What are Groves' chances in Germany?

[Kirkland Laing]

Warren must be slipping. He signed DeGale, saw him lose to groves and then signed Groves. Now both guys are fighting away from home in fights they can easily both be robbed in. (Fenster, they'll both need a knockout to get a draw. ) Warren losing the purse bids for the DeGale fight I can understand, but letting Groves take the fight in Germany as well? Weird. If both of them lose the rematch isn't very sellable. Maybe the Box Nation subscriber base is just guys who want to see Brits fighting and the rematch doesn't suffer if they lose to foreigners. Definitely not Warren's normal MO.

[Master]

It is a calculated risk which groves and Booth have taken. The intention is to win the title and Groves is good enough to win it, even Germany. Remember Murray got a draw there against Strum, so German guilt complex may mean Groves could win a close fight.

If Groves loses he can say he was robbed, inexperienced and was a good learning curve for him.

If Groves wins he will defend the title against lower tier fighters which may include Anderson and De Gale before he moves up to the bigger boys. Either way his career has been shortened as he is moving a lot faster than he should be for his own good.

[armyash]

It is a calculated risk which groves and Booth have taken. The intention is to win the title and Groves is good enough to win it, even Germany. Remember Murray got a draw there against Strum, so German guilt complex may mean Groves could win a close fight.

If Groves loses he can say he was robbed, inexperienced and was a good learning curve for him.

If Groves wins he will defend the title against lower tier fighters which may include Anderson and De Gale before he moves up to the bigger boys. Either way his career has been shortened as he is moving a lot faster than he should be for his own good.

That's my biggest problem with the fight. I believe he can win the title, I just reckon it would't hurt to wait 12-18 months. A lot of people were saying that the Anderson rematch was a backwards step for Groves it will be hard to justify making it for a world title further down the road should Groves win it.

[Tam Seddon]

A loss wont harm him unless he gets destroyed early. Winning this fight would not be the biggest upset, I believe he has a chance but as I said in another thread, if he wins where does he go? He may fight unknowns for a year or 2 then put in with the likes of Bute, Ward, Kessler etc. Too soon to be going for this title it's crazy.

I don't understand it, he's a good ticket seller and is probably making good money defending his British and Commonwealth belts while selling out arenas. It's a way of swerving the euro belt and avoiding Degale but at what cost?

I personally don't see how this is a way of swerving Degale though, this is Groves advancing his career. I believe he should take this risk and if it pays off it shows how far ahead of Degale he is.

Degale needs to win some more fights and earn another shot at Groves. Imagine in a year or twos time if Groves has the title and Degale improves and gets a better record a world title rematch with Groves will be appealing.

I don't believe Groves and Booth would have accepted this fight if they didn't believe they could win it. Groves is a live challenger and needs to move on with his career. Why wait defending against British or European challengers, when you have a world title shot?

I believe he has done the right thing here and I hope he puts on a big performance and wins the title. It would be really good to see IMO. I think Groves should do a defence or two in the UK and with the experience he gains I think he could give Abraham a good fight. Not been too impressed with Abraham during the super 6 and he's not the biggest fighter at 168, I think down the line Groves would have a great chance of beating him.

Tam,

Solid post. Groves has potential. He's young and 14-0. If he gets by Stieglitz, why not defend the title against mandatories while he gains some experience? It's not a bad plan in my opinion. Before you know it, he's 20-0 with world experience having honed his craft. Stieglitz is a big test. It's the same Stieglitz that Kessler was considering fighting. Actually, when you think of it that way, you have to give Groves props for stepping up. Fighting a world-level guy at 14-0 is commendable.

It made a big impression on me when I saw Andre Dirrell's black eye on twitter from sparring with Groves. Dirrell then stated that Groves was very good.

I think Groves really does have a chance to make an impression to the 168 weight class. He is 24, and I personally feel that making risks will pay off. He was a good amatuer and is showing that he has class and beating Stieglitz will push him into the division.

We all know the 168 weight class is full of depth, but if Groves can gain some experience and build his name I personally think Groves can be a contender to the likes of; Froch, Kessler, Ward, Cleverley ( would be a big uk fight) and Dirrell.

Lets see how he gets on though because it really could go one way or the other for him, and I hope for Groves' sake he puts on a show.

[0james0]

I think if an opportunity presents itself, then why not take it? A fIghter should want to test themselves against the best and for all of Groves lack of experience, he's had a real fast tracked career.

He's boxed at the Olympics as well as had a glittering amatuer career. Sparred with the best in the world many times, in the build up to the De Gale fight I think Dirrell was just one of many top named fighters.

Plus for all his failings, David Haye is a boxing fanatic and hanging out with him and Booth has got him used to the big occasions with good advice in his ear.

I think Groves outboxes the German to a narrow points win. Split decision of course (it's Germany afterall)

[Tam Seddon]

I think if an opportunity presents itself, then why not take it? A fIghter should want to test themselves against the best and for all of Groves lack of experience, he's had a real fast tracked career.

He's boxed at the Olympics as well as had a glittering amatuer career. Sparred with the best in the world many times, in the build up to the De Gale fight I think Dirrell was just one of many top named fighters.

Plus for all his failings, David Haye is a boxing fanatic and hanging out with him and Booth has got him used to the big occasions with good advice in his ear.

I think Groves outboxes the German to a narrow points win. Split decision of course (it's Germany afterall)

He has won the ABA's twice and with his wins over Degale he certainly does have a strong pedigree, certainly world title bound and this is why I do think although a risk with him not having the most experience especially when comparing his career with Stegliez', I just some how think hes got the class to do it. At 24 with the way his career has gone so far, you do feel that there is a bright future for him, we will see, hope he can do it.

[Ant Live]

Groves has pulled out due to injury. Hopefully, Abraham or Ward can step in and get this fight.

What's going on with Ward?

[Dropanuke]

What would happen if Stieglitz got in the ring with froch?

[Carl9234]

I read on sky sports website yesterday that degale had turned down the chance to step in for groves, just wondered if anyone had heard anything similar and if it's true what people make of his decision?