Ringside - Froch bit

[Andypittcov]

Indeed froch was quite critical of degale. On another note I just love carls mentality towards everything.

[jtourettes]

Has anyone upped it to youtube yet?

[Andypittcov]

Indeed froch was quite critical of degale. On another note I just love carls mentality towards everything.

Degale has all the skills but needs to take a leaf out of Froch's book as his dedication and mentality are top draw

Couldn't agree more

[LeedsLad]

DeGale is probably too arrogant to spar with anyone, they spar with him - if you get me.

Groves probably learned a lot by being bashed up in sparring by Froch (by all accounts) after the Anderson fight and took that forward with him. Instead of being all loose limbed, waving his arms around and dancing he's looked much more compact in his last couple of fights, picking his shots better and having noticeably better footwork.

DeGale still slaps, still gets caught with wild right hooks from orthodox fighters and seems to lack ring intelligence against ''championship class'' opponents.

Despite being ''only'' British champion and DeGale seemingly being ahead as European champion, Groves is much further ahead in his development as a fighter. There's been a greater variety of opponent, fights in different countries/atmospheres, and he looks comfortable.

Unfortunately James has been fed too many opponents that are suited to him and has struggled when the opponent does anything other than stand in front of him throwing few punches.

He has the natural talent but it needs to be nurtered far better than how it is at present. That probably means a change of trainer, and direction too. Rushing him into anything other than a world title fight with a weak champion is going to see him take a bad beating at 168/175lbs. There's too much depth, but Allegedly has invested too much money into him to do anything different.

[Andypittcov]

The comfort zone seems to be the big difference between Degale and Froch.

Degale wants to be in it and Froch wants to be out of it.

[jtourettes]

Has anyone upped it to youtube yet?

It's on the sky sports website

Cheers, Mark.

Link for anybody else interested: http://www.skysports.com/video/inline/0 ... 82,00.html

[Andypittcov]

The comfort zone seems to be the big difference between Degale and Froch.

Degale wants to be in it and Froch wants to be out of it.

I don't doubt that Degale doesn't put himself through ringer when in a training camp but Froch just does everything to the max but does need to lose the macho stuff a bit when in the ring

I actually disliked Froch until a couple of years ago and now he's my favourite fighter. I love the macho stuff and the fact that he wants to get in the trenches to see who's got the bigger will to win(or the bigger nads).
It's his supreme preparation that gives him the confidence so fair play to him.
I like degale , talent wise he's got world champ written all over him but you've got to doubt him a little when you listen to what Carl said.

[Andypittcov]

On a technical level the macho stuff isn't good but I think if you take that away then you've got a different fighter all together. Similar to what we always hear about Wayne Rooney and in taking away his hot head your left with half the player.

[LeedsLad]

I think the macho side is half the thing with Froch.

He thinks he's a bigger puncher than he is, that he's got a better chin than he has, but doesn't rate his own all-round technical ability anywhere near the level where he ought to do. At 34 he's still improving, compared to (say) Hatton who was all but shot at 30 and had regressed technically from 2004/5.

Rooney is slightly different, tempering that aggression would elevate him to the next level. You don't want to take it away per se, but just teach him to know that kicking players after the ball has gone isn't passion/desire, only sheer stupidity. Likewise chasing the referee. I was always taught as a rugby player to talk to the referee, ''yes sir'' ''no sir'' ''thanks for that sir we're knackered and need a breather'' etc etc and to establish a rapport.

Whether it ever made a difference or not I've no idea, but it's definitely preferable to hounding the poor sod and chasing him around the field.

[BelfastBoyo]

If I remember correctly DeGale sparred with Cleverly before his fight with George Groves, don't know why he turned down the opportunity with Froch. Especially since Froch said he offered to put him up in a hotel and pay DeGale to spar him for two weeks.

[Andypittcov]

On a technical level the macho stuff isn't good but I think if you take that away then you've got a different fighter all together. Similar to what we always hear about Wayne Rooney and in taking away his hot head your left with half the player.

Yeah but in boxing being macho can mean you get KO, i'm saying take it away but he just needs to control it and bring out when needed

He's been doing the macho stuff and holding his hands down by his side his whole career and he hasn't been KO'd so for me he is controlling it.

[dbf]

Has anyone upped it to youtube yet?

It's on the sky sports website

Cheers, Mark.

Link for anybody else interested: http://www.skysports.com/video/inline/0 ... 82,00.html

Good to see sky have gone down the fight camp 360 route this time and not the 24/7 style. Getting better but not quite there yet.

[Andypittcov]

@leedslad

I don't think Rooney needs teaching that kicking players off the ball is wrong. He knows it but it just happens much the same as those 35 yard volleys into the top corner and stunning overhead kicks which also can't be taught.

[leeharding]

@leedslad

I don't think Rooney needs teaching that kicking players off the ball is wrong. He knows it but it just happens much the same as those 35 yard volleys into the top corner and stunning overhead kicks which also can't be taught.

i think its safe to say wat a top top pro carl froch is and the bomber aswell its a really nice thing 2 c 2 lads working together and show eachother the upmost respect well in lads may u both reighn supreme

[gobbles]

Maybe Degale had other commitments, maybe he didn't feel right training back in Sheffield alongside all the GB amateur squad as hired help for Froch, he did after all say that he was happy to spar him in London (Froch was in London for the GB finals 2 weeks ago because McCracken was down).
There could be lots of things.
Why do people feel the need to slag off Degale on the basis of what one person says without hearing his side?

[twenty six]

Maybe the pay was crap !
I'm not one of DeGale's fans but to kick him in the teeth over this is wrong because none of us know the reason he said no.

[SteveDow]

Really want Froch to beat Ward. He's a fantastic fighter, brilliant attitude and seems like a nice guy also. I've been a big fan for a number of years now.

Degale is an idiot for turning that kind of opportunity down. Who the hell does he think he is asking Froch to go and visit him?! He should be jumping at the opportunity to get in the ring with one of the best fighters in the world. I totally agree with the person above who said that the difference between Froch and Degale is that Froch wants to be taken out of his comfort zone whilst Degale wants to remain in his.

[dondada]

Maybe Degale had other commitments, maybe he didn't feel right training back in Sheffield alongside all the GB amateur squad as hired help for Froch, he did after all say that he was happy to spar him in London (Froch was in London for the GB finals 2 weeks ago because McCracken was down).
There could be lots of things.
Why do people feel the need to slag off Degale on the basis of what one person says without hearing his side?

Yes, I'd like to hear his side of it too.

Sounded like a great opportunity for DeGale so presumably he had a cast-iron reason for turning it down. Otherwise, well...

[Glyn Leach]

Adam Smith tells me much of the credit for the Froch piece should go to Dave Finch for his classy edit - I'm a huge fan of that kind of Fight Camp 360 fly on the wall style. By the way, is there one for Froch-Ward anyone?

[jizzle]

Maybe it had something to do with his bitter experience with the ABA after the Olympics which went legal and he didn't want to train at their facilities...

That seems a fair enough reason to me...

[dbf]

Adam Smith tells me much of the credit for the Froch piece should go to Dave Finch for his classy edit - I'm a huge fan of that kind of Fight Camp 360 fly on the wall style. By the way, is there one for Froch-Ward anyone?

Thanks for the info Glyn - This is the direction Sky should be going in, like Froch himself, its a lot classier.

Episode 10 is quality - http://www.fightnews.com/page/2

[gobbles]

Maybe it had something to do with his bitter experience with the ABA after the Olympics which went legal and he didn't want to train at their facilities...

That seems a fair enough reason to me...

The ABA refused to pay up on the promised bonuses to medal-winners, didn't they? I think a gold medal was supposed to be £20,000 and the two bronze medal winners £5,000.

[gobbles]

Maybe Degale had other commitments, maybe he didn't feel right training back in Sheffield alongside all the GB amateur squad as hired help for Froch, he did after all say that he was happy to spar him in London (Froch was in London for the GB finals 2 weeks ago because McCracken was down).
There could be lots of things.
Why do people feel the need to slag off Degale on the basis of what one person says without hearing his side?

Yes, I'd like to hear his side of it too.

Sounded like a great opportunity for DeGale so presumably he had a cast-iron reason for turning it down. Otherwise, well...

Depends when it was. As I said, Froch was in London for the GB finals, I presume they could have sparred then. DeGale had commitments around the Olympic test event last week with the BOA and LOCOG and has his own training to sort out ahead of his fight on December 9. Going to Sheffield for 2 weeks to live in a hotel ahead of his fight isn't necessarily the best preparation.
Strange he compares it to Eastman, who trained in the same gym as him at the time.

[bripez]

DeGale is probably too arrogant to spar with anyone, they spar with him - if you get me.

You could be right - or, Degale may see Froch as a future opponent in a couple of years (World title unification ?) and he didn't want to give anything away ?

It was a really good report though.

[milpool]

I thought it was a great piece on Ringside and it strengthened my admiration for the Cobra. He is a true pro who's very level headed and likeable too.
As has been said, it was great to see Bomber in there doing his bit too.

I really hope Carl does the business in a couple of weeks.