Syntax Error wrote: ↑03 Jul 2022, 10:28
Even if you don't like the man, for what ever reason, no right thinking boxing fan could dislike the fighter.
One of the finest boxers to come out of the UK and with a resume to die for.
Always fought the best and wasn't scared to get on an aeroplane every now and then for big fights either.
so true when we talk about the super 6 tourney, Dirrell was the only fight in the uk he had , absolute british polish fighting icon no one touches him for me
A warrior for sure and I think largely underated in terms of his attributes. I think he seems to have been remembered as a limited warrior when clearly he had a lot more going for him than that.
Definately lost to Dirrell though and I think Groves doesn't get enough credit for his part in the rematch - that fight seems to have gone down in folklore as if Froch won every round and then KO'd Groves - it wasn't. Smashing KO though.
I agree, at very top level he was a bit limited. Wouldn't have beaten a prime Kessler, Ward was a class above, for me he def lost against Dirrell, got a gift in Groves 1, and it was close in the second one.
Nevertheless got the job done in style in Groves 2, as he did against Taylor in one of the most exciting finishes I have ever seen.
An absolute warrior, a fantastic chin, engine and will to win, dangerous puncher too, left it all in the ring.
Wasn't a fan early on because if his arrogance.
Liked him in the Pascal fight, loved him after that.
One of the sports greatest over-achievers, in a way. Compared to the top lads, he was slow, flat-footed, defensively poor and showed quite poor technique.
What he did have, was bollocks the size of an Iceberg, a chin made of titanium, an engine that belonged in a diesel tractor and a will to win that was unbelievable to see.
The qualities that he did have, he had in absolute spades.
Proper hardman, one of our very best fighters.
Still think he's a bit of a twat, mind.... But he's our twat.
Coco wrote: ↑07 Jul 2022, 12:24
got a gift in Groves 1
That's a bit harsh mate. The stoppage timing was terrible, but surely no-one was seriously doubting the outcome at that point?
The decision was a complete gift, who knows if he would have eventually got to Groves, we were robbed of that.
If Groves had got on his bike and fiddled his way through he would have won on points as his lead should have been unassailable
Coco wrote: ↑07 Jul 2022, 13:04
who knows if he would have eventually got to Groves,
He had already got to Groves - I'm a fan of both fighters, but there's no way i can create a scenario whereby GG somehow fiddles through from that point, esp. given Froch's track record of coming on strong down the stretch.
but groves in floppy mode, with froch coming on and known as a late round beast......was gonna be tough tough for georgie to pull it out. also, i think two of the cards only had groves up by a point (i thought he was ahead by at least 3). even if he survived he'd prob lose on points. that said i think groves shouldve been given more of a chance to prove that wrong
Lenny Cravats wrote: ↑07 Jul 2022, 12:45
Wasn't a fan early on because if his arrogance.
Liked him in the Pascal fight, loved him after that.
One of the sports greatest over-achievers, in a way. Compared to the top lads, he was slow, flat-footed, defensively poor and showed quite poor technique.
What he did have, was bollocks the size of an Iceberg, a chin made of titanium, an engine that belonged in a diesel tractor and a will to win that was unbelievable to see.
The qualities that he did have, he had in absolute spades.
Proper hardman, one of our very best fighters.
Still think he's a bit of a twat, mind.... But he's our twat.
to all that. I'll add that he was able to offset the speed deficit quite often with excellent timing and awkwardness. Would never have got that far without his chin, though!
Coco wrote: ↑07 Jul 2022, 12:24
got a gift in Groves 1
That's a bit harsh mate. The stoppage timing was terrible, but surely no-one was seriously doubting the outcome at that point?
You can definately doubt the outcome since it was far from conclusive, even though it's unlikely Froch loses, we have to actually see the fight play out to know, otherwise what's the point in fighting in the first place if it's just about what might happen on paper
Coco wrote: ↑07 Jul 2022, 12:24
got a gift in Groves 1
That's a bit harsh mate. The stoppage timing was terrible, but surely no-one was seriously doubting the outcome at that point?
You can definately doubt the outcome since it was far from conclusive, even though it's unlikely Froch loses, we have to actually see the fight play out to know, otherwise what's the point in fighting in the first place if it's just about what might happen on paper
The second fight is what you call conclusive
You're being far too binary about it - we all know there are countless fights where the outcome is clear before the end itself - the reason that fights like Corrales vs Castillo are seared on the memory is that they're the exception to the rule, not the norm.
As I've already said, it was a dreadful stoppage and Groves should have been allowed to continue, but at that point the consensus was clearly (and understandably) that it was just a matter of time before Froch finished it. Do we know definitively, no, but I think it's reasonable to talk about it as a 90% likelihood of a Froch victory at that point. Therefore for me calling it a gift isn't accurate.
Watched the full thing Froch was joking and actually looked a bit embarressed when Usyk seemed he did'nt have a clue what he was talking about , Don't think he speaks english too well , or understands Carls sence of humor at all
That's a bit harsh mate. The stoppage timing was terrible, but surely no-one was seriously doubting the outcome at that point?
You can definately doubt the outcome since it was far from conclusive, even though it's unlikely Froch loses, we have to actually see the fight play out to know, otherwise what's the point in fighting in the first place if it's just about what might happen on paper
The second fight is what you call conclusive
You're being far too binary about it - we all know there are countless fights where the outcome is clear before the end itself - the reason that fights like Corrales vs Castillo are seared on the memory is that they're the exception to the rule, not the norm.
As I've already said, it was a dreadful stoppage and Groves should have been allowed to continue, but at that point the consensus was clearly (and understandably) that it was just a matter of time before Froch finished it. Do we know definitively, no, but I think it's reasonable to talk about it as a 90% likelihood of a Froch victory at that point. Therefore for me calling it a gift isn't accurate.
I agree gift isn't accurate, but the outcome was still doubtful
liamlion wrote: ↑07 Jul 2022, 18:27
Unbelievable fitness and so robust. A hard man with a strange personality.
A rare fighter who didn’t really need to cut weight to make the weight, walking around at slightly over 12st.
Boxing is less interesting without him.
Strange how Ward called him "unathletic" when he's one the fittest guys to do it, but Americans sometimes confuse explosiveness and speed with athleticism rather than fitness
Coco wrote: ↑07 Jul 2022, 12:24
got a gift in Groves 1
That's a bit harsh mate. The stoppage timing was terrible, but surely no-one was seriously doubting the outcome at that point?
The decision was a complete gift, who knows if he would have eventually got to Groves, we were robbed of that.
If Groves had got on his bike and fiddled his way through he would have won on points as his lead should have been unassailable
how was that a gift groves turned his back because the tough got going , he wanted out , froch was turning the fight, i aint taking anything away from groves but he was young inexperienced that was always going to be a factor
liamlion wrote: ↑07 Jul 2022, 18:27
Unbelievable fitness and so robust. A hard man with a strange personality.
A rare fighter who didn’t really need to cut weight to make the weight, walking around at slightly over 12st.
Boxing is less interesting without him.
Strange how Ward called him "unathletic" when he's one the fittest guys to do it, but Americans sometimes confuse explosiveness and speed with athleticism rather than fitness
yea very true froch was in shape 24/7 365 days of the year he was in tip top condition more so then a boxer i remember
liamlion wrote: ↑07 Jul 2022, 18:27
Unbelievable fitness and so robust. A hard man with a strange personality.
A rare fighter who didn’t really need to cut weight to make the weight, walking around at slightly over 12st.
Boxing is less interesting without him.
Strange how Ward called him "unathletic" when he's one the fittest guys to do it, but Americans sometimes confuse explosiveness and speed with athleticism rather than fitness
yea very true froch was in shape 24/7 365 days of the year he was in tip top condition more so then a boxer i remember
Still is ripped to shreds now!
Best thing about watching his prime was seeing his missus not wearing much
That's a bit harsh mate. The stoppage timing was terrible, but surely no-one was seriously doubting the outcome at that point?
The decision was a complete gift, who knows if he would have eventually got to Groves, we were robbed of that.
If Groves had got on his bike and fiddled his way through he would have won on points as his lead should have been unassailable
how was that a gift groves turned his back because the tough got going , he wanted out , froch was turning the fight, i aint taking anything away from groves but he was young inexperienced that was always going to be a factor
Groves for the most part at the time of stoppage was catching punches and rolling them. That makes it very controversial. As for turning his back, he didn't he was rolling the punches.
Ref got it wrong but it's not an easy decision to make
Watched the full thing Froch was joking and actually looked a bit embarressed when Usyk seemed he did'nt have a clue what he was talking about , Don't think he speaks english too well , or understands Carls sence of humor at all
It's quite a dry sense of humour, which being a Notts boy myself I do get actually, and naturally I was a fan back in the day, did leave himself open with the low left hand but had a very underrated left jab which he used to great affect against Arthur Abraham, but he just loved a good old tear up.
to all that. I'll add that he was able to offset the speed deficit quite often with excellent timing and awkwardness. Would never have got that far without his chin, though!