Twelve years ago today, after the controversial stoppage by Howard Foster in the ninth round of their first iconic fight, Carl ‘The Cobra’ Froch and George ‘The Saint’ Groves gave us their eagerly awaited rematch.
And boy, did it deliver.
British boxing back on top
Froch vs Groves 1 was monumental in turning British boxing into a major spectacle once again.
This was the biggest domestic rivalry British boxing had seen since Chris Eubank and Nigel Benn in the 1990s.
From the drama of George Groves putting Carl Froch down in the opening round, to dominating much of the fight through to the eighth, it was a genuine grudge match that fans had been calling for.
The stoppage in the ninth round caused major controversy. Groves had won every round up to that point, while Froch had enjoyed little success throughout the contest.
Groves appeared to tire in the ninth. As Froch unleashed his first sustained attack of the fight, Howard Foster stepped in to stop the bout.
It simply could not end like that.
80,000 at Wembley
Six months later, the rematch was on.
If you thought the first fight was massive, try 80,000 people — a record attendance at the time — inside England’s biggest stadium, Wembley.
This fight catapulted British boxing back into the spotlight. The rivalry, the hype and the expectations made it a true blockbuster event.
The fight began differently to the first encounter. Carl Froch’s biggest adjustment appeared to be his patience.
Groves boxed well in the early rounds. He was not as explosive as he had been in the first fight, but he used his lateral movement, feints and counter-punching to good effect.
However, Froch was always known for his exceptional engine. He constantly pressed forwards and forced Groves towards the ropes, limiting the space available for him to work.
By the eighth round, Froch was producing a far more technically disciplined performance. He backed Groves onto the ropes one final time before unleashing a monstrous right hand onto his chin.
Out cold.
British boxing was back in the limelight, and The Cobra got his final hurrah in front of 80,000 people.
(I’m sure you’ve never heard him mention it before.)
