Froch v Groves Countdown: The Gloves Are Off

[Finch]

Much as I like Groves' games and I want him to win, Froch is taking Groves to school on this programme.

Groves often didn't have an answer. I think Froch winning these mind games will actually boost his confidence and settle those insecurities he had last time around.

[chrisbonnie]

i think Froch was winning the battle until the handshake. You can see that infuriated him.

Saying that though. Am i the only one thats utterly pissed off at the amount of "head to head" stuff Sky are trying to instigate now?

They've sold the stadium out, they've sold god knows how many PPV's, yet they still insist on making a WWE style rivalry between these two.

Its becoming quite tedious now.

[daviddee]

I'm not so sure what George is doing. Especially with that creepy look but the signs people don't notice are there. Froch Fidgeting in his seat.. Talking drinks of water to calm down and at the end sweaty hands.. He is more nervous in these situations but he's putting a good show on.. I think Groves is very intelligent and is playing a little game here

[lefty]

It looked like he nearly ripped Groves arm out of it's socket at the there lol. I thought Groves made some good points at times but he looked like he as getting more wound up to me in terms of his facial expressions and so on. It looked like he was getting annoyed that he couldnt rile Carl up to the same extent.

[lefty]

I'm not so sure what George is doing. Especially with that creepy look but the signs people don't notice are there. Froch Fidgeting in his seat.. Talking drinks of water to calm down and at the end sweaty hands.. He is more nervous in these situations but he's putting a good show on.. I think Groves is very intelligent and is playing a little game here

How the hell could you tell that?

[Ian1973]

Froch is acting. All the smiling "on cue" gives it away, he's trying too hard to look cool. Groves looks mesmerised most of the time. Froch's answers are good and they are quick but they are also coached and it's worked because he's out-talking Groves.

I think Froch is banking on his mentality improving his performance from the last fight but it won't. We've seen Carl froch all through his career and no psychologist is going to make him any quicker or any more skilled.

[vargas]

I don't buy any of this mind games rubbish. Froch winning the mind games ain't going to help him avoid Groves overhand right that he's too slow to avoid. And Groves winning them isn't going to improve his stamina on the night.

The winner of the fight will be the guy who can best execute whatever game plan they've been working on in the gym.

[Finch]

i think Froch was winning the battle until the handshake. You can see that infuriated him.

Saying that though. Am i the only one thats utterly pissed off at the amount of "head to head" stuff Sky are trying to instigate now?

They've sold the stadium out, they've sold god knows how many PPV's, yet they still insist on making a WWE style rivalry between these two.

Its becoming quite tedious now.

I thought he won the handshake by pulling him towards him?

Tbf to sky - the Froch Kessler second fight was 12 weeks of special ringside episodes so this has not been anywhere near as bad.

[daviddee]

I'm not so sure what George is doing. Especially with that creepy look but the signs people don't notice are there. Froch Fidgeting in his seat.. Talking drinks of water to calm down and at the end sweaty hands.. He is more nervous in these situations but he's putting a good show on.. I think Groves is very intelligent and is playing a little game here

How the hell could you tell that?

Watch how he wipes his hand on his trousers before shaking George's hand.. Your hands are the first place to get sweaty when your nervous.

[chrisbonnie]

i think Froch was winning the battle until the handshake. You can see that infuriated him.

Saying that though. Am i the only one thats utterly pissed off at the amount of "head to head" stuff Sky are trying to instigate now?

They've sold the stadium out, they've sold god knows how many PPV's, yet they still insist on making a WWE style rivalry between these two.

Its becoming quite tedious now.

I thought he won the handshake by pulling him towards him?

Tbf to sky - the Froch Kessler second fight was 12 weeks of special ringside episodes so this has not been anywhere near as bad.

but there wasnt as many head to heads. Ive no problem listening to either guy on their own. But just like two teenagers, when they are together, its just silly. Not entertaining, just plain silly.

[lefty]

I'm not so sure what George is doing. Especially with that creepy look but the signs people don't notice are there. Froch Fidgeting in his seat.. Talking drinks of water to calm down and at the end sweaty hands.. He is more nervous in these situations but he's putting a good show on.. I think Groves is very intelligent and is playing a little game here

How the hell could you tell that?

Watch how he wipes his hand on his trousers before shaking George's hand.. Your hands are the first place to get sweaty when your nervous.

Ah fairplay, I didnt notice that.

[lefty]

Off topic but Andy Murray is impressing with his knowledge on ringside. I know he's a keen follower of the sport but he does seem clued up on it aswell.

[lefty]

Adam and Johnny taking pics of one another is seriously cringey though with the music over the top.

[ALI]

Enjoyed that. Froch started to own Groves during the latter part, made him look a bit silly IMO. I do think Froch is worried to an extent, he is doing very, very well to cover it up. Winning that exchange will probably help boost his confidence a little. Still, come fight night, if Groves comes with a good game plan i'm confident he will win. The biggest mistake he can make is trying to stop Froch early, i think thats all talk though, a wind up from his camp. He must fight smart and conserve energy, i'm sure thats what he will do.

[Deserter]

I don't buy any of this mind games rubbish. Froch winning the mind games ain't going to help him avoid Groves overhand right that he's too slow to avoid. And Groves winning them isn't going to improve his stamina on the night.

The winner of the fight will be the guy who can best execute whatever game plan they've been working on in the gym.

This. I think the level of analysis into the 'mind games' is way OTT and just a way of everyone staying 'entertained' in the build-up.

[whiskey]

Groves was incapable of answering even standard questions. He looked tense and stressed simply being around Froch.

Carl was relaxed and gave candid answers to everything.

"You tell lies Carl" said Groves

To which Nelson asks "Give us an example"

Groves stared open mouth at Johnny then Carl.

"Johnny's asked you a question, are you going to give him answer?"

Groves eyes glaze over and his mouth just gorms. Then Johnny says "ok moving on".

Having failed to get a rise on ringside, was bossed on Facebook - he then was completely lost for words on the Gloves Were Off and subsequently had to lash out with the childish hand shake - and even that blew up in his face.

Groves is cracking now. Last time he had no pressure and no expectation. But this time around with his complaining, moaning and childish IBF repeated BBBoC cases and bluster, he's now put himself under colossal expectation and it's starting to manifest all over the place.

There are no prizes or belts for winning verbal encounters, but if they were , Groves was knocked clean out in one round last night.

Naturally groves supporters would have you believe otherwise, saying Carl was acting and possibly had a 'sweaty hand' , complete nonsense.

Groves came across as a total berk and let the show down with his tired script and non-answers.

[whiskey]

[chiggsy]

People that believe fights are won and lost at press conferences/face offs tickle me.

Both men will have game plans based on the hours of footage available to them on the other man and all the stare outs,insults,shirt pulling,aggressive handshakes etc in the world is not going to change those game plans.

That being said it does make for good telly and will convince the casuals to part with there 17 nicker.

[polychenko]

There are no prizes or belts for winning verbal encounters, but if they were , Groves was knocked clean out in one round last night.

I agree. Very impressed with how Froch is handling himself so far. He's admitted where he was wrong and has put it right - the attitude which made him a world champion.

Groves is being dominated - doesn't seem to be able to think on his feet. He's probably been practising his irritating lines for years - are you crying / hold it together etc.

Not sure how much difference it will make on fight night, but at least Froch less likely to be hugely pissed off while walking in

[Wrists]

Froch won that battle last night hands down. Wiped the floor with groves. Come fight night though that will mean very little.

I can't make my mind up who wins. Leaning towards froch late again

[DMA1987]

Froch annihilated Groves in this face off. Froch does seem in a better place this time.

[Old Jack J]

I watched it but it is a little boring now going over the same stuff.

Certainly froch has handled this side better. Groves will still beat him to the punch though, its a case of whether groves has the stamina to see it through. If he slows even slightly then he gets tagged by those looping froch hooks again. I think adam booth had it nailed on when he was on ringside. Groves can win if he plays it clever over 12 rounds. Problem is, Groves isn't the cleverest boxer you will see.

[palooka]

Froch annihilated Groves in this face off. Froch does seem in a better place this time.

I've not got to see it yet; I set it to record and I got a football programming instead. Will watch later in the week, getting half hour telly on a Sunday in our house is a pitched battle.

[ALI]

People that believe fights are won and lost at press conferences/face offs tickle me.

Tell that one to Tyson.

[palooka]

Tyson Fury?