Carl Froch: Mission Impossible for George Groves

[Ruthless-RKO]

Carl Froch doesn't mind who wins but can't see George Groves beating Chris Eubank Jr

Carl Froch used Chris Eubank Jr as his main sparring partner ahead of that Wembley win over George Groves, so we asked him to break down the February showdown, give us his prediction and see which one of the super-middleweights his emotions are siding with...

Froch said,

"I'm going to get this out of the way now. I've sparred one, fought the other of course, and it is impossible for me to make a case for Groves to win their fight."

"We've all seen and read what they've both come out with and yes, it is not until February, but I will not change my mind. It is Mission Impossible for Groves."

"I just don't think he has the capability of stopping Chris Eubank Jr and now, if you don't stop Chris Eubank Jr you don't win on points. Ever since that loss to Billy Joe Saunders, he hasn't messed around, took his time or taken his foot off the gas early on and to me, he is now super fit."

"He is strong enough to demand respect but Groves doesn't need to worry about getting knocked out with one punch but that aside, Eubank Jr has a ferocious work rate, will go for the full 12 rounds and here's the sting in the tale: you just can't hurt him."

"He is tough as old boots, believe me. It was far harder sparring him than it was fighting Groves with those small gloves on Wembley. Sparring with him was competitive, uncomfortable and I hit him with around six or seven right hands - the same right hand that knocked Groves out - and I couldn't have hit Eubank Jr any sweeter. He just rolled off, looked at me and carried on punching."

"Eubank Jr also threw a lot of shots, and even though I was fully focused - unlike the first fight with Groves - I got hit with a lot that I just didn't see coming."

"The only way for Groves to beat him is to keep out of his way and out-box him, win on points. But the problem is I don't think he's fit enough. He doesn't have the engine and if I am honest, he didn't look that good in the first Super Series fight against Jamie Cox."

"That is my prediction and I am sure people are expecting me to side with Eubank Jr when it comes to who I want to win it. Well, I honestly don't mind. Even if Groves goes on to lose to Tom, Dick or Harry, or Chris Eubank Jr, it makes no difference to me. It will not do anything to my legacy."

"For personal reasons I actually quite admire Groves to have gone through what he did and become a world champion at the fourth attempt. He clearly enjoys the game I am in love with, like I do, and I was happy to stand up and applaud him at Bramall Lane. I have no agenda with him whatsoever and I certainly wouldn't have done it unless I meant it."

"Eubank Jr helped me out in that rematch. He was my main sparring partner for Wembley, so I like him and I've always liked his dad and been a big fan of his. Yes, Groves called me all sorts of things and tried to take my livelihood away like any other opponent, but genuinely I have no animosity towards him."

"To be totally honest, I want the best man to win on the night."

[danconnollyeire]

It was far harder sparring him than it was fighting Groves

This is exactly why I take nothing what Froch says seriously. I used to really like him, then he started talking all the time. Is that right Carl? Did Eubank have you heavily on your arse? Spaghetti legged? Flapped for three rounds? Chat sh1t

[Oiky]

Empty chat from froch

I like froch

But he does know how to talk sh*t doesn't he

[ShadrachSimmo]

Groves hasn't the capacity to stop him. If you don't stop him you don't win on points. His only chance is to win on points blah etc.

Froch doesn't half talk some sheeat.

[Nightmare Roy]

....and we all know Froch knows the sport inside out, sell your house lump it all on Jnr!

[Noxy]

Some straight talking from Carl there. It’s interesting he’s so certain about it

[TheGman]

So this means that eubank would of beat froch had they fought,groves gave froch kittens in both fights so if what he says is true imagine what eubank would of done to him

[Ruthless-RKO]

So this means that eubank would of beat froch had they fought,groves gave froch kittens in both fights so if what he says is true imagine what eubank would of done to him

He probably would

[banjo]

Think he's just hyping up the think, personally I think Groves will pulverise him.

[KiwiRider]

Carl is using old examples
Both Groves and Eubank are way different from back in Carl's day.
Both have improved, possibly Jr more than Groves.
If you want a real opinion about who has the edge in this fight, look to the English bookmakers, they get it right a lot more than Carl Froch.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Think he's just hyping up the think, personally I think Groves will pulverise him.

It's not like Sky Sports are covering it.

[Wa1nuts]

Carl is using old examples
Both Groves and Eubank are way different from back in Carl's day.
Both have improved, possibly Jr more than Groves.
If you want a real opinion about who has the edge in this fight, look to the English bookmakers, they get it right a lot more than Carl Froch.

Eubank is favourite isn't he?

[jamamb]

think eubank wins too but froch deffo has some scorn for georgie. seems like a grudging person.

[lillywhite14]

I was a big Froch fan but I got to say I preferred it when he didn’t have a microphone in his face. He don’t half chat some bollocks! One of my favourite modern day fighters though

Maybe he’s trying to be too clever here and he really thinks Groves will win, yet talks up Eubank to give off the impression it’s a massive win for Groves which in turn possibly enhances Carl Froch’s legacy...

Everything comes back to himself whenever he talks anyway so I might be on to something!

[Tanzio]

Just another opinion, but I certainly sensed zero animosity towards Groves in it. If Groves runs through him I suppose someones will remind him of this call.

[Boxerbeetle]

Froch doesn’t even seem to watch boxing, so it’s no shock to hear him talking yet more bollocks about it.

[jamamb]

froch has taken all sorts of subtle digs at grove over the yrs. pretty easy to see. hes that type of person. its not going to be outright stuff but more digging it in a bit when the chance comes up.he did ktfo georgie (plus hes got that full head) so hes the man in the relationship and can do that stuff.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

froch has taken all sorts of subtle digs at grove over the yrs. pretty easy to see. hes that type of person. its not going to be outright stuff but more digging it in a bit when the chance comes up.he did ktfo georgie (plus hes got that full head) so hes the man in the relationship and can do that stuff.

Groves was a dick to him too. Surely there is someone in your life you don't like from years ago? Not anyone you think about but if you had a mic and a question you wouldn't speak fondly of them. What he says makes some sense, past the no chance. Groves hits hard enough to get to anyone.

[jamamb]

oh ya there are c@nts out there no doubt. sometimes bald, ginger, and smelly looking ones.

[liamlion]

It was far harder sparring him than it was fighting Groves

This is exactly why I take nothing what Froch says seriously. I used to really like him, then he started talking all the time. Is that right Carl? Did Eubank have you heavily on your arse? Spaghetti legged? Flapped for three rounds? Chat sh1t

You took the quote out of context mate. Froch actually goes on to say that it was harder sparring Eubank than fighting Groves at Wembley. And to be fair froch is right to the extent that Groves didn't exert himself on froch in the rematch anything like he did in the first fight. Groves didn't inflict any damage on froch in the rematch and largely boxed froch at length, off the back foot.

[Coco]

I do think working hard for 3 minutes every round over the championship distance is Groves biggest weakness.
Against Degale it was a low energy fencing match.
Eubank needs to make him work hard and Groves could blow out.

[stujones]

He really does not like/rate GG. I remember him giving Paul Smith more of a chance vs Abraham than Groves. Who best Smith in 2 rounds?

[Wales]

froch has taken all sorts of subtle digs at grove over the yrs. pretty easy to see. hes that type of person. its not going to be outright stuff but more digging it in a bit when the chance comes up.he did ktfo georgie (plus hes got that full head) so hes the man in the relationship and can do that stuff.

Groves was a dick to him too.

In the run up to their first fight Froch was an absolute pudendum to Groves verbally.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

froch has taken all sorts of subtle digs at grove over the yrs. pretty easy to see. hes that type of person. its not going to be outright stuff but more digging it in a bit when the chance comes up.he did ktfo georgie (plus hes got that full head) so hes the man in the relationship and can do that stuff.

Groves was a dick to him too.

In the run up to their first fight Froch was an absolute pudendum to Groves verbally.

Lol, groves was respectful? Get a grip.

[Grilling Machine]

Loads of middles were capable of making Froch look silly in sparring, because that was never his forte. His best attributes were rewarded by gruelling fights over the full 12, where his reach, engine and chin were equalisers against every slickster that wasn't Ward.

Ask Froch how he thinks he'd have done against Eubank in a pro fight and you'll get a different answer. Froch was simply a much better pro than amateur. Eubank can make almost everyone look bad in sparring — Golovkin, even — and probably knock out Joshua, but that's half the world away from a real fight.