Carl Froch climbed off the canvas to stop the brilliant George Groves to retain his WBA and IBF World Super Middleweight titles in the ninth round of their epic battle at the sold-out Phones 4u Arena in Manchester.
Groves stunned the Froch in the opening round of the contest, delivering on his pre-fight vow land right hands and take the fight to the champion, by dumping the champion on his back with one of those brutal right hands. The Cobra managed to get to his feet and survive the round, and the tone was set.
The Londoner continued to pepper Froch with the right hand throughout the fight while Froch’s moments of success were fleeting. ‘Saint’ George was able to take those attacks and counter at as he retained the upper hand in the first half of the fight, before one of the greatest rounds seen in a British ring in a sixth when Groves landed some huge shots and Froch responded in kind.
After that thrilling three minutes, rounds seven and eight simmered before the incredible drama of the ninth and ultimately final round.
Groves began the round well but a left hand clipped Groves a minute into the action before a thudding right briefly staggered the challenger. That was all the invitation the Froch needed and he poured the pressure onto the Londoner, with Groves holding onto Froch in the champions corner before Froch worked him over to the ropes and peppered him with shots until referee Howard Foster called a halt to proceedings and Froch was still the champion.
CARL FROCH POST FIGHT INTERVIEW / REACTION TO FROCH v GROVES / BATTLE OF BRITAIN
PADDY FITZPATRICK POST FIGHT INTERVIEW / REACTION TO CARL FROCH v GEORGE GROVES . INTERVIEW BY KUGAN CASSIUS
EDDIE HEARN REACTION TO CARL FROCH v GEORGE GROVES – POST FIGHT INTERVIEW++
Carl Froch speaks to the press after his win over George Groves
George Groves speaks to the press after losing to Carl Froch in Manchester.
PRINCE NASEEM HAMED REACTS TO CARL FROCH v GEORGE GROVES
