So much for DeGale and Cleverly eh Brits?

Name one American prospect better than Frankie Gavin?

 

How is Groves not considered a top prospect? Everything I've heard people say about him, mentions how excellent a prospect he is. Dirrell said so, He said so, Warren said so, Froch said so - All these guys are touting him as a future world champion. That makes him a top prospect.

Like I said, the person to get found out was Jim McDonnell. You could have the best fighter in the world technically, but technical ability doesn't help someone in an actual fight. They need to learn tactics and how to control a bout. Every fault that DeGale has, could be put down to his poor trainer.

Age is not the issue here, ring experience is. Pro experience is something DeGale doesn't have, so ignore age, it's irrelevant. What is relevant is how quickly these guys progress as a pro and, at the same stage, DeGale was better than Dirrell or Ward. After 10 fights each, DeGale schools Dirrell and him and Ward would be a great fight.

As for their abilities, listen to what Richardson says about the difference between physical ability and technical ability. That defines the difference between Dirrell and DeGale. DeGale isn't overly fast or powerful yet he's an Olympic gold medalist beating good fighters. If you took away Dirrell's hand and foot speed and replaced them with DeGale's, nobody on ESB would know who he is. Why? Because he's fundamentally flawed as a fighter and relies - relies - upon his physical attributes.

 

Anybody cracked this riddle yet?

 

The guy who fought D-Hop? He's a good young fighter but, as they're at the same weight, Gavin would likely shut him out.

 

If DeGale gets himself a top trainer who knows how to handle a top prospect, he dominates Groves. Groves/DeGale are the best two prospects in that division, and I find it hard to remember the last time two prospects as good as they are were matched together at such an early stage of their careers. Groves came into the ring and put in an A* performance with a perfect gameplan. DeGale came in without a solid gameplan, extra pressure to perform (mainly from himself) and performed very poorly but still made it very close. He had Groves shook in the 9th and I had him winning 115-114. DeGale turns up at his best, he schools Groves in Smith like fashion. Mark my words for the rematch. :rasta

 

I'm still pondering it.

 

People were writing him off after the Kenny Anderson fight. Compared to DeGale's win over Paul Smith, who is a better fighter than anyone Dirrell has beaten bar Abraham, it was a night and day.

However, watch Groves against Adamu and tell me he isn't a top prospect. He was a guy knowing for being tough as ****, yet Groves knocked him down three times and stopped him. Something Tsypko, Froch, Grant and more couldn't do. That performance, for a 9 fight veteran, was very impressive. A few fights later and he's beating a hugely touted DeGale and yet you don't consider him a top prospect? Please.

I think your issue here is ignorance. I think this is the first fight you've seen from DeGale and Groves and you're basing them off this one bout.

If Dirrell was as good as you think, he wouldn't have lost to a "caveman" in Froch. In fact, Froch wouldn't have even made the fight close because, as you say, Froch isn't skilled technically. If Dirrell was as good as you think, he wouldn't have taken so many clean shots off Abraham who is PERFECT for Dirrell.

Well, Groves also said that DeGale is a terrific fighter, so if you want to listen to him, then that disproves what you're saying. If, like me, you choose to analyze boxing with your own two eyes, you can see a clear difference in technical ability between a green Dirrell and a green DeGale.

 

Doesn't matter. Gavin is a better boxer and you can tell that from watching them both. The difference in composure is big.

 

The average scores from 15 ESB cards;

Round 1: Degale (14-0-1)
Round 2: Groves (0-15-0)
Round 3: Groves (0-14-1)
Round 4: Groves (0-15-0)
Round 5: Even (6-8-1)
Round 6: DeGale (15-0-0)
Round 7: Groves (1-13-1)
Round 8: Groves (1-10-4)
Round 9: Degale (15-0-0)
Round 10: Groves (0-15-0)
Round 11: Degale (14-0-1)
Round 12: DeGale (12-0-3)

Groves 115-114 Degale

The most contentious round was the 5th, the 7th & 8th were closer than the other 9 rounds which Degale won 5-4

You could justify any result from that fight it was extremely close

Cleverly has never beaten a champion to win a belt & he's wearing a paper trinket which is almost as ridiculous as his bandana

 

I agree. I think it's important that they are judged exactly how they are now - Prospects. Neither man is close to being the best they will be in the future. It's a testament to their abilities though, that so many people are even mentioning them alongside the elite of the division. It also says a lot that they can spar these guys, like Froch and Dirrell, and come through it being praised. Not many prospects can do that.

They'll both develop. Right now, they aren't ready. Give it a few fights and both will be ready for the likes of Sakio Bika, Edison Miranda and then they'll move beyond that point a few fights later.