When I watched it at the time I didn't know too much about Groves other than he had gone life and death with Kenny Anderson in a quite unimpressive manner. DeGale was obviously Olympic Gold medalist and favourite to win. When I watched it, it felt a draw - which 1 judge had it as, the other two to Groves by a razor thin one point margin. Groves a bloody mess at the end. Having seen how their subsequent fights have played out, looking back what surprises me are the two following points: - Groves didn't once hurt DeGale, yet we now know Groves has excellent power - does this mean DeGale's chin is actually a lot better than we thought?? - DeGale who has since been shown to be a light puncher, buzzed Groves up quite badly twice I think. Does this mean Groves' chin is not stellar? Always interesting to review fights with the benefit of hindsight!
I definitely think Groves chin is suspect but I think he wanted to prove he could outbox DeGale, people expected Groves to brawl and look for the ko, I think he wanted to prove he could box. Groves has come on along way, I didn't think he could get to world level back then. DeGale is definitely tougher than people give him credit for imo.
I thought DeGale was absolutely robbed he forced the fight landed the better shots Groves ran for his life flurried played keepaway and received a gift I just figured it was the usual Brit move to reward The white fighter against the brash talkative man of color think Ricky Burns and his gifts, except that fight was much closer.
Not sure it has anything to do with race :huh But I do agree, even the biggest Groves' fans on the planet [if such a person exists!] would struggle to argue it was anything other than a coin toss victory at best. DeGale DEFINITELY hurt Groves a lot more than Groves did DeGale and their faces at the end of the fight were testament to this. Hope they have a rematch at some point in the future ...as Groves loves a rematch
I felt Groves edged a very good technical close fight between two excellent SMWs. I dont think Groves tried to plant his feet and land massive shots against DeGale and was cautious of DeGales skills and boxed to a plan rather than have a war like he did against Froch. I dont think Groves was buzzed either, and both seem to mark up. I bet on Groves to beat DeGale and bet on him to beat Froch. I am not completely sure how good Groves chin is, but after the Froch fight actually think it may have been better than I first thought after the Anderson fight. I dont think Groves was in too much trouble against Froch. I have seen DeGale looking stunned a few times including his fight after Groves. I always felt how Groves/DeGale turned out (being a close fight), was a good result for the SMW scene, as if there had of been a quick KO loss for one of them, that would have always left a mark on the thoughts of the fighter, but because it was a close fight where people have seen it as a fight that could have gone either way, we were still left with 2 great prospects after a great fight, rather than just 1
Quite simply the 2 best fighters at 168 - in 10 years time this fight will be viewed the equivalent of the Jones v Hopkins 1 fight, 2 great fighters fighting each other green. Groves beat Degale in the amateurs by boxing on the back foot, he simply followed the blueprint again. Degale and Groves will both be 168 world champions in the next 18 months.
Amazing to see what the finest of margins can do to your career. De Gale has had to work away rebuilding since then and Groves has gone on to get two world title shots, one probably at a UK record boxing attendance in Wembley.
Except neither Groves or DeGale will resort to PED use, nor will either pull a crybaby face to try and get out of fights. Plus at this stage I find it hard to believe either will be schooled by a fighter from NewBridge, Wales
Groves seemed to fight more cautiously than he typically does. I think his focus on jabbing and throwing combos on the move took away from his power.
Groves did not fight the amateur fight off the back foot. That was bit of a tear up. Still had degale winning that fight as well, would love to know what the points were in that fight.
Mate if booth was not in his corner groves would of gone in and had a tear up. No way in hell would groves had fought of the back foot unless he trusted his coach with his life. Deep down groves wants a shoot out and has to go against his true instincts
I agree. Deglae looked ripe for the taking. a guy with a ko rate of 40% rocked him badly and if the guy had anything would have stopped him.
