George Groves' biggest issue

[keirw]

In the last 12-18 months Groves' level seems to have dipped noticeably, culminating in him losing another World Title challenge. This time to a man considered the weakest of Champions in the division.

What do you think is the biggest contributing factor to his recent regression?

[johnswan1]

Combination of leaving Booth, not having good enough stamina or durability, being too arrogant and not learning from mistakes.

[bigjack]

Combination of leaving Booth, not having good enough stamina or durability, being too arrogant and not learning from mistakes.

x2

[handsofstone]

I think Jack is better than most people give him credit for,his 2 recent wins are better than anyone else's recently in that division

[samwbr]

His confidence has been wrecked, not being able to follow up his bluster in the build up to Froch 2 and losing on that stage in that fashion after entering the ring in such a ludicrous way in front of so many people who never watch the sport, I think he was embarrassed tbh.

I wanted him to win last week, I'm no fan of his on a (as much as one can know) personal level but it could have set up a really big exciting night over here v Degale.

[danamba7]

Combination of leaving Booth, not having good enough stamina or durability, being too arrogant and not learning from mistakes.

x2

x3

[jameswilson]

When I read the title of this thread I thought 'oh Groves has done an interview for a magazine sold by the homeless. But he has such a huge ego that he's demanded the magazine rename itself for one edition!'

[Counter-puncher]

When I read the title of this thread I thought 'oh Groves has done an interview for a magazine sold by the homeless. But he has such a huge ego that he's demanded the magazine rename itself for one edition!'

[orbtastic]

Who does George Groves blame?

[Stuarty]

I think it was a mistake leaving Adam Booth. At the time I thought it was just some form of mind games to throw Froch off and didn't think much of it. I fully expected Booth to be there on the night of the fight but hey ho. That coupled with both Froch defeats are his biggest issues IMO. He performed admirably twice against Froch and came up short twice. That must leave some deep rooted doubt in his mind that would've been hard to overcome and this latest setback will no doubt hamper him further unless he makes fundamental changes. He has the ability but you need a lot more than that at the top level. It's difficult to see where he goes from here tbh.

[Batley18]

In the long run I think leaving Booth was a bad mistake, but he arguably put in his best performance under Paddy when he fought Froch for the first time. I think Groves is a bit too cagey at times, and that probably stems from the KO by Froch in the second fight. I just feel as though Groves thinks that the universe owes him something after the debacle of the first fight with Froch, and he may have a big chip on his shoulder.

He is still young, and I believe he will become a World Champ eventually, but he needs to start afresh. New trainer, new attitude.

[Happy Slapper]

Good thread. I think leaving Booth is ultimately the biggest factor in his downfall, although I agree with most people that it's a combination of a few things.

His arrogance probably led to firing Booth, and whilst a bit of arrogance is required to be a top level sportsman, his ego must have taken a hammering at Wembley.

I don't think he's anywhere near 'done' yet but he badly needs to get a proper trainer and re-build. I don't think you can label him in the same way as say, David Price, who is just chinny and whose confidence is completely shot. It wouldn't take many wins for Groves to be back to full confidence (such is the arrogance of the man!) and I don't think he's as chinny as some on here paint him out to be. But to do that he MUST get a proper trainer (preferably Adam Booth) and realise that he doesn't always know what's best. He still has loads of learning to do and experience to gain.

He's not finished if he can park his ego and do what's needed.

[mfc_se15]

Good thread. I think leaving Booth is ultimately the biggest factor in his downfall, although I agree with most people that it's a combination of a few things.

His arrogance probably led to firing Booth, and whilst a bit of arrogance is required to be a top level sportsman, his ego must have taken a hammering at Wembley.

I don't think he's anywhere near 'done' yet but he badly needs to get a proper trainer and re-build. I don't think you can label him in the same way as say, David Price, who is just chinny and whose confidence is completely shot. It wouldn't take many wins for Groves to be back to full confidence (such is the arrogance of the man!) and I don't think he's as chinny as some on here paint him out to be. But to do that he MUST get a proper trainer (preferably Adam Booth) and realise that he doesn't always know what's best. He still has loads of learning to do and experience to gain.

He's not finished if he can park his ego and do what's needed.

Good post

[Coco]

Adam Booth cant give him the necessary stamina for the championship rounds.
I think there is no doubt he does the work in the gym, but to some extent stamina comes from within

[jamesmcdonnell]

Adam Booth cant give him the necessary stamina for the championship rounds.
I think there is no doubt he does the work in the gym, but to some extent stamina comes from within

Yes, some people just have better stamina than others, there's a genetic component to it.

DLH was another one who never had good stamina down the stretch. Although with hindsight, it appears that could have been down to his lifestyle.

[Counter-puncher]

i think its just as much mental as physical. if you are tense you tire more quickly, Groves seems to burn up quite a lot of nervous energy (especially in Froch 1 IMO)

[bripez]

i think its just as much mental as physical. if you are tense you tire more quickly, Groves seems to burn up quite a lot of nervous energy (especially in Froch 1 IMO)

I agree with this - before the first Froch fight he was unbeaten as a pro and probably genuinely believed that he couldn't lose.

After the manner of the second loss - and the fact that his power is probably not as great as he thought it was at the top level - is playing on his mind.

[jamesmcdonnell]

i think its just as much mental as physical. if you are tense you tire more quickly, Groves seems to burn up quite a lot of nervous energy (especially in Froch 1 IMO)

Groves definitely fights tense. It was one of the more notable things about his fight with Jack, - jack boxed far more fluidly and burned a lot less energy. Groves always looks tense.

[pyenest77]

The Groves that fought Froch in the first fight would have toyed with Jack for me. Definately a confidence thing, possibly arrogance & maybe regressed without Booth.

[CharlesListon]

Combination of leaving Booth, not having good enough stamina or durability, being too arrogant and not learning from mistakes.

x2

x3

x4 (and being Ginger doesn't necessarily help )

[LGilsenan]

Combination of leaving Booth, not having good enough stamina or durability, being too arrogant and not learning from mistakes.

Spot on

[jamesmcdonnell]

The Groves that fought Froch in the first fight would have toyed with Jack for me. Definately a confidence thing, possibly arrogance & maybe regressed without Booth.

Not at all, Jack's a good fighter, not spectacular, but very competent.

[jaymitch81]

Although leaving Booth imo was a mistake none of us really know the in's and out's of that split and its certainly no forgone conclusion that Groves would be a world champion under Booth.

I think going back to the Froch fights Groves was boxing very well and winning both fights convincingly at the time they were halted and although the 2nd fight was ended conclusively the first one in many people's eyes was very premature.

I had the Jack fight as a draw and ultimately could be seen to go either way but again I thought Groves boxed very well and recovered from that early knock down.

I actually think the damage will be done now psychologically to Groves and this latest setback against Jack will hurt more than either of the Froch fights imo. Not sure where he goes from here and can't see him sitting around at domestic or european level.

[samwbr]

Groves was not winning the second Froch fight, either convincingly or closely.

[danamba7]

Groves was not winning the second Froch fight, either convincingly or closely.

Yeah I've heard a few people say that before but I just dont see it. Fairy close tentative fight, Groves caught Froch a couple of times, Froch had some decent attacks to the body. Groves wasn't winning IMO.