Thoughts on Degale-Groves
Posted: 21 May 2011, 19:34
I hope the mods don't mind me starting another thread here, but I thought I would draw together my thoughts on the main themes of the night, rather than some of the individual aspects, which have their own threads.
The fight wasn't a barnburner, but it was, in my view, entertaining because of the quality of both men, who looked more experienced than their years, and are far better fighters than would ordinarily be involved in a domestic bout for the British title.
I scored the fight to Degale by two, but there were about three rounds in the middle that were very hard to score, mainly because little happened. They could have been scored even, if even rounds weren't frowned upon in 10 points must scoring, and were therefore pickem stanzas that ultimately decided the fight.
Despite this, I thought Groves 'deserved' the nod, simply because Degale threw that match away. He was never hurt, looked progressively the stronger as the fight went on, and seemed to be boxing within himself. Given that Groves looked increasingly ragged, was hurt, and appeared to leave everything in the ring, one can only come to the conclusion that Degale, if he had stepped it up, and had been willing to trade (as he was walking through Groves's punches by the end) and let go his punches, he would have done that little bit more to swing the one or two rounds he needed to secure the victory.
That's not to take anything away from Groves. He showed that he has the ability to step up to the next level, and also, by putting Booth's brilliant plan into action, that he has a fine boxing brain. Booth deserves, and will get, I'm sure, great credit for comprehensively out-thinking Degale and Jimmy Mac, as there were times in the first five rounds when Degale didn't seem to know what to do with Groves; however, let's not forget that to concentrate like that, and to carry out a plan so well, when you're putting in that kind of physical effort, is quite some feat -- especially at such a young age.
What's wonderful about this fight is that it's probable that Degale will improve as a fighter, and that this fight will help give him the grounding he needs to win world titles. Even if he doesn't improve, and his arrogance prevents him from taking steps to up his game, logically, we need to compare it to the alternative, which is fighting soft touches in guaranteed wins for 20 fights, as Mr. Warren did with his previous generation of top prospects. This, I suggest, never allows a fighter to reach his potential before a title fight and allows bad habits become ingrained through not having puzzles to solve, never having to gut things out, and not being punished for mistakes. So what if he loses? Bad for Mr. Warren's and Degale's bank balance, but good for their long term prospects of creating a legacy. He's ready, after only nine fights, for this type of tough encounter, so it's only to his benefit that he's tested all the way, as fighters used to be.
Two points related to this. First, I thought that one of Mr. Warren's comments during his brave-face interview was telling: "Maybe this will be a blessing. Some of the back-slappers will move on now, and we can get down to business." Perhaps an insight into Degale's entourage? Perhaps, it's just me reading too far between the lines, but the way Degale acts, it really wouldn't surprise me if Warren doesn't like the company he keeps outside the ring.
Second, I wonder if Pay Per View, even though it probably isn't warranted for this level of boxing, does have the upshot of forcing Mr. Warren out of his routine of building reputations based on explosive performances in one-sided fights and undefeated but ultimately padded records? I bet we wouldn't have seen this fight if Sports Network, or whatever they're called now, wasn't trying to build fighters on PPV.
So, to conclude, not a brilliant fight, but still entertaining because great to see two fighters of that quality matched together as prospects, and because boxing so often leaves rivalries -- especially domestic -- unrequited.
And perhaps Degale, like Khan, can emerge from an unexpected, early defeat, as the real winner? Groves will be better, too.
Thoughts?
The fight wasn't a barnburner, but it was, in my view, entertaining because of the quality of both men, who looked more experienced than their years, and are far better fighters than would ordinarily be involved in a domestic bout for the British title.
I scored the fight to Degale by two, but there were about three rounds in the middle that were very hard to score, mainly because little happened. They could have been scored even, if even rounds weren't frowned upon in 10 points must scoring, and were therefore pickem stanzas that ultimately decided the fight.
Despite this, I thought Groves 'deserved' the nod, simply because Degale threw that match away. He was never hurt, looked progressively the stronger as the fight went on, and seemed to be boxing within himself. Given that Groves looked increasingly ragged, was hurt, and appeared to leave everything in the ring, one can only come to the conclusion that Degale, if he had stepped it up, and had been willing to trade (as he was walking through Groves's punches by the end) and let go his punches, he would have done that little bit more to swing the one or two rounds he needed to secure the victory.
That's not to take anything away from Groves. He showed that he has the ability to step up to the next level, and also, by putting Booth's brilliant plan into action, that he has a fine boxing brain. Booth deserves, and will get, I'm sure, great credit for comprehensively out-thinking Degale and Jimmy Mac, as there were times in the first five rounds when Degale didn't seem to know what to do with Groves; however, let's not forget that to concentrate like that, and to carry out a plan so well, when you're putting in that kind of physical effort, is quite some feat -- especially at such a young age.
What's wonderful about this fight is that it's probable that Degale will improve as a fighter, and that this fight will help give him the grounding he needs to win world titles. Even if he doesn't improve, and his arrogance prevents him from taking steps to up his game, logically, we need to compare it to the alternative, which is fighting soft touches in guaranteed wins for 20 fights, as Mr. Warren did with his previous generation of top prospects. This, I suggest, never allows a fighter to reach his potential before a title fight and allows bad habits become ingrained through not having puzzles to solve, never having to gut things out, and not being punished for mistakes. So what if he loses? Bad for Mr. Warren's and Degale's bank balance, but good for their long term prospects of creating a legacy. He's ready, after only nine fights, for this type of tough encounter, so it's only to his benefit that he's tested all the way, as fighters used to be.
Two points related to this. First, I thought that one of Mr. Warren's comments during his brave-face interview was telling: "Maybe this will be a blessing. Some of the back-slappers will move on now, and we can get down to business." Perhaps an insight into Degale's entourage? Perhaps, it's just me reading too far between the lines, but the way Degale acts, it really wouldn't surprise me if Warren doesn't like the company he keeps outside the ring.
Second, I wonder if Pay Per View, even though it probably isn't warranted for this level of boxing, does have the upshot of forcing Mr. Warren out of his routine of building reputations based on explosive performances in one-sided fights and undefeated but ultimately padded records? I bet we wouldn't have seen this fight if Sports Network, or whatever they're called now, wasn't trying to build fighters on PPV.
So, to conclude, not a brilliant fight, but still entertaining because great to see two fighters of that quality matched together as prospects, and because boxing so often leaves rivalries -- especially domestic -- unrequited.
And perhaps Degale, like Khan, can emerge from an unexpected, early defeat, as the real winner? Groves will be better, too.
Thoughts?
