A Rivalry Revisited: Carl Froch vs. George Groves
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The United Kingdom is responsible for providing some of the best athletes the sport of boxing has ever known. Names such as David Haye and Prince Naseem immediately spring to mind, both of which possessed the gift of the gab, but most importantly, the ability to fight.
With the sport comes animosity, and with animosity, comes hatred. This hatred eventually reaches a mutual boiling point and turns into a good, old-fashioned rivalry.
Britain has hosted numerous internal rivalries throughout the years, with its most prolific being between renowned super middleweight’s Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank, who continue to verbally spar despite sharing 21 grueling rounds with one another.
As one of the world’s more powerful fighting nations, it was expected that this wouldn’t be the last personal feud to take the British boxing world by storm, and thankfully it wasn’t.
Carl Froch is easily one of the more under-appreciated boxers to come out of the United Kingdom. His short yet storied career saw him claim the WBC, WBA and IBF super-middleweight titles, only dropping two defeats in the process (one of which he avenged just years later). Despite being perceived as brash and often cocky, Froch was immensely popular within his home country, defending his titles a magnitude of three times in the capital city of London, and birthplace, Nottingham.
By 2013 it was apparent that “The Cobra” was reaching the end of his professional career. Not due to his performances, as he was still perfectly capable of brushing off the majority of super-middleweights, but more because of the fact he was 35 years of age. Boxing, in many ways, is a young man’s game. Of course, seasoned veterans like Bernard Hopkins have proven their capability to box up until the ages of 50, nevertheless, that decision isn’t what 99 percent of the sport’s fighters desire. The dream (usually) is to retire in your mid-to-late 30’s, with enough money in the bank to live your foreseeable future comfortably. Froch was poised to do this but had some business to attend to first.
A young man by the name of George Groves was scaling the division’s ranks, finishing reasonably-decent opposition in quick succession. By 2013 he had racked up a record of 19 victories with zero defeats, boasting a 79 percent knockout ratio. On top of these impressive statistics, Groves had faced two previous opponents of Froch, coasting to victory with ease in both encounters.
As most young Brits are, Groves was confident and unafraid to speak foully of his opponents, including Carl Froch. This sparked a heated rivalry for the ages that will go down as one of the divisions best.
Controversy
In May 2013, Carl Froch was set to defend his IBF super-middleweight championship against Mikkel Kessler, one of two men to previously defeat him. He successfully retained his title via unanimous decision, claiming the WBA strap in the process. On the undercard of this event was George Groves, who battered the respected Noe Gonzalez Alcoba en route to a fifth-round stoppage, capturing the vacant WBA Inter-continental super-middleweight title. Despite a clear discrepancy in age and experience, the two were already engaged in a woeful war of words.
The young and hungry Groves accepted an invitation to become a sparring partner for Mikkel Kessler, a former world champion, in preparation for his rematch with Carl Froch. Due to helping out his May 25 opponent, Froch labeled Groves a traitor, unsure why he wouldn’t stay loyal to his fellow countryman. Groves never took too kindly to these words, claiming he gained “invaluable experience” from sparring the much more accomplished Kessler.
As the two walked away victorious from their bouts, and Groves solidifying himself as the mandatory IBF contender, Froch was left with no other option but to fight to young up-and-comer if he was looking to remain at the weight class; he had absolutely no issues with putting a legalized beating on his adversary.
Dubbed as “The Battle of Britain”, the pair were scheduled to throw down on November 23 in front of an electric Manchester crowd, in what would mark off the first of two highly anticipated bouts. It was Froch who received all the love as he walked out; he had represented his nation to the highest degree for many years, and they were eternally grateful.
As the bell echoed around the Phones4U arena, George Groves adopted his typical wide stance, keeping his lead hand at hip level. By doing so, he was able to successfully land the jab more frequently, due to it being out of sight and therefore harder to react to. It was evident that Groves boasted a significant speed advantage, bouncing around the ring while landing his cross with sheer accuracy and precision. Froch, being the battle-tested veteran, opted to throw a right hook that missed, and afterward was too slow in acquiring his guard. Groves took full advantage of this, flattening the champion with a straight right (counter) that landed flush. Carl Froch was down for the second time in his professional career, this time against a young, hungry bull who was eager to put an end to his fairytale retirement plan. In spite of beating the count, Froch was lucky to make it out of the first round, clearly stunned as he took his place on the stool.
For the ensuing rounds, Groves continued to outbox his elderly foe, drawing reactions with feints and actively scoring with a precise jab followed by razor-sharp right hands. The commentary team was just as shocked as Froch himself at the sight of the 25-year-old achieving what he set out to do, but most importantly, what he said he’d do.
However, by the seventh round, Groves’ inexperience set in his defense got sloppy, and he started to overextend with his punches. This allowed Froch – who was somehow still standing after eating a whirlwind of big punches – to wobble the fatigued youngster. By the eighth, Froch had his opponent stumbling around the ring due to a series of hooks. Referee Howard Foster spared Groves of any further damage, waving off the contest two minutes and 34 seconds into the eighth round.
The decision was controversial, to say the least, and as Froch celebrated an emphatic comeback alongside his team, the Manchester crowd let their frustrations be known.
“I thought it was a fair enough stoppage,” exclaimed the champion, “He was struggling, he was looking at the floor [and] his head was turning away. That last one or two shots can do serious damage in this sport.”
As the microphone was passed to Groves, the crowd let their thoughts be known – he had won over near enough everybody watching through his fierce display of the sweet science. This rivalry was far from over.
“Considering the punches both men took, considering what was on the line, I think he could’ve let it go on for a little bit longer” – Former champion and commentator Jim Watt on the stoppage.
A Record-breaking rematch
Carl Froch handed George Groves his first career defeat in contentious fashion, walking away with his two world championships in the process. The calls for a rematch were imminent, with both men stating countless times that they were willing to trade fists once again under the bright lights.
With money to be made and a score to settle, the much-awaited rematch was set for May 31, 2014, this time in the UK’s premier boxing stadium of Wembley.
Tensions were flaring, and this became noticeable during Sky Sports’ notable boxing show ‘Gloves are Off’, which allows upcoming opponents to discuss their bout one on one, with little to no interruption. Essentially, it helps promote fights in a fan-friendly, enjoyable way. The infamous handshake between Froch and Groves took place on this show: as Froch reached across the table to shake hands, Groves pulled him inwards, prompting the champion to retaliate. This only further hyped the fight in the eyes of the British public, who were keen to see if the second bout was as electric as the first. It proved to be record-breaking, as Wembley Stadium hosted 80,000 excited fans, a feat that remained intact up until Anthony Joshua vs. Wladimir Klitschko in 2017.
The champion entered the rematch ranked No. 10 on the Pound for Pound rankings by The Ring magazine, however, due to his performance in their first fight (albeit winning), he was no longer a heavy favorite. One thing was indisputable – he would have to start the contest better than the first. Froch would need to crawl out of his shell and outbox the faster, and let’s face it, better boxer; at least early on, as Froch’s entire game is built around surviving up until the later rounds and completely taking over.
Carl Froch opened up as the aggressor, which is a common theme in most of his fights. His typical low guard made it easier for his opponent to land quick jabs, nonetheless, he brushed this off, responding with multiple jabs of his own. These jabs were stiff, clearly doing more damage when contrasted to Groves’. The opening round was fairly equal, with a case being made for both gentlemen to receive the ten points. Personally, I gave it to Froch, as not only were his jabs more precise, but he used the ring to walk down and cut off the opposition, further cementing his status as the aggressor.
By the third round, Froch was putting together combinations successfully, tagging Groves with the majority of attempted shots. Groves, who won the previous round due to his big left hook and rapid right hand, was unable to fall into rhythm due to his counterparts jab.
In what was a complete 180 to their first experience sharing a ring, IBF and WBA super-middleweight champion Carl Froch was in full control, mixing up his offense well to establish a comfortable lead. The eighth round was by far the most interesting, as Froch seemed to be getting frustrated, marching in with strikes as opposed to setting up his attacks with the jab. George Groves could feel the fight slowly but surely slipping into his grasp. All he had to do was stay sharp and use his feet.
Just as the fight was falling out of his favor, Carl Froch had Groves pressed against the ropes, and this is where he finished the fight with a sublime straight right hand.
First and foremost he feinted, looking to gauge a reaction from his opponent. Immediately after he followed up with a left hook, which was intended to be a throwaway punch – it’s purpose is not to land. As Groves was focused on that punch and countering with a hook of his own, he was clobbered with a straight right, which landed directly on the chin. The fight was called off; no count was needed.
Carl Froch had defeated George Groves once again, this time in a more convincing effort. He displayed his legitimate ability to box, something which he was unable to do in their first fight. The jab was undoubtedly the major talking point, aside from the incredible knockout punch, of course.
“This is the best moment in the history of my boxing career,” stated Froch, as the pair once again sat ringside with another.
Carl Froch went on to retire, and rightfully so; it’s not common for a 36-year-old to be reigning world champion, therefore walking away on top was lucrative indeed. Not to mention the hefty payday received for his rematch with Groves. He is currently a member of The Panel on Sky Sports Boxing, where he analyses upcoming fights.
As for Groves, he too has retired, but not before competing for another four years. During this time faced the likes of Chris Eubank Jr, Badou Jack, and Callum Smith, with the latter being his final professional outing.
After two bitter back and forth bouts, British boxing proved to be the real winner. The intense rivalry broke attendance records, grossed over £22 million (in the rematch) and was listed as Event of the Year in 2014. Froch’s stunning punch captured Knockout of the Year, also.
The feud will go down as one of the more personal and potent rivalries to come out of the United Kingdom. Bad blood was blazing and fists were flying. Topped off by a tense battle in Wembley Stadium with two world championships at stake.
I will remember Carl Froch vs George Groves as one of the more important conflicts in British boxing history. Growing up watching the sport, both Froch and Groves were central figures on my television screen, and their fights only elevated the reputation of both men. If you haven’t done so already, take a moment to watch each one in its entirety. You will not be disappointed.
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