Yesterday, in one of the biggest fights in the history of British boxing, IBF/WBA super middleweight champion Carl Froch (33-2, 24 KOs) scored an eighth round KO over arch-rival George Groves (19-2, 15 KOs)at Wembley Stadium in London. Unlike their first encounter, the rematch was very tactical. But not unlike their first bout, Groves enjoyed some success for his strong right hand, jarring the champion in Rounds 4 and 5. (Image courtesy of HBO)
Nevertheless, during the middle rounds Froch started gaining momentum as the 26-year-old Groves appeared to look a bit compromised as Froch began to find the range with regularity.
But the resourceful, explosive Groves managed to rock the champion again in Round 7 and the tide had turned… Or so it seemed.
Taking from where he left off in the previous stanza, Groves was in control of Round 8 until he was leveled by a thunderous Froch right hand. Groves fell flat on his back as his left leg bent and appeared to have gone limp. The fall prompted American referee Charlie Fitch to halt the action before completing the count.
Carl Froch, who turns 37 in four weeks, solidified himself as a superstar of boxing and a top 10 pound-for-pound fighter.
“I’ve been involved in some magnificent fights with top, top world champions. This is, by far, the biggest and best crowd I’ve boxed in front of. I’m proud,” Froch said. “George Groves should be proud. It was neck and neck in there.”
“Sometimes one punch can be the difference and, unfortunately for George, he was at the wrong end of a right hand from a seasoned challenger like myself.” “I stuck to my boxing and timed my right hand to perfection. Nothing will ever top boxing in Wembley Stadium, the national stadium in my own country.”
“I’m very disappointed,” Groves said. “I’ll go back and watch it back and be even more disappointed. I feel like I let myself down. That fight was there for me to win. I hope the fans stick with me and keep supporting me. I’ll do them proud.”
Froch vs Groves 2 stats & facts
Title(s): WBA and IBF Super Middleweight (Froch defending)
Attendance: 80,000 (estimated)
Odds: Froch was the clear favourite at 1/4 in the first fight but was a closer contest this time. The Cobra was still odds-on favorite to win at 11/8 at fight time
According to CompuBox, Froch connected on 96 of 349 shots (28 percent) while Groves landed 126 of 314 (40 percent)
Some in the media had Groves winning the first four rounds and ahead 67-66 at the time of the knockout
Sporting a 69 percent knockouts-to-fights ratio, Froch has won 4 of his last 5 bouts by KO (UD 12, Mikkel Kessler)
Entering the bout, Groves had boxed a total of 104 rounds and boasted a 75 percent knockouts-to-fights ratio
Purses: Froch could earn up to ?10 million (or $13.6 million); Groves will earn ?1.5million and ?2.5million (or $2 million to 3.4 million)
Following the fight, Froch got down on one knee in front of his long-time girlfriend, Rachael Cordingley.
The champ explained “I told her how much I love her. I didn’t officially propose – I couldn’t sort the ring out. But I will be marrying her. Tonight will be remembered for defending my titles but I did ask Rachael a sneaky question. It’s not official. She said yes.”
Read more at http://www.fightsaga.com/news/item/4516-Froch-vs-Groves-2-Stats,-facts-highlights#PtTiqSfS56BIAAEr.99
