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Carl Froch: George Groves is not tough enough to stay with me Carl Froch: George Groves is not tough enough to stay with me
(35 minutes later)
It was a grey night in Barnsley, and the boxing fraternity were chattering about the merits of a couple of boxers with ambitions of making the Great Britain team at the Sydney Olympics two years later, Courtney Fry and Audley Harrison.It was a grey night in Barnsley, and the boxing fraternity were chattering about the merits of a couple of boxers with ambitions of making the Great Britain team at the Sydney Olympics two years later, Courtney Fry and Audley Harrison.
But Ron Boddy, a respected London boxing face, suggested I take a look further down the bill at those 1998 ABA finals in the Metrodome, in the 71kg category, where another performer moved a little differently from all his amateur colleagues. There was hardly an ounce of fat on his hard frame and he did not stand up straight as recommended, but he had a predator’s slightly forward lean, eyes blazing and his left glove poised at the top of his thigh like a spear – a look also discouraged in the sport’s orthodoxy.But Ron Boddy, a respected London boxing face, suggested I take a look further down the bill at those 1998 ABA finals in the Metrodome, in the 71kg category, where another performer moved a little differently from all his amateur colleagues. There was hardly an ounce of fat on his hard frame and he did not stand up straight as recommended, but he had a predator’s slightly forward lean, eyes blazing and his left glove poised at the top of his thigh like a spear – a look also discouraged in the sport’s orthodoxy.
Carl Froch did not win that night. His opponent, Sergeant Chris Bessey, a seasoned international and career soldier, had too many wrinkles for him, but the vulpine kid from Nottingham looked the most likely to make it as a pro. He had the style, the punch and the attitude. And certainly he left a strong impression on those professional promoters who had gathered at boxing’s annual meat market.Carl Froch did not win that night. His opponent, Sergeant Chris Bessey, a seasoned international and career soldier, had too many wrinkles for him, but the vulpine kid from Nottingham looked the most likely to make it as a pro. He had the style, the punch and the attitude. And certainly he left a strong impression on those professional promoters who had gathered at boxing’s annual meat market.
Fry and Harrison made the Great Britain team, Froch did not – yet he resisted all offers to “turn over”, as the vest-wearing community describe defection to the paid ranks. He was, in fact, a dedicated amateur boxer with no inclination to become a professional. For all that he looked like a pro, he thought like an amateur.Fry and Harrison made the Great Britain team, Froch did not – yet he resisted all offers to “turn over”, as the vest-wearing community describe defection to the paid ranks. He was, in fact, a dedicated amateur boxer with no inclination to become a professional. For all that he looked like a pro, he thought like an amateur.
How far Froch has come in the 16 years since. He held out for a while, but the politics of amateur boxing eventually drove him into the arms of the pros and, after spells with “other promoters” (he declines to even refer to them by name), he has landed up with Eddie Hearn. The young promoter’s Matchroom stable is fairly bulging with quality fighters, all of whom keep the Sky Sports boxing programme ticking over with as much buzz as was generated in Frank Warren’s association with the station, and Froch is the star of the team.How far Froch has come in the 16 years since. He held out for a while, but the politics of amateur boxing eventually drove him into the arms of the pros and, after spells with “other promoters” (he declines to even refer to them by name), he has landed up with Eddie Hearn. The young promoter’s Matchroom stable is fairly bulging with quality fighters, all of whom keep the Sky Sports boxing programme ticking over with as much buzz as was generated in Frank Warren’s association with the station, and Froch is the star of the team.
The once dedicated amateur is now able to demand £8m for what could well be his last appearance in a boxing ring this Saturday night at Wembley Stadium against George Groves, the mandated challenger for his IBF and WBA versions of the world super-middleweight title. Groves, at 26, is 11 years younger and was also once an amateur of immense promise, but one whose ambitions have always been firmly directed towards making as much money as he can from his craft. The once-dedicated amateur is now able to demand £8m for what could well be his last appearance in a boxing ring this Saturday night at Wembley Stadium against George Groves, the mandated challenger for his IBF and WBA versions of the world super-middleweight title. Groves, at 26, is 11 years younger and was also once an amateur of immense promise, but one whose ambitions have always been firmly directed towards making as much money as he can from his craft.
As the champion sees it: “I’m in a very privileged position, financially. I’m fighting now for my legacy, my place in British boxing history. That’s what this fight is for.”As the champion sees it: “I’m in a very privileged position, financially. I’m fighting now for my legacy, my place in British boxing history. That’s what this fight is for.”
And, he admits, he may not fight again after Saturday night. “Sure, it could be my last fight. Who knows? It could be his last fight too.” Even discounting such an utterance as a marketing ploy, it is odd to hear Froch talk like this, and it is the first time I have heard him refer so bluntly to retirement. Yet he is 37, a contented partner of Rachael Cordingley and proud father of Rocco and Natalia. He is financially secure, with an impressive portfolio of property investments. Those are powerful distractions to the business of fighting.And, he admits, he may not fight again after Saturday night. “Sure, it could be my last fight. Who knows? It could be his last fight too.” Even discounting such an utterance as a marketing ploy, it is odd to hear Froch talk like this, and it is the first time I have heard him refer so bluntly to retirement. Yet he is 37, a contented partner of Rachael Cordingley and proud father of Rocco and Natalia. He is financially secure, with an impressive portfolio of property investments. Those are powerful distractions to the business of fighting.
Nevertheless, among any of his peers, Froch has always expressed attachment to the warrior instinct most convincingly. His long-time friend and trainer, Robert McCracken, himself a former world-class fighter, says he cannot think of any current boxer who likes fighting more than Froch does.Nevertheless, among any of his peers, Froch has always expressed attachment to the warrior instinct most convincingly. His long-time friend and trainer, Robert McCracken, himself a former world-class fighter, says he cannot think of any current boxer who likes fighting more than Froch does.
Groves would be wrong to misinterpret his opponent’s apparent softening, and he is unlikely to make that mistake. Froch is more wound up over this fight than any in his career, mainly because, as he admits, Groves has got to him. His task since the fight was announced in March has been to marry his anger to his long‑learned discipline.Groves would be wrong to misinterpret his opponent’s apparent softening, and he is unlikely to make that mistake. Froch is more wound up over this fight than any in his career, mainly because, as he admits, Groves has got to him. His task since the fight was announced in March has been to marry his anger to his long‑learned discipline.
“The fight should have gone longer, but the result would have been the same,” he says of their first meeting, six months ago in Manchester, when the referee Howard Foster stepped between them to save Groves in the ninth round, a call that not only set off a howl of complaints but ensured that this rematch would be the biggest occasion in British boxing in more than half a century.“The fight should have gone longer, but the result would have been the same,” he says of their first meeting, six months ago in Manchester, when the referee Howard Foster stepped between them to save Groves in the ninth round, a call that not only set off a howl of complaints but ensured that this rematch would be the biggest occasion in British boxing in more than half a century.
True to his spirit, Froch is determined to deliver what is expected of him, what Nigel Benn used to love – “a tear-up”. For all the talk about strategy and mind games, this is unlikely to be a contest mired in subtlety.True to his spirit, Froch is determined to deliver what is expected of him, what Nigel Benn used to love – “a tear-up”. For all the talk about strategy and mind games, this is unlikely to be a contest mired in subtlety.
“The fans want to see a conclusive finish. It’s quite a brutal, barbaric sport and the people who watch it want to see someone out,” he says. “That’s what I do for a living. I always like to get that finishing blow and satisfy the crowd. When you start mixing it up, you can hear the crowd and feel the vibration. It’s going to be phenomenal at Wembley.”“The fans want to see a conclusive finish. It’s quite a brutal, barbaric sport and the people who watch it want to see someone out,” he says. “That’s what I do for a living. I always like to get that finishing blow and satisfy the crowd. When you start mixing it up, you can hear the crowd and feel the vibration. It’s going to be phenomenal at Wembley.”
What inspires his self-belief is history. He knows all about fighting an opponent twice and is honest enough to acknowledge mistakes from the first occasion.What inspires his self-belief is history. He knows all about fighting an opponent twice and is honest enough to acknowledge mistakes from the first occasion.
“I had a lot of rematches in the amateurs. You don’t always know what an opponent’s going to do. I do find that I beat them more easily second time around. I’ve only had one rematch in the pros, against [Mikkel] Kessler. I did feel confident but I don’t think it makes it any easier. It was three years later. The first fight could have gone either way. I’ll be honest, I thought I lost on the first night, although I finished the stronger. There was a lot going on. I’ve had quite a few conversations with Kessler since the fight. No, you’re not going to get that with George Groves.”“I had a lot of rematches in the amateurs. You don’t always know what an opponent’s going to do. I do find that I beat them more easily second time around. I’ve only had one rematch in the pros, against [Mikkel] Kessler. I did feel confident but I don’t think it makes it any easier. It was three years later. The first fight could have gone either way. I’ll be honest, I thought I lost on the first night, although I finished the stronger. There was a lot going on. I’ve had quite a few conversations with Kessler since the fight. No, you’re not going to get that with George Groves.”
Froch cannot disguise his growing contempt for Groves, who continues to prod and provoke him, although he is keeping his animosity in check. “The first time I boxed him, I considered him a bit of a friend. I gave him props before the [James] DeGale fight and congratulated him when he won. I just expected him to be a little bit more friendly, and a little bit more humble. That didn’t happen and I was a bit surprised by that.”Froch cannot disguise his growing contempt for Groves, who continues to prod and provoke him, although he is keeping his animosity in check. “The first time I boxed him, I considered him a bit of a friend. I gave him props before the [James] DeGale fight and congratulated him when he won. I just expected him to be a little bit more friendly, and a little bit more humble. That didn’t happen and I was a bit surprised by that.”
He switches the conversation back to his chief irritant, to examine Groves’s psyche for a change. The Londoner oozes calm in interviews but Froch thinks there is unspoken turmoil in his life, beginning with his break-up last year with Adam Booth, who had guided his career since he turned pro.He switches the conversation back to his chief irritant, to examine Groves’s psyche for a change. The Londoner oozes calm in interviews but Froch thinks there is unspoken turmoil in his life, beginning with his break-up last year with Adam Booth, who had guided his career since he turned pro.
“I don’t think Adam is that money-motivated that he’d split up with a young pupil he’d been with that long,” he says. “He’s obviously done quite well out of David Haye. I spoke to him a few times and I don’t think it’s strange that he split. Him and James DeGale don’t get on with George Groves, Carl Froch doesn’t get on with George Groves, David Haye’s fallen out with George Groves. The list goes on.“I don’t think Adam is that money-motivated that he’d split up with a young pupil he’d been with that long,” he says. “He’s obviously done quite well out of David Haye. I spoke to him a few times and I don’t think it’s strange that he split. Him and James DeGale don’t get on with George Groves, Carl Froch doesn’t get on with George Groves, David Haye’s fallen out with George Groves. The list goes on.
“And he’s ended up with Paddy ‘Ritz Cracker’ [Groves’s trainer Fitzpatrick], who was helping him out in the gym. Who else is he going to use? Everybody around Groves has fallen out with him. They can’t stand him. I don’t feel anything at all about George Groves now. I’m not going to invite him around for Sunday lunch, but I’m not going to go out of my way to wish him bad, or any hurt or bad luck or anything. I’m neutral with him. I don’t need to focus on ignoring him now.”“And he’s ended up with Paddy ‘Ritz Cracker’ [Groves’s trainer Fitzpatrick], who was helping him out in the gym. Who else is he going to use? Everybody around Groves has fallen out with him. They can’t stand him. I don’t feel anything at all about George Groves now. I’m not going to invite him around for Sunday lunch, but I’m not going to go out of my way to wish him bad, or any hurt or bad luck or anything. I’m neutral with him. I don’t need to focus on ignoring him now.”
It is a curious way to put it: to not have to ignore him. But then he warms to the topic and his emotions bubble up.It is a curious way to put it: to not have to ignore him. But then he warms to the topic and his emotions bubble up.
“Yes it would be nice to get a conclusive job done, to finish him off once and for all. It could be devastating for George Groves – it could be career-ending. And I don’t wish George Groves any physical harm, but mentally, when I beat him this time and give him a right whooping, after all the noise he’s made, and all the rubbish he’s been talking, I don’t know where he’s going to go from here.”“Yes it would be nice to get a conclusive job done, to finish him off once and for all. It could be devastating for George Groves – it could be career-ending. And I don’t wish George Groves any physical harm, but mentally, when I beat him this time and give him a right whooping, after all the noise he’s made, and all the rubbish he’s been talking, I don’t know where he’s going to go from here.”
Going back through the tape of our interview, one word recurs more often than any other: tough. It is the word that defines Froch, the word that occurred to me the first night I saw him box, back in Barnsley in 1998.Going back through the tape of our interview, one word recurs more often than any other: tough. It is the word that defines Froch, the word that occurred to me the first night I saw him box, back in Barnsley in 1998.
“A fool can never be made to question his own wisdom,” he says before heading off to hit the pads. “And George Groves is very foolish. He believes his own nonsense. He cannot stay with me for 12 rounds. He’s not tough enough.”“A fool can never be made to question his own wisdom,” he says before heading off to hit the pads. “And George Groves is very foolish. He believes his own nonsense. He cannot stay with me for 12 rounds. He’s not tough enough.”