I agree that a loss or win to Kessler would probably be viewed how you say. I always felt that Ward beat a faded Kessler and Froch beat an even more faded version. I just dont know how Groves is since his losses to Froch. Many fighters never seem right after a loss and I wonder how it has affected Groves?
it aint the losses , it was the beating he took in the first fight and the brutal ko in the second have aged groves both physically and mentally imo , i said it stright after the fight then again after the rebrasse fight he just dont look the same , old man ish almost :yep
Possibly The first time Froch and Groves fought, I favoured Groves to win, thinking he would outbox Froch and land big shots, which he did for the most part. I thought the stoppage was too soon, but had that feeling that after a loss that Groves may not be the same and did a thread on it, even though it did seem Groves had an arguement first time around. Sure enough Groves wasnt as aggressive and was genuinely beaten in the return. A loss just gets to certain fighters. Look at Lacy and Bute at SMW. With the Rebrasse fight, I wondered if Groves was trying to prove to himself that the loss hadnt got to him, and put in a high workrate performance? It was a decent comeback opponent, but I do think that SMW is not as strong as it was a few years ago at the moment
So where's the big news? Groves v Degale 2(or 3) would "eclipse what i done last year" yes George but staying on your feet for 12 v Dirrell (unlikely) would eclipse what you done last year so thats not saying too much,I was honestly expecting Dirrell or Degale fight to be announced today.How can their be a semi final of smw division without Ward or Froch?