George Groves interview in Ring Magazine

Just read what I thought was a very interesting, honest, and inciteful interview by George Groves on The Ring website

Carl Froch is one of those fighters than fans were reluctant to rate too highly because of his many obvious technical flaws. But, he just kept on winning largely through belief, determination, and relentlessness (and being able to outclass 2nd tier SMWs). He always has amazed me how he was able to overcome what appear to be really fundamental technical issues: super low left hand/poor defense of chin, squaring up his feet, winging punches, etc. I thought it was really interesting to hear Groves talk about exploiting those weaknesses.

I'm also struck by how much more cerebral Groves is than your average boxer. Certainly comes across far more on the ball than Froch. He's made a fan of me with his in-fight and post-fight actions. Apologies for another Froch-Groves type thread, but I think the interview is worth a read.

I do laugh when people say Froch has only beaten 2nd tier fights, presumably only Ward is a top tier 168lber then.

So he was going to clinch Froch at the time of stoppage? Unless he's trying to come in from the side, sounds like a load of hogwash. But otherwise, he does himself no harm in that interview.

Hammersmith harrier wrote:I do laugh when people say Froch has only beaten 2nd tier fights, presumably only Ward is a top tier 168lber then.

That's not what I said at all. I said he managed to outbox 2nd tier fighters. For example, he was able to outbox AA without brawling. He's obviously technically good enough to do that to a certain level of boxer. For technically better boxers he relies on relentless pressure - e.g. Dirrell, Groves, Taylor. The point I'm making is that Froch has a number of clear technical flaws, but somehow manages to make the best out of what he does have. Boxing websites were reluctant to rate him in the p4p charts for a long time, and I think it was because he doesn't look technically good. Of course, he then goes and beats everyone of note aside from a special fighter in Andre Ward, and it forced people to rank him. I've always found it surprising how no one up until Groves (aside from Ward) could really expoit what seem to me like obvious deviations from boxing fundamentals. It was interesting to hear GG talk about it here.

ive always been a groves fan, I am pleased he is gaining more support from the great british public

Never seen anyone leave a fight he was probably about to lose with so much goodwill

How can you say he had technical flaws?

He outboxed AA, a former undefeated power punching world champion.

He also outjabbed and outboxed Kessler in the rematch. Again, Kessler is a former undefeated World Champion is by no means Second Tier.

Carl froch has beaten everyone out there apart from Ward

Kessler, Dirrell, Taylor, Abraham, Mack, Groves, Bute, Johnson, Pascal......thats an amazing list to be honest!!!

mobilemaster8 wrote:How can you say he had technical flaws?

He outboxed AA, a former undefeated power punching world champion.

He also outjabbed and outboxed Kessler in the rematch. Again, Kessler is a former undefeated World Champion is by no means Second Tier.

Carl froch has beaten everyone out there apart from Ward

Kessler, Dirrell, Taylor, Abraham, Mack, Groves, Bute, Johnson, Pascal......thats an amazing list to be honest!!!

He's clearly effective. No doubts there. But, even to my non-expert eyes, he does things that are widely accepted as flaws. He carries his left far too low and uses his chin to block - and he's not someone with crazy reflexes that can get away with this - although his ridiculous chin helps enormously. He squares up when attacking - something you'd never see a boxing technician do. He throws combos by winging wide punches and bullrushing opponents.

Am I in the minority thinking this? I thought this would be the commonly held opinion. To me, Froch is one of the most technically poor, or at least, aesthetically poor, elite boxers there is. The fact that he is at the top level is a huge testament to his heart, conditioning, and mindset. People seem to be misinterpreting this as me bashing Froch. I'm not. He's top level. He's in my p4p list. But, I've watched all his major fights, and he makes more fundamental errors than any other top guy I can think of. Groves is the first person I've seen other than Ward that could exploit them in a really effective way.

I've heard that Groves doesn't really want a rematch. He is no longer contracted to Hearn and will look to sign with Warren and go the WBO route against Steiglitz.

No, you're not in the minority boxthis. I think that's a common view. I think he's a little awkward which makes him look more limited than he actually is, but I think a lot of us were continually surprised at his ability to beat guys who looked better than him, to a point where it was no longer a surprise.

He's awkward, rangy and tough as old boots with enough boxing skills to handle brawlers and enough grit, strength and resilience to grind the boxers down.