BoxRec

if the fight were made today, who wins?

I think Groves. De Gale keeps on switching off in fights and will get outhustled.

DeGale.

Their first fight was close, but DeGale has improved, although I get the impression that he might have peaked, whereas Groves has regressed.

DeGale can't really punch, so I think Groves would go the distance & lose on points.

big lennox wrote:I think Groves. De Gale keeps on switching off in fights and will get outhustled.

agreed. Its a tough one.
Groves goes hard from the 1st round and his gas tank drops round by round.
DeGale tends to take rounds off so still has gas into the later rounds.
Close decision either way for me but today I have to lean to Groves...

DeGale in a good fight. I thought DeGale would win by KO if they ever fought again but I'm not so sure. I think it goes to points a JDG wins by a few rounds.

Degale seems to have lost momentum, and Groves' punches seemed to have regained some long lost spite last time out. Their next fights will be more important in sussing out just where they both stand as fighters, but right now it's hard to call it and it's hard to really care about this rematch at the moment in the same way as I have done in the past.

Neither really deserves a place amongst the British and Irish SMW greats at the moment and the rivalry isn't exactly Benn-Eubank is it?

DeGale points.

A lot of close rounds where Chunky shows his skill. He switches off his usual 4 rounds which Groves nicks by decent use of his jab.

Scorecards around 115-113.

I get the impression it would always be close when they box. They compliment each other well.

De Gale wins split dec.

Stuarty30 wrote:DeGale in a good fight. I thought DeGale would win by KO if they ever fought again but I'm not so sure. I think it goes to points a JDG wins by a few rounds.

This

Groves. He has Chunky's number IMO.

Does a win over Murray for Groves sway anything?

About a year or so ago I thought Degale would win convincingly, but now I think it's much closer (and not simply because GG beat Murray). I still lean Degale but I think it would be fairly tight.

On form Degale but I don't think form matters all that much with these two. I would pick Degale but wouldn't be surprised if Groves did it.

Degale all day every day and thrice on Sundays,

I don't think we'll ever be able to split them

Draw

Gone for De Gale but not sure. Be a crap fight though wouldnt it.

Whats Smiths next move more to point?

Groves just beat Eduard Gutknecht by unanimous decision, does this change anybodys thoughts on a potential fight with DeGale?

I am staying with Groves. DeGale is good. A very hard man. But he's not as skilful or as talented as he thinks. Groves on the other hand now seems acutely aware of his own shortcomings. It will always be close between them.

big lennox wrote:I think Groves. De Gale keeps on switching off in fights and will get outhustled.

exactly this ^

Tough call, DeGale has done what Groves should have done and won the world title, Groves has fought a slightly higher level in Froch but only one opponent, DeGale switches off and tends to rely on being classed as awkward to get away with being a bit crap at times, Groves is inconsistent within a single fight, Groves may still be carrying legacy of Froch fights BUT DeGale may still be carrying the legacy of Groves fight. First time around Groves clearly got under DeGale's skin and I certainly saw that win coming, I'd say there is every chance the same thing will happen again with DeGale winding himself up and getting too hung up on Groves to stick to his job. I also think the fight will never happen whilst it is DeGale that is champion, he'll take more pleasure in denying Groves the fight than he ever would in beating him.

Remains a genuine pick 'em for me...which also makes it so good and especially with that back story of mutual loathing thrown into the mix.

Personally, I think it might come down to whether Groves is still able/prepared to make DeGale box at a high/constant pace he does not like and therefore force some mistakes and pinch some of the close rounds.

Think that Big Lennox made a valid point...even the new, improved world champion James - does tend to try and nick 30/40 seconds breaks far too often and someone of the right calibre can land some good, eye-catching and hurtful shots.

These breathers - which James has always been prone to taking - offer Groves an opportunity of sorts.

I think Groves is good enough to force things intelligently and Shane McGuigan might be thinking along those lines too.....don't try and knock DeGale out because he can do it to you...just press consistently and be the busier guy at the end of the 12 rounds.

Bodyshot3 wrote:Remains a genuine pick 'em for me...which also makes it so good and especially with that back story of mutual loathing thrown into the mix.

Personally, I think it might come down to whether Groves is still able/prepared to make DeGale box at a high/constant pace he does not like and therefore force some mistakes and pinch some of the close rounds.

Think that Big Lennox made a valid point...even the new, improved world champion James - does tend to try and nick 30/40 seconds breaks far too often and someone of the right calibre can land some good, eye-catching and hurtful shots.

These breathers - which James has always been prone to taking - offer Groves an opportunity of sorts.

I think Groves is good enough to force things intelligently and Shane McGuigan might be thinking along those lines too.....don't try and knock DeGale out because he can do it to you...just press consistently and be the busier guy at the end of the 12 rounds.

I would have picked degale every night of the week until groves started working with Shane.