Photo by HBO/Ed Mulholland – One of the biggest fights in British boxing history will take place tomorrow, as bitter super-middleweight rivals Carl Froch and George Groves will go at it in front of 80,000 fans at Wembley. Currently, seemingly everyone is talking about the fight and who will win.
Here, eight figures from the boxing world give their pre-fight predictions:
Harold “The Shadow” Knight, former co-trainer of Lennox Lewis and current co-trainer of Zhang Zhilei:
“I’m going with Froch, even though I think Groves will test Froch and give him a competitive fight. Experience and the grit and toughness Froch has will see him keeping his titles.”
Clinton Woods, former IBF light-heavyweight champion:
“I think George Groves will win the fight on points. It will be very interesting to see how Carl Froch comes out. Did Froch underestimate Groves in the first fight? I doubt it. It’s definitely going to be a good fight though.”
Graham Earl, former British and Commonwealth lightweight champion:
“I think Froch will win again, by stoppage again. I go for Froch by late stoppage, somewhere between the 8th and 12th-rounds.”
Dyah Davis, 22-4-1(10) super-middleweight contender and former James DeGale foe:
“I’m going with Groves. Although Froch pulled it out last time he’s showing signs of wear and has been for a while – I thought he was a bit over the hill as far back as the [Andre] Ward fight. I pick Groves to win a decision.”
Montell Griffin, former WBC light-heavyweight ruler:
“I honestly can’t say I know enough about Groves, aside from the first fight. It’s a tough fight to pick and I’m really only guessing but I guess Froch will win.”
Lee Murtagh, long-time contender and former Irish light-middleweight champion:
“I think it will all be over within six-rounds this time. Froch can’t allow Groves to get into his boxing and moving like last time; plus I think Froch will have to come forward more. My pick is Groves to win inside six-rounds.”
J’Leon Love, unbeaten super-middleweight contender:
“The first fight, it was a premature stoppage. Groves deserves this second shot, he had a lot of success in the first fight. I’ve spoken to a lot of sparring partners, and they’ve all told me how strong Froch is and how awkward he is, but Groves really made an outbreak for himself when they fought. And Groves has beaten good fighters like [James] DeGale and Glen Johnson. You’ve got to give the kid credit. I think he may be more hungry and I give him a chance of pulling off the upset. But you can never count out a guy like Carl Froch.”
Randall Bailey, former light-welterweight and welterweight champion:
“I don’t know as much about Groves, other than the first fight [with Froch], but I saw that fight and it was close. This time I think Froch will fight smart and win again, but it will be close and it will be tough.”
Totals: Groves 4, Froch 4
