Groves and Degale: such short primes

I guess they take more punishment at SMW and add more miles on the clock early because they seem to have more tear ups per career compared to a heavyweight.

Wlad dominated for 11 years but he didnt take much punishment.

He also started 6 years before Froch and finished 3 years after him. I think is quite telling dont you think?

 

They both peaked young. Boxing peaks don't usually last too long, unless as mentioned a fighter is a freak of nature or an enigma. I don't think Degale or Groves are unusual, but both somewhat different. Degale failed to peak and live up to the talent and hope he showed, whereas Groves peaked a bit too soon and it took miles off his clock. Plenty of external and internal factors too in careers, trainers and promoter issues, injuries etc. etc. In short, I don't feel either had unusually brief primes at all.

 

It’s all down to the number of miles on the clock before they won their respective world titles...Plus Degale’s had what I would think is a career ending shoulder injury. Groves ran into a monster at 168.

 

I never thought THAT much of him, but plenty were calling it a stoppage win for Smith before the fight. I'd like to think he went under the radar with me a bit, but I just didn't think that much of him, plenty of my pals called it right saying he was HUGE and too strong for Groves

 

Not sure on that. I know personally as far back as the Rebrasse fight in 2015 I had him earmarked as a future world champion.
He’s a monster at the weight - that alone drew attention but he has KO power and can box too.

Agree that he needs to back it up but he’s lost about a year between delays and stuff but at 28 he’s coming into his prime with very few miles on the clock.
Think of what Groves had been through before he finally picked up the WBA.

 

You just need to look at the man to acknowledge he's a monster. Biggest SMW I can recall. His power cannot be denied, took Fielding out in a round. Quite a few first round KO's on his resume + a stoppage of Groves. He can obviously box too. Unbeaten.

 

Who’s nobody? Some people have been saying it for years including some on here.

He’s 6”3, easily the hardest hitting 168 at the moment and a ruthless finisher.

 

They took more punishment than Joe, maybe partly due to style, opponents or just not being as good as he was. The wars caught up with them.

 

DeGale, injuries and plenty of allegations of not 'living the life'

Groves, well I don't know if he's physically out of his prime as such. But that second Froch KO definitely took something out of him. Big KO's can do that, they can shorten your span.

 

I’ve been a fan of BJS, Fury and Smith for years, especially BJS though...I really enjoy the little subtleties in boxing skills.

Smith was a quality amateur and with the size and devastating finishing was destined to win a world title imo. I was 50/50 about the fight with Groves because I’m a big fan of both fighters, I eventually sided with Groves and was proved wrong with that one.

 

Seriously, dude? I join to conversation with my poor english but cmon you are way off. I remember back in 2013 when he was easily one of the hottest prospects and everyone had high hopes on him. He was stopping solid opponents in 1-2 rounds and got some major hyper with his performances. Everyone was talking about him back then but in long run he wasnt the one to catch peoples emotions. Everyone knew his expectional potential but there wasnt too much talk about it (last couple of years). People were waiting him to step up to world level and now when he did: He is back on everyones lips.

He is not flashy personality or someone media loves to talk about. He easily gets (not anymore) forgotten but everyone who follows the game has known his potential for years.