• Super-middleweight

Groves 'more than ready' for Froch

ESPN staff
September 17, 2013
George Groves believes IBF and WBA champion Carl Froch's powers are in decline © Getty Images
Enlarge

George Groves says his sparring sessions with Mikkel Kessler in the build-up to the Dane's unification bout with Carl Froch in May proved to him that he was ready to become world champion.

Groves, who takes on reigning IBF and WBA super-middelweight champion Froch at the MEN Arena on November 23, is unbeaten in 19 fights ahead of his first world title fight.

Froch took umberage at his compatriot's apparent willingness to help Kessler's preparations for the fight, which the Nottingham native won on points, but Groves insists he was solely focused on preparing for his own fight on the undercard at The O2 that night.

"My time with Kessler was great," Groves told Sky Sports News. "It let me know that I'm more than ready to compete at the level Froch is at. I know that I belong at this level, and I'm more than capable of fighting for a world title."

Froch is adamant that Groves is out of his league and has predicted a win by knockout win in Manchester, but Groves believes the 36-year-old is in decline and there for the taking.

"Carl lacks a lot technically, he'll lack a lot physically and no doubt even mentally by the time this fight comes around," Groves continued. "He's trying to frighten me with experience and the fact that he's been in big fights. I might not have challenged for a world title before but I've been in huge fights and I've had to deal with pressures outside of the ring. It's my time."

Promoter Eddie Hearn hinted that he would have preferred Groves to wait until 2014 before stepping into the ring with Froch, but the 25-year-old insists that the sooner he beats the four-time world champion, the greater the impact of the victory.

"I know I am more than capable of beating Carl Froch," Groves said. "People will say I'm a heavy underdog and I can't mix with the calibre of fighters that Froch has, but he's been in more fights and shown more about himself in the process. I've seen the vulnerable parts of his game, I've seen where he fell to pieces during fights, I've seen where other fighters have exposed him.

"He's in trouble - he's been deteriorating for the past couple of years whereas I've been improving, and if you watched my fight on the undercard of Froch-Kessler you'd have realised that if I'd boxed him that night, I'd have beaten him that night.

"I am more than ready to fight Carl Froch. I will beat Carl Froch, and I can't wait to do it. The sooner the better - while he's still regarded as the best fighter around Britain, for me to go and beat him now would be perfect timing.

"Whatever happens during this fight I will find an answer and beat Carl Froch, and I don't think he can say the same."

Download ESPN's new UK sport app, a fresh and powerful new way to follow your favourite UK sports news, scores and video.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
ESPN staff Close