed him to be mentally. We were all looking forward to the night ahead.

The atmosphere at the O2 that night was electric and, again, George was just George. Backstage in our dressing room he was so calm, pretty much how he is in the gym and again, a couple of people who saw him coming into the arena and walking about mentioned to me that he seemed tense and nervous. I dont know if thats because you would expect him to be, but he truly was relaxed and at ease with the whole thing.

The whole dressing room was relaxed. The feeling in the team as we walked out, was one of confidence. We always said if George kept it together emotionally he would win this fight and we knew he was on it.

Jimmy Lennon Jnr giving the introductions just added to how big a fight this was for two boxers that are still at the novice stage really, despite the titles they had already won.

We all know what happened in the fight

But the feeling when the final bell rang and the moments after it are something money cant buy and you just dont forget. At the final bell we all knew George had won, we reacted like we had the winner. We just had to wait for Jimmy to give the verdict of the judges.

But when the words majority decision came out of his mouth, I think collectively as a team we all held our breath! Then the words and still undefeated were spoken we saw DeGale and his trainer Jimmy McDonnell start celebrating and I remember both David Haye and I look at each other and think it wasnt going to go our way we too kind of forgot that both boxers were undefeated!

That pause, a second long or whatever, was the longest pause in the history of pauses!

Then came the words THE SAINT! . And then came the bedlam!!!

I think team Hayemaker were on trampolines judging by the height of our bouncing on the ring canvas! What a feeling that was. The O2 was absolutely rocking too.

Because of the insults and the constant sniping coming Georges way, and the derogatory remarks made towards his trainer Adam Booth the victory was even sweeter.

The useless ugly ginger kid trained by the fitness instructor played Mr Technical and outboxed the Olympic champion, took his British title off him, and became a double champion. While being cheered from the rooftops in a packed arena.

Memories like that are Priceless.
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Great read!

Sogoplayboy · May 26, 2011

Really good read, nice to see him being honest that they also forgot both fighters were undefeated!

Grant1 · May 26, 2011

Loved that, nice one Dave.

harvinmagler · May 26, 2011

Brilliant read.

cheekyvid · May 26, 2011

I'd remove that if I were you mate, you've just copy-pasta'd from BoxingNews and they don't like that. You could get banned dude

achillesthegreat · May 27, 2011

Good read.

Nice swipe and Johnny Nelson but in fairness Groves did look nervous. Lewis looked nervous pre Tyson but hindsight shows he is just a cool customer and Groves might be the same.

Lennons result announcement was ****ing class. No one can say they didn't react funny, hold their breath and that second felt like forever.

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Behind the Scenes of Groves Degale

The_Daddy Member Full Member

Sogoplayboy Active Member Full Member

Grant1 Boxing Junkie Full Member

harvinmagler Boxing Addict Full Member

cheekyvid Detroit, I shall return. Full Member

achillesthegreat FORTUNE FAVOURS THE BRAVE Full Member