Interesting pro-Groves piece

[WestEndRiot]

Cheers, since that is after the fight am I right to presume theres a full preview as well as the poll?

[Glyn Leach]

Indeed sir

[dsimpson]

Cheers, since that is after the fight am I right to presume theres a full preview as well as the poll?

The BM issue is a must-buy, the articles in there on this fight are fantastic. The poll makes interesting reading too! This article was never a slight on the BM poll, just a look at the shift in opinion towards DeGale. Thanks for all the positive comments guys

[Glyn Leach]

Cheers, since that is after the fight am I right to presume theres a full preview as well as the poll?

The BM issue is a must-buy, the articles in there on this fight are fantastic. The poll makes interesting reading too! This article was never a slight on the BM poll, just a look at the shift in opinion towards DeGale. Thanks for all the positive comments guys

Didn't take it as a slight in any way fella, just clarifying who was polled — and thanks for the kind words. Keep up the good work.

[dsimpson]

Cheers, since that is after the fight am I right to presume theres a full preview as well as the poll?

The BM issue is a must-buy, the articles in there on this fight are fantastic. The poll makes interesting reading too! This article was never a slight on the BM poll, just a look at the shift in opinion towards DeGale. Thanks for all the positive comments guys

Didn't take it as a slight in any way fella, just clarifying who was polled — and thanks for the kind words. Keep up the good work.

Nice one, thanks Glyn.

[dondada]

Yes I noticed that Glyn, thought you should have polled the BM staff too, why not. I imagine you tried to get hold of Paul Smith to ask him too ? Be interesting to hear his take on it.

Looking forward to seeing more of the same for the Haye/Wlad fight - a poll like that will come down about 75-25 for Wlad I reckon. Will it be you or GH doing the preview ?

I think the angle for this one was that it was exclusively a poll of trainers, MW.

I look forward to being embarrassed in any future staff polls as I'm a terrible picker.

Harrison to beat Haye is one of my favourite Ian picks....

I think the expensive claret is clouding your memory, old chum. I ACTUALLY went for Haye, though I thought Audley would run and hold to points. You just couldn't wait to drop me in it with Haye by telling him I thought Audley had a chance.

The proof is there online...any more and I'll have to look into a super injunction about this matter

[doctorboxing]

Harrison to beat Haye is one of my favourite Ian picks....

I think the expensive claret is clouding your memory, old chum. I ACTUALLY went for Haye, though I thought Audley would run and hold to points. You just couldn't wait to drop me in it with Haye by telling him I thought Audley had a chance.

The proof is there online...any more and I'll have to look into a super injunction about this matter

http://news.boxrec.com/news/2010/haye-v ... redictions

Only 1 out of 21 went for Harrison. About half predicted a stoppage inside 3 rounds.

If we do this for Groves-DeGale, I would expect a much more mixed bag but still definitively in DeGale's favour.

[dondada]

If we do this for Groves-DeGale, I would expect a much more mixed bag but still definitively in DeGale's favour.

That's a good idea Doc...

[Scottrf]

It was a landslide in the latest Boxing Monthly.

That's the first 2 sentences of the article.

[Asterix]

If we do this for Groves-DeGale, I would expect a much more mixed bag but still definitively in DeGale's favour.

That's a good idea Doc...

Please do. They're always interesting.

[Dan Dares]

Good article.

[coghaugen11]

I believe Groves is tougher, smarter and of sounder, stronger mind. Physically, DeGale is more athletic and has more punching power. He's also flashier.

But Groves has had better sparring and better fights. Paul Smith lost to Steve Bendall (who Barker destroyed) before moving up, and nearly lost against Tony Quigley and a shot Dodson. DeGale is coming up to 26 years old, Groves was 22 a month or so ago and has more experience.

In their amateur fight a couple of years ago, George cleanly won 3 out of 4 rounds (rounds, 1, 3 and 4) as clear as day - moving his upper body on the way in, pressuring well and not throwing unless he knew he was hitting. His punches just looked shorter and more accurate that DeGale's, more compact and harder to read. DeGale showed his power a few times in R2, but apart from that couldn't handle George's superiorities in technique, concentration and determination.

It's Groves who'd of naturally improved more since their amateur fight, too. At an age where he'd of strengthened physically.

I think most factors point to Groves. My pick.

[JC]

Frankie Gavin is picking DeGale, interestingly he says he reckons James has a good chin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_-bLs6R ... ture=feedu

[charlieb]

if the piece is on george groves why is there an effing great big image of my bald patch???????

[Camcas]

I believe Groves is tougher, smarter and of sounder, stronger mind. Physically, DeGale is more athletic and has more punching power. He's also flashier.

But Groves has had better sparring and better fights. Paul Smith lost to Steve Bendall (who Barker destroyed) before moving up, and nearly lost against Tony Quigley and a shot Dodson. DeGale is coming up to 26 years old, Groves was 22 a month or so ago and has more experience.

In their amateur fight a couple of years ago, George cleanly won 3 out of 4 rounds (rounds, 1, 3 and 4) as clear as day - moving his upper body on the way in, pressuring well and not throwing unless he knew he was hitting. His punches just looked shorter and more accurate that DeGale's, more compact and harder to read. DeGale showed his power a few times in R2, but apart from that couldn't handle George's superiorities in technique, concentration and determination.

It's Groves who'd of naturally improved more since their amateur fight, too. At an age where he'd of strengthened physically.

I think most factors point to Groves. My pick.

Not sure that Groves has had better sparring, Degale has sparred Barker and Cleverly both of who i think would beat Dirrell. The amateur fight none of the rounds were clearly won they were tight and it could really have gone either way. You just seem to be looking at it the most positive way for Groves possible

[mickey1975]

I believe Groves is tougher, smarter and of sounder, stronger mind. Physically, DeGale is more athletic and has more punching power. He's also flashier.

But Groves has had better sparring and better fights. Paul Smith lost to Steve Bendall (who Barker destroyed) before moving up, and nearly lost against Tony Quigley and a shot Dodson. DeGale is coming up to 26 years old, Groves was 22 a month or so ago and has more experience.

In their amateur fight a couple of years ago, George cleanly won 3 out of 4 rounds (rounds, 1, 3 and 4) as clear as day - moving his upper body on the way in, pressuring well and not throwing unless he knew he was hitting. His punches just looked shorter and more accurate that DeGale's, more compact and harder to read. DeGale showed his power a few times in R2, but apart from that couldn't handle George's superiorities in technique, concentration and determination.

It's Groves who'd of naturally improved more since their amateur fight, too. At an age where he'd of strengthened physically.

I think most factors point to Groves. My pick.

Not sure that Groves has had better sparring, Degale has sparred Barker and Cleverly both of who i think would beat Dirrell. The amateur fight none of the rounds were clearly won they were tight and it could really have gone either way. You just seem to be looking at it the most positive way for Groves possible

You think Barker and Clev would beat Dirrell? Based on what exactly?

[charlieb]

I believe Groves is tougher, smarter and of sounder, stronger mind. Physically, DeGale is more athletic and has more punching power. He's also flashier.

But Groves has had better sparring and better fights. Paul Smith lost to Steve Bendall (who Barker destroyed) before moving up, and nearly lost against Tony Quigley and a shot Dodson. DeGale is coming up to 26 years old, Groves was 22 a month or so ago and has more experience.

In their amateur fight a couple of years ago, George cleanly won 3 out of 4 rounds (rounds, 1, 3 and 4) as clear as day - moving his upper body on the way in, pressuring well and not throwing unless he knew he was hitting. His punches just looked shorter and more accurate that DeGale's, more compact and harder to read. DeGale showed his power a few times in R2, but apart from that couldn't handle George's superiorities in technique, concentration and determination.

It's Groves who'd of naturally improved more since their amateur fight, too. At an age where he'd of strengthened physically.

I think most factors point to Groves. My pick.

Not sure that Groves has had better sparring, Degale has sparred Barker and Cleverly both of who i think would beat Dirrell. The amateur fight none of the rounds were clearly won they were tight and it could really have gone either way. You just seem to be looking at it the most positive way for Groves possible

You think Barker and Clev would beat Dirrell? Based on what exactly?

Dirrell would see them both off, handily imo.

[freddydoesdallas]

I badgered half of Manchester into picking Big Aud'. Then I went for Haye by KO. One prediction by yourself, another by proxy. All the rage down our way.

That's why Betfair is brilliant!

[Roars Like Me]

I don't suppose this draws any similarties to Benn v Watson does it?
It may be just my stupid mind but Benn was heavily favoured (to be fair he was a ko artist) and the odds are heavily stacked for DeGale as they were for Benn. DeGale is almost expected to go in there and knock him out and that's that. Such is his confidence and if DeGale had any hair, he'd be no doubt getting extensions put in prior to the fight a la Benn.

Juts a thought D

[MightyWarrior]

I don't suppose this draws any similarties to Benn v Watson does it?
It may be just my stupid mind but Benn was heavily favoured (to be fair he was a ko artist) and the odds are heavily stacked for DeGale as they were for Benn. DeGale is almost expected to go in there and knock him out and that's that. Such is his confidence and if DeGale had any hair, he'd be no doubt getting extensions put in prior to the fight a la Benn.

Juts a thought D

Yes, but it's the other way round: Groves is Benn, the wide open banger with a less than granite jaw, and DeGale is Watson, the smart boxer with a cool head and excellent defence. I think the results gonna be similar too.

[Roars Like Me]

I don't suppose this draws any similarties to Benn v Watson does it?
It may be just my stupid mind but Benn was heavily favoured (to be fair he was a ko artist) and the odds are heavily stacked for DeGale as they were for Benn. DeGale is almost expected to go in there and knock him out and that's that. Such is his confidence and if DeGale had any hair, he'd be no doubt getting extensions put in prior to the fight a la Benn.

Juts a thought D

Yes, but it's the other way round: Groves is Benn, the wide open banger with a less than granite jaw, and DeGale is Watson, the smart boxer with a cool head and excellent defence. I think the results gonna be similar too.

Indeed but in terms of being an overwhelming favourite and expected to win, that's on DeGales's shoulders, Groves may find him out as did Watson

[coghaugen11]

I believe Groves is tougher, smarter and of sounder, stronger mind. Physically, DeGale is more athletic and has more punching power. He's also flashier.

But Groves has had better sparring and better fights. Paul Smith lost to Steve Bendall (who Barker destroyed) before moving up, and nearly lost against Tony Quigley and a shot Dodson. DeGale is coming up to 26 years old, Groves was 22 a month or so ago and has more experience.

In their amateur fight a couple of years ago, George cleanly won 3 out of 4 rounds (rounds, 1, 3 and 4) as clear as day - moving his upper body on the way in, pressuring well and not throwing unless he knew he was hitting. His punches just looked shorter and more accurate that DeGale's, more compact and harder to read. DeGale showed his power a few times in R2, but apart from that couldn't handle George's superiorities in technique, concentration and determination.

It's Groves who'd of naturally improved more since their amateur fight, too. At an age where he'd of strengthened physically.

I think most factors point to Groves. My pick.