Froch Vs Groves ordered by IBF

[iamasadlittleboy]

12-24 months too early for Groves.

[mickey1975]

It's a good fight, but it's not PPV material.

It is. It shouldn't be, but unfortunately ticks every box required for PPV. They will roll out the old friends who fell out routine... Eddie could stick this on Sky if he wanted, but wont.

[ILikeBeer]

It seems odd that the IBF are rushing it when it's at least a year too early for Groves. But I guess they like the idea of billing it as an 'All British Super Clash' or the old classic 'Biggest all British fight since Eubank vs Benn'.

Boxing is all about the money these days.

[Jack B]

This fight will certainly happen now. An excellent ticking over fight for Froch both in terms of quality of opposition and commercial value. A good fight and good win would set him up nicely for a stadium fight next May (either Kessler III or Ward II). Can't see George winning, but a good performance will up his value regardless of result.

Will it be PPV? Who knows. It will be the acid test of whether Sky are committed to limiting Box Office to genuine super fights. Froch-Groves, is a lower key fight than Froch-Bute, for example, so on that theory it should just be Sky Sports. But maybe they were just letting the dust settle over a period of time after the Haye debacle before bringing it back with more frequency. Time will tell.

Another consideration - if Matchroom don't tie up a deal for this fight - then anyone could bid for this fight as it will be thrown out for purse bids.

You could see Allegedly Channel or Channel Five throw their bid into the hat.

This will never happen. There is no way Froch would not sort out a deal with Matchroom and then fight for another promoter. If it went to FW or MH, Froch would just vacate the belt. He's shown he's willing to do that if he deems necessary - they had an agreement to abdicate after the Kessler fight and let Stevenson go for the title - the only reason Carl is still IBF champ is because of Stevenson's surprise move up to 175 (which paid dividends!).

[mickey1975]

It seems odd that the IBF are rushing it when it's at least a year too early for Groves. But I guess they like the idea of billing it as an 'All British Super Clash' or the old classic 'Biggest all British fight since Eubank vs Benn'.

Boxing is all about the money these days.

It won't even be the biggest British fight this year if Haye and Fury get it on.

[Parson Cross]

I think Eddie's comments are being misinterpreted.
PPV is appropriate for this fight, because it's the only way Froch will get his demands financially met - and who can blame him ?
I am still convinced that everything will be done to stall this fight for another 18 months.
Its too early for George, and maybe a ppv sell is just pushing it too far.
So what are the alternatives ?
Do a deal with both fighters to get the sanctioning body off their backs then one gets pulled with an injury ? Happened before and it'll happen again.
Froch simply vacates ?
I just cant see how Eddie benefits from having this fight take place now.
Groves is the heir apparant - why put the dreaded 0 on his resume ?
I expect Eddie to pull something off and keep Carl at elite level, and another route for George to a World title.
Then - either Carl will have retired or its a more saleable unification fight.

[macaca]

I cannot get PPV over here, it is too expensive anyways so I will be watching it online with great interest. I THINK Froch gets it just.

[lefty]

That's true, though Bute was very much like a deer in the headlights. I was thinking about that slick American who kept Froch guessing for 12 rounds

Andre Dirrell? He has elite skill level, Groves doesn't.

More than the skill is the speed factor I think. Groves has decent speed but Dirrell has true elite speed.

[lefty]

I think Eddie's comments are being misinterpreted.
PPV is appropriate for this fight, because it's the only way Froch will get his demands financially met - and who can blame him ?
I am still convinced that everything will be done to stall this fight for another 18 months.
Its too early for George, and maybe a ppv sell is just pushing it too far.
So what are the alternatives ?
Do a deal with both fighters to get the sanctioning body off their backs then one gets pulled with an injury ? Happened before and it'll happen again.
Froch simply vacates ?
I just cant see how Eddie benefits from having this fight take place now.
Groves is the heir apparant - why put the dreaded 0 on his resume ?
I expect Eddie to pull something off and keep Carl at elite level, and another route for George to a World title.
Then - either Carl will have retired or its a more saleable unification fight.

Groves by all accounts isnt on a long time contract with Matchroom though. Maybe Eddie isnt as invested in Groves as he is with his other fighters.

[TheCobra]

PPV, especially in this country after the prebvious debacles, should be limited to really big fights, e.g. between 2 world champions/big names like Froch vs Kessler was. If they start pushing stuff like this as PPV again then they will soon lose the respect of the fans and will be back to square one if they aint careful. That's my view anyway, I still see it as a good fight, but they can't just automatically assume Froch is a PPV fighter from now on just cos a big world title showdown between 2 of the biggest names at the weight did ok.

[lefty]

PPV, especially in this country after the prebvious debacles, should be limited to really big fights, e.g. between 2 world champions/big names like Froch vs Kessler was. If they start pushing stuff like this as PPV again then they will soon lose the respect of the fans and will be back to square one if they aint careful. That's my view anyway, I still see it as a good fight, but they can't just automatically assume Froch is a PPV fighter from now on just cos a big world title showdown between 2 of the biggest names at the weight did ok.

I agree. What I would say though is I dont mind Froch being on PPV too much as he's fought so many hard fights in his career against the worlds best at the weight, that I dont begrudge him making big money now. If anyone deserves it, it's him to be fair.

[Bard of Boxrec]

I don't get the people who say 'Groves isn't ready for Froch yet'. Nothing George can do in 12 months or 6 years is going to improve him for Froch. Carl is just always going to beat him. Froch struggles against slicksters and Groves has a leaky defence and questionable punch resistance. Froch will stalk him and stop him in 6 one-sided rounds. Groves has nothing he can actually beat Froch with. It's not even like his workrate is high enough to pull off a Kessler I-style win, and winning that kind of fight depends on him absorbing punishment and going through hell, something I have zero confidence in him being able to do vs someone like Froch.

[Parson Cross]

Columbo,
Options my friend, options

[jameswilson]

ffs guys, this will not be PPV, just because Newport Daz hinted that he thinks it will be everyone is giving it the 'OMG HOW CAN HEARN DO THIS!' when Hearn has made his opinions on PPV perfectly clear.

[Parson Cross]

James,
Serios question. If this just takes one of Eddie's dates how do you think he'll fund the wage demands of each fighter ?

[damianhucker1]

Matchroom have previously stated that PPV will only be used for those bouts that could be made without it , In my humble view i see no reason that should be the case here , although i wouldnt be surprised if Froch vacates for a different avenue leaving groves to box for the vacant title , Not through Froch ducking etc as thats not his style , more thinking about it being matchroom thinking thats the best route business wise . Groves vs Oosthuizen , suddenly groves could be world champion making a bout between froch and groves that bit bigger .

[jameswilson]

James,
Serios question. If this just takes one of Eddie's dates how do you think he'll fund the wage demands of each fighter ?

You think both guys are going to be getting the same purses that Froch and Kessler got for their fight? Give over. He will fund both purses the same way he funded the Froch v Bute fight.

Hearn has said before on numerous interviews he will only do PPV fights if the fight can't be made without PPV. Kessler would not come to the UK for anything other than a huge purse and PPV was needed to fund that. He's said in interviews the fights he thinks will be PPV and Froch v Groves weren't among them.

If you really think it's gonna be PPV I'll have a bet with you if you like that this fight won't take place on PPV. If it doesn't you have to get your username changed to 'I am jameswilson's biatch' and likewise I'll get my username changed to whatever if it does end up taking place on PPV.

[lefty]

James,
Serios question. If this just takes one of Eddie's dates how do you think he'll fund the wage demands of each fighter ?

You think both guys are going to be getting the same purses that Froch and Kessler got for their fight? Give over. He will fund both purses the same way he funded the Froch v Bute fight.

Hearn has said before on numerous interviews he will only do PPV fights if the fight can't be made without PPV. Kessler would not come to the UK for anything other than a huge purse and PPV was needed to fund that. He's said in interviews the fights he thinks will be PPV and Froch v Groves weren't among them.

If you really think it's gonna be PPV I'll have a bet with you if you like that this fight won't take place on PPV. If it doesn't you have to get your username changed to 'I am jameswilson's biatch' and likewise I'll get my username changed to whatever if it does end up taking place on PPV.

I think I remember Hearn saying he lost a good amount of money to get that fight made. He was prepared to do it though because it boosted Carl's career again after the Ward loss. Aside from Bute wanting a big purse anyway, he had to pay extra to get Bute out of Canada where he fights in front of big crowds. Also Carl would already be on a good amount per fight so that was an exception I think.

[DMA1987]

When does it have to be fulfilled? I assume this also scuppers Eddies plans of holding it outdoors? Thats a chunk of money missed right there

[lefty]

When does it have to be fulfilled? I assume this also scuppers Eddies plans of holding it outdoors? Thats a chunk of money missed right there

I think they have to come to an agreement by July and then the fight has to happen by October. I think you could still have it outdoors.

[Terrrrry]

My two favourite fighters right now. There will be no complaints from me if this goes ahead.

With a decent undercard, it's definitely PPV worthy in my opinion. Although I'd get tickets and go.

[lefty]

My two favourite fighters right now. There will be no complaints from me if this goes ahead.

With a decent undercard, it's definitely PPV worthy in my opinion. Although I'd get tickets and go.

I dont have an issue with this being on PPV. Id prefer to see Groves in with one of the other top fighters in the division ie an Abraham or Stieglitz first to prove that he's ready for that level though.

[The Insider]

There is no way that this will be a PPV event in its own entity. It may go ahead on a PPV Undercard but I can't see where? Perhaps a GBP show in MeriKa? I'd love to see it but I just can't see it happening.

[DMA1987]

My two favourite fighters right now. There will be no complaints from me if this goes ahead.

With a decent undercard, it's definitely PPV worthy in my opinion. Although I'd get tickets and go.

I dont have an issue with this being on PPV. Id prefer to see Groves in with one of the other top fighters in the division ie an Abraham or Stieglitz first to prove that he's ready for that level though.

Have to agree.

[youngrell]

Matchroom have previously stated that PPV will only be used for those bouts that could be made without it , In my humble view i see no reason that should be the case here , although i wouldnt be surprised if Froch vacates for a different avenue leaving groves to box for the vacant title , Not through Froch ducking etc as thats not his style , more thinking about it being matchroom thinking thats the best route business wise . Groves vs Oosthuizen , suddenly groves could be world champion making a bout between froch and groves that bit bigger .

x2