R1- Degale 10-9 R2- Groves 10-9, 19-19 R3- 10-10, 29-29 R4- Groves 10-9, Groves 39-38 R5- Groves 10-9, Groves 49-47 R6- Degale 10-9, Groves 58-57 R7- Groves 10-9, Groves 68-66 R8- Groves 10-9, Groves 78-75 R9- Degale 10-9, Groves 87-85 R10- Groves 10-9, Groves 97-94 R11- Degale 10-9, Groves 106-104 R12- Degale 10-9, Groves 115-114 Very tight fight that could have gone the other way. Even though I scored the fight for Groves I still think Degale lost the fight more than Groves won it. Degale needed to let his hands go more, his punches definitely appeared to have more effect. Groves really didn't seem that heavy handed in this fight. Groves probably does make the punches look more spiteful than they are though, he sways with the punches and loses balance a fair bit. I have to say Groves is a much more confident and complete fighter now. The only attribute that he has declined with is his speed but he more than makes up for it with the power he had added. He was quite lean back then and has put on plenty of mass. He was really timid against Degale but never paid the price because Degale wanted to box too much, and never really pressed Groves much. When Degale did press him, Groves looked vulnerable, this is something I think he has probably improved with over the years because Degales pressure wasn't consistent at all and it was effective when he did it. Groves looked much better when he was opening up on the front foot, and thats when he was having most of his success. Groves does fight on the front foot a fair bit more than he used to and I think he still looks better now when he's doing it, when he's backing up and blokes are pressing him these days he has more tools in his bag to deal with it, his body punching and clinching is effective and he looks more comfortable mixing it up on the inside. It's only when he's being too defensive his vulnerabilites come back. Groves isn't that difficult to hit to be honest, almost every fight he gets marked up.
I had Degale nicking it, but wouldn't argue too strongly either way, though I think there should have been a rematch. However, I think Groves knew he got a bit lucky and didn't fancy an immediate one, then once Degale won the world title he wouldn't consider giving Groves a shot because Groves didn't give him one. Groves isn't quite as quick these days and has had a lot of wars. I'm also wondering how strong he is at the weight. On the other hand, his power is still there and he is very clever and very experienced, plus seems to have improved on his stamina situation.
Ï had it a draw but hoped Groves win (Degale is such a clown). Pretty much a model example why judges should give more draw-decisions in price fighting.
How can he have added more mass to his frame if he's still at 168? Especially as you said he was leaner back then...so he can't have added any muscle if he used to be leaner as he would be heavier due to both muscle and fat gain.
He is obviously just a much bigger 168lber, he looked the same size as Degale back then and now he's the same size as Badou Jack was when he fought Degale. Jack was noticeably bigger than Degale but wasn't bigger than Groves. Groves must be cutting much more weight now than he did when he was younger.
