It's a difficult question and we'll get the answer in the next 12 to 18 months IMO. DeGale for me has more work to do and needs a new trainer, or at least a new approach. Maybe his confidence took a hit and it affected him against the Pole but there was quite a lot of things he seemd to be doing wrong. He simply couldn't fight at range or jab effectively. His defence seemed far too leaky and the head-movement was non-existent. Confidence could be the key for him, and maybe as he grows and that improves he can feel more at ease and produce his best work but I have my doubts. Groves for me has more going for him. He seems to have a better attitude, a better team and a willingness to improve. He seems stronger mentally and with more discipline. For all of DeGale's natural gifts of athleticism and speed, it is Groves who I see becoming the physically and mentally stronger fighter in the next year or so. If Groves can improve his conditioning and technique I think he can outdo DeGale. Both will improve with experience, looking forward to see what they can achieve. :good Groves KO 10 if they fight again :bbb
Groves doesn't have his head up his arse and knows he's got a lot of work to do, he might not be as naturally gifted as DeGale but his head is screwed on better and he has better people around him. DeGale has looked brilliant, average and terrible whereas old Georgeyboy seems to plod along consistently. If Fwank stick the anchors on and DeGale gets more of the basics right then the buture's fright:happy
What's confusing? Groves IS better (as proven by beating DeGale twice) but not much better. Seems a pretty balanced assessment to me.
Eubank's spot on when he talks about Degale. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5Rw9IGkLCI"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5Rw9IGkLCI[/ame] [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PydXSPyUvvE&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PydXSPyUvvE&feature=related[/ame]
There is nothing confusing. Those who disagree that Groves didn't clearly win their fight are obviously biased....
You could argue the other way round and in circles forever. If you had DeGale winning that fight, you were giving him credit for mostly hitting Groves arms. A lot of people have tricked themselves into this James Toney-esque type appreciation for DeGales subtle skills. In fact they are so subtle you cant see them. So subtle that, maybe, they didnt actually happen. It was a close fight I had Groves by a round. But anyone seriously arguing that DeGale definitely won is dreaming. Groves landed the better shots and controlled the pace of the fight. Anyway, you quoted my posts trying to suggest I was contradicting myself and I wasnt. I believe Groves won a close fight, just as their amateur fight was close. They are obviously similar levels of fighter, but I believe Groves is a bit better, on account of yknow, beating DeGale. Just a small thing that,
Dave, Don't even get me started on who won their amateur fightyep When there is not much action, I usually side with the aggressor. You certainly don't score for taking punches on the gloves. You could say Groves got rounds because he done better than expected. I had DeGale by 1 and no I'm not dreaming
But youre not stating it DEFINITIVELY surely. I understand a draw or a point the other way, but some of the pro-DeGale scores are hilarious. Ive seen 8-4, 9-3 and even one joker with a 10-2. People see what they want to see, I think. The amateur bout was close it was whether you preferred DeGales activity (a lot of which missed) or Groves quality (but the volume was lower).
It was a very close fight and anyone with a runaway scorecard is clueless. I also think using the fight to illustrate one's dominance over the other isn't too smart either Now I said don't get me started on the amateur fight but the quality was from DeGale imo. The round I gave to Groves was because of his output!:yep Still it just shows how we have our own preference in how we judge a fight.:good
You allow someone to dictate the tempo, which De Gale did in their pro fight, or outhussle you, as he did in their amateur fight, you're asking for trouble, particularly when you go around telling everyone it will be a walk over. De Gale is the one who set the bar so high for himself and failed to live upto it. De Gale is the one who made Groves the good guy, himself the bad guy, so it stands to reason Groves might get the benefit the doubt subconsciously. De Gale fell victim of his own BS
Take Montell Griffin. I dont think he beat James Toney, but I can understand why he got the decision over him, as Toney allowed Griffin to dictate the tempo of the fight, and Griffin had Toney fighting his fight. Groves made De Gale fight his fight and dance to his tune.
And that, fellow posters, is a genuine intangible - mental strength. Groves appears to have it above DeGale.