Eubank Sr on Froch-Groves II

Former WBO king Chris Eubank was involved in his share of rematches in his 90s career, so knows what Carl Froch and George Groves are feeling amid their highly anticipated rematch on May 31.

"I was involved in as many world title rematches as anyone ever, equal with Sugar Ray Robinson and one more than (Muhammad) Ali, and all were European rivalries.

"So I might be the best to ask for regarding a prediction for this (Froch-Groves II) and looking at the fighters psyches!"

Eubank feels Froch underestimated Groves last time out.

"It's strange because when I fought a man more than once, I always did better in the first fight than the second fight, because my superiority would cause the opponent to go away and prepare even harder and myself to take the foot off the pedal, knowing I already had the measure of the man.

"But Groves humiliated the champion last time out, though he didn't win, and now the champion may come back with the eye of the tiger, having already possibly underprepared, as in psychologically as much or more than physically."

Is Eubank surprised at the public demand for their second fight?

"Not at all. The champions and even the contenders fight once every six months in this day and age, so when the fights finally come along, the public don't want to miss them.

"They've became niche events for young male sports fans. And of course, controversy is great for boxing, (it's) what keeps it ticking. Without controversy, boxing would go under.

"And there was great controversy when the referee stopped the last fight for no apparent reason with three and a bit rounds to go and Groves supposedly a mile ahead on points.

"It's what drew 16 million viewers on ITV for my second fight with Michael Watson, because every celebrity out there was suggesting it was a robbery the first time around.

"That night we sold 25,000 tickets at £75 a head when the average wage packet was £100 a week, when they could so easily have watched for free."

Technically, can Froch out-box Groves and, physically, can Groves stop or last 12 with Froch?

"Froch out-boxed Groves in the first round before walking onto a right hand at the end of it. So yes he can out-box him with the rangey, angled jab, but what he can't do is cross his feet into right hands with his chin out to dry!

"Anybody can be knocked out, even me! This is human fact. A well-trained professional boxer should be able to strike with at least a tonne of force. So either of them can be knocked out or stopped before the end of the 12th round."

Ultimately, who will come out victorious?

"In the back of Groves' mind, he must be thinking, 'I hit this guy with everything I had, and the guy kept coming after me.' I couldn't have rematched Henry Wharton, knowing he would spend 12 rounds bruising my body and head.

"He has felt the strength of Froch and knows Froch can hurt him. In that sense it is similar to me against Ray Close the second time. Groves must be commended greatly for taking this fight when he could've gone other routes to titles.

"If Groves has improved in the six months between the fights, it might be tilted in his favour. He's still young and probably making improvements. Froch won't be getting any better at age 36.

"In that respect, if it goes the distance, Groves would win. If Groves hasn't improved and Froch is more focussed to not make amateurish mistakes with his positioning, you would lean towards Froch on the evidence of the first fight."