Erik Morales cooks up some humble pie

Sometimes it seems easy to call a boxing match-up.

Evidence should suggest that the wear and tear consumed over a long career at the summit spent sparring thousands of rounds, blowing up and down in weight and frequently fighting in the trenches for the fans should eventually spell the end of a career for good - and sooner rather than later.

That rule was supposed to apply to Erik Morales who took on the frightening puncher Marcos Maidana at the weekend.

Here were the facts going in: Morales was 34 years of age, he'd had 57 fights (a large proportion of which were bruising encounters) after starting at super-bantamweight. In 2007 he's retired for two and a half years after four back-to-back losses (including two knockouts). Further, he was fighting a prime fighter with 27 knockouts from 29 wins.

Yet, Morales proceeded to rip up the form guide and shove it down the mouths of all those, including myself, who dared question whether it was safe for him to be in the ring against Maidana - let alone last the distance and be in with a shout of winning.

Here's to humble pie.

Now, Morales may not have actually won but he took the contest to the wire. The judges' scoring only told one story - 116-112, 116-112 and 114-114 to Maidana. The fans were on Morales' side though and heartily cheered his name afterwards.

I was compelled to think of another legendary Hispanic fighter, Roberto Duran, who so often had the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand. His closely-fought loss to Marvin Hagler (of which Maidana bears no comparison of course) springs to mind.

We're all talking about Morales - and he wasn't even the victor!

Consider this: Morales was rocked about in the first round and had one eye grotesquely closed shut and swollen. That he fought back and had some observers claiming he should have got the nod demonstrates so much about the man's bravery and let's not forget his skill.

Let's also not forget Maidana's part in proceedings. He too was brave and dug down to get the decision. Interestingly, he seemed more troubled by Morales' shots than the Mexican was of his. Afterwards he appeared gracious in victory and said Morales would get a rematch.

A fight for the ages with a wonderful story. Was it Morales' last hurrah? I've learned my lesson and would certainly not make any predictions on that score!


In a less satisfying encounter at the weekend former WBA Light-Welterweight Champion Vivian Harris was stopped after one round after taking on unbeaten welterweight prospect Jessie Vargas.

After being wobbled Harris told the referee he could not continue. It was a sad sight but at least Harris saved himself from further punishment.

Vivian Harris is a worry. He's been stopped in his past three fights and four fights ago a no contest was ruled after a head clash meant Harris was unable to continue.

He's not won since 2008. Harris should be saved from the sport - either he retires for his health or if he insists on continuing it must be at a lower level in Guyana, perhaps at a higher weight.

Stieglitz - Gevor: The Super-Middleweight's B-Side Fight

Khoren Gevor knows a thing or two about questionable judging.

The Armenian-born scrapper - fighting for the WBO Super Middleweight Title tomorrow night - lost a previous challenge for the WBA Middleweight strap against Felix Sturm in 2009 that had many observers crying robbery.

After appearing to score a flash knockdown - ruled for some reason as a slip - Gevor went on to impose his sort of fight, breaking down Sturm on the inside.

How did the judges see it?

Well, they saw it like this: 115-113, 115-113 and 117-111. To Sturm, the house fighter of course. One fight writer described  the judges' interpretation as "completely incomprehensible scoring". That just about sums it up.

Understandably Gevor has some reservations as he bids to win Robert Stieglitz's belt on his opponent's turf - and on his opponent's promoter's turf.

“Everyone knows that in sports there’s always a home advantage," Gevor has said.

“Unfortunately, this is especially true in boxing. I am a guest at [the promoters] SES event in their city. I have no illusions that here in Magdeburg it will be very difficult for me to win on points.

"I don’t want to insinuate that the judges or referee will consciously evaluate the fight incorrectly. But everyone knows that the home promoter pays the bills – also for the judges – and the audience contributes by cheering wildly for every punch the home boxer throws and not reacting at all to the clear punches landed by the guest boxer.

"No judges in the world are immune from that. So I know that I must win by KO – but this is okay for me. I am prepared for it and I have the goal to knock out Stieglitz. I don’t want there to be anything to discuss at the end.”

It's concerning that a talented boxer like Gevor (31-5) should feel this way but of course most experienced boxing fans will tell you that's just how it goes when you fight in an opponent's backyard.

It's not right of course - just ask Robin Reid. The Super-Middleweight was denied a fair victory against long-reigning champion Sven Ottke (who won a series of dubious decisions) in 2003. Poor Reid was constantly interrogated by the referee, given a warning after landing a punch and had a genuine knockdown ruled as a slip. He didn't get the decision despite appearing to - despite the referee's outrageous behaviour - win more rounds than his opponent. One wonders how he found the strength to carry on in the sport after that disgraceful evening.

Back to Gevor's forthcoming fight and for my reckoning, and with all due respect, Stieglitz is far from being an elite champion. He has good power and brings experience but in two bouts where he stepped up in class - against Alejandro Berrio and Librado Andrade - he was stopped.

Since winning his belt he has made three defences against mediocre opposition.

In a division stuffed with the talents of Carl Froch, Andre Ward, Mikkel Kessler, Arthur Abraham, Andre Dirrell and Lucian Bute; Stieglitz is not even a top-five fighter, despite his belt.

However, that may not matter for Stieglitz. If he continues to fly under the radar he can make easier defences and bank the cash without facing the big boys. That's not healthy for the sport and shows how devalued many world title belts have become.

Don't blame Stieglitz - he's just playing the game.


* Postscript: Well, sadly there was a controversial ending to this fight.

Reports state that Stieglitz was the sharper, more accurate puncher, while Gevor was as game as ever, coming forward and trying to press his advantage.

Things turned in the tenth round though.

Gevor, frustrated in a clinch, rabbit punched his opponent. After being broken up, the two fighters clinched again, with Stieglitz wrestled to the ground by Gevor.

Stieglitz got up, displaying a laceration above his right eye and Gevor was disqualified.

So incensed was Gevor that he argued with Stieglitz's cornermen and apparently attacked the referee for good measure.

That's not the sort of image boxing needs.

New Look Boxing News

Today sees the launch of a new look Boxing News - the longest running boxing magazine still in publication, dating back to 1909.

The magazine - or paper, as some of the traditionalists like to refer to it - has undergone a few changes since Tris Dixon took over as editor from Claude Abrams in 2010. These include changing the date Boxing News comes out from Friday to Thursday, while other new features have been introduced, such as having a weekly guest columnist.

Now whenever a long-standing publication undergoes a change a lot of people used to and content with the current order of things will often grumble.

Glancing at internet boxing forums this morning that seems to prove the point with naturally opinionated posters complaining the design too closely resembles an MMA publication. The point has been made in connection with Boxing News' sister publication, Fighting Fit, which has more of an MMA focus.

However, while change might not always be welcome it is an inevitable fact in the publishing world as magazines and newspapers seek to progress, as well as keep in touch with the changing times. Let's not forget too that the evolution of internet and declining publication sales (of which Boxing News has apparently bucked the trend and continues to prosper, I must add) means editors (or their bosses) are always looking for new ways to keep ahead of the game - or just keep up.

As a nostalgic person who misses the days of Boxing News resembling something more akin to a broadsheet paper I must say I'm still not sure if the new design is my cup of tea (particularly the use of 'News' to represent the 'I' of 'Boxing').

That probably says more about my tastes though!

I have a feeling the design will grow on people. The changes being implemented under the stewardship of Dixon, including regular online features - see: http://www.boxingnewsonline.net/ - are steps to helping modernise the magazine, diversify its audience and push for continued, or even improve, solid sales figures.

That can't be a bad thing for boxing of which Boxing News has always been a wonderful ambassador most humble writers covering the sport can only aspire to achieve.

101 years and not out. That's not bad going eh?

DeGale - Groves: The build-up continues

Intrigue continues to mount as James DeGale and George Groves step up their preparation for next month's mouth-watering contest.

As things stands it appears that only DeGale's British title is at stake, although that's not to rule out the belt Groves brings to the table - the Commonwealth strap - also being up for grabs.

No matter what title or titles are being contested this is still effectively a domestic undercard contest and one wonders what Welshman Nathan Cleverly, who is fighting for the WBO Light Heavyweight title, makes of it all. He is the headliner on the night after all.

Perhaps not having the hassle of the limelight might be a blessing in disguise.

George Groves is currently in Miami training alongside his mentor the heavyweight champion David Haye and has conducted sparring sessions with the mercurial Super-Middleweight Andre Dirrell - a world-level fighter. This seems like a sensible move in preparation for a snappy, flash contestant like DeGale.

James DeGale has based himself in Essex under the notoriously tough taskmaster Jim McDonnell. The man called 'Chunky' said he blows up to 190 pounds outside of fights but it's unlikely he won't come into this contest in great condition given McDonnell's reputation.

Some of McDonnell's previous training orders have included getting fighters to pull along cars with passengers sat inside, while it was rumoured he even got one former fighter to sleep in a separate bed to his wife in order to conserve energy!

This week George Groves' promotional team Hayemaker have thrown a barbed counter toward DeGale's side with a heavily-edited video designed to make 'Chunky' look foolish. Entitled 'James Defail', it can be found here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjDBy-JJrsA

James DeGale hasn't being keeping quiet either (no surprise there). He's hit back at Groves as a "chinny" fighter.

Here's what he had to say: "There is something wrong with his chin, there has to be if he keeps going over all the time, and I will exploit that."

DeGale has based his theory on Groves getting stopped in the amateurs as well as floored by Kenny Anderson last year and in a sparring session with Carl Froch.

I think it's safe to dismiss the Froch spar here. Groves has been open about being floored and let's face it, Froch is a superb, experienced world champion who hits very hard while Groves is green as a professional. It's also been said that Carl Froch does not hold back in sparring and surely Groves will have gained something as a result.

The Anderson knockdown could also be brought into question as a measure of Groves' chin Anderson has a genuinely good punch and Groves left himself exposed to the Scotsman's best shots . He took some blows, went down and then got back up to win (although the stoppage appeared a little premature). Rather, it seemed Groves' defence (or lack of) was the issue - not necessarily his chin.

Of course, DeGale is hyping the fight and he's trying to get under Groves' skin. Both fighters will want to carve out every possible advantage before fight night and a bit of winding up can go a long way.

Just ask Ricky Hatton about his pre-fight exchanges with Floyd Mayweayther Jr.

Katsidis - Guerrero: Will v Skill

Michael Katsidis is the sort of boxer, like Diego Corrales and Arturo Gatti, who could be described as a 'phonebox fighter'.

That's to say, if he had his way, he'd happily swap a spacious boxing ring for the confines of a telephone box, allowing him to trade blows with his opponent in an honourable last man standing contest.

With Duracell bunny-like energy levels Katsidis (27-3) always comes bounding over to his opponent and loves to pressurise and trap his foe against the ropes, ideally in the corner with no escape. This pattern tends to follow until either the opponent is good enough (as Joel Casamyor and Juan Manuel Marquez were) to score enough counter shots to hurt him and push him back - or more likely they succumb (like Graham Earl and Kevin Mitchell) to the pressure.

This weekend he takes on a completely different sort of fighter, Robert Guerrero (28-1), for the Interim WBA and WBO Lightweight Championships.

Southpaw Guerrero is the kind of boxer that relishes using his wits to evade the sort of pressure fighter that is Katsidis. He uses speedy footwork to get in, score points and get out of trouble.

That said, the former IBF Featherweight and Super-Featherweight Champion has some pop in his fists with 18 knockouts, including five first round stoppages.

Where Katsidis is easy to find and hit, Guerrero, nicknamed The Ghost, is likely to be a more frustrating proposition for the man in the other corner.

With 14 straight victories coming in Guerrero would look to be a bit fresher than Katsidis, who was stopped in nine thrilling rounds with Juan Manuel Marquez last year and is said to have suffered an eye injury while preparing for this one which could have scuppered this bout.

Katsidis should have a significant  size advantages against a former featherweight. He always gives 100 per cent and has an exhaustive will power to destroy his opponent. However, I'm not sure it'll be enough against the superbly-skilled Guerrero.

I'm inclined to think of Katsidis' points loss to Juan Diaz immediately after he had been stopped by Casamyor back in 2008.

Diaz, who has often lacked finesse and is not the most fleet-footed, was able to outfox Katsidis. Many thought Katsidis had gone straight back into a world level fight too soon after a crushing but valiant defeat and he lost on points.

Here there are similarities.

This time Guerrero is a much better skilled boxer than Diaz and is likely to be exuding confidence as he seeks to gain better exposure after flying under the radar for too long. You can never write off Katsidis, who is sure to turn up in fantastic shape, but I would pick Guerrero to dazzle on his way to a points decision.


* Postscript: Guerrero went on to take a comprehensive decision, winning 117-108, 118-106 and 118-107.

In defeat Katsidis was a brave and try-hard as ever. He was considered a little unfortunate to lose two points for low blows - despite not being warned first.

Katsidis should now take some time off to re-charge his batteries.

There will also be a place for his popular, hard-working fighter but he might be better served to step back to allow him to come back a fresher fighter.

Guerrero, funnily enough, may have less options open to him than Katsidis right now!

He's a southpaw, he's skilled, he's dangerous. I'm not sure promoters of the big names in and around the lightweight division will relish the thought of Guerrero has an opponent.

However, he deserves credit for putting on a clinical, marvellous performance.

Let's hear it for the journeymen

A lot of casual observers might skim a boxer's record and dismiss the fighter as a nobody if they have more defeats than victories.

In such a tough sport, with so many obstacles, bad luck, injuries, promotional wrangles and so forth, it can be hard to make it through the fog.

To have a winning record is something to be proud of but it can also be misleading. A boxer with a bit of a quirk - that might mean talent but it could also mean a huge following, an attractive appearance or a confident manner in front of the camera - might be allowed to build up an unbeaten record to make them an even more attractive proposition.

In short, their record and ego may be inflated and unrepresentative of their actual talent.

But most fighters aren't afforded that luxury. It's often sink or swim as far as the promoter is concerned and as the passages of time many promosing talents end up sliding. Do they continue in the sport? Well, it depends if they still have the passion and something to offer. If a fighter is not being hurt and can provide something and be a test at some level of the sport than why not carry on.

This is where a journeyman may appear.

Let's flip the coin from the unbeaten prospect and his cushioned path towards glory and look at two classic examples of journeymen at their very best - the American Anthony Ivory and gritty Brit Peter Buckland.

Anthony Ivory finished fighting in 2006. He ended up with a 32-78-5 record. In 115 fights he was only stopped five times.

Ivory actually won the first eight of his nine fights before his record slid. Perhaps his most memorable victory came in 1993 when he stopped future world title challenger Antwun Echols in one round.

Here are a list of future world champions and world title challengers he fought: Julio Cesar Vasquez, Luis Ramon 'Yori Boy' Campas, Ronald 'Winky' Wright, Chris Pyatt, Syd Vanderpool, Mamadou Thiam, Harry Simon, Hacine Cherifi, Mikkel Kessler, Armand Kranjc, Silvio Branco, Howard Eastman, Felix Sturm, Wilfredo Rivera, Keith Holmes, Yuri Foreman, Kelly Pavlik, Marco Antonio Rubio.

So, of that exulted company above, Ivory made it to the final bell in 14 of the 18 contests.

For many casual fight fans staying on your feet for an inevitable points loss isn't much of an achievement. I would say, in this case, those people are missing the point.

Journeymen fighters often save the show at the last minute when fighters pull out. They often prove a stern test of a prospect's credentials. Good journeymen are skilled enough to avoid getting seriously hurt and while they rarely get the bright lights of fanfare they are wholly appreciated by those inside the sport of boxing.

Birmingham boxer Peter Buckley had an incredible 300 fights in a career spanning nearly 20 years.

Buckley had a reasonable start to his career. Of his first 31 fights he won 17.

Of course, his final record was a lot different - 32-256-12. He was stopped 10 times and his best achievements were arguably winning the Midlands Area Super-Featherweight Championship in 1992 and the Midlands Area Super-Bantamweight title in 1995.

If you look at Buckley's record, the man was fighting up to three times a month, even towards the tail-end of his career. Just think how important he has been to boxing promoters.

What a servant to the sport.

Let's look at the notable names on Buckley's record: 'Prince' Naseem Hamed (twice), Duke McKenzie, Michael Brodie (twice), Paul Ingle (twice), Colin McMillan and Acelino Freitas.

Here are some of the notable domestic names on Buckley's record: Spencer Oliver, Jason Booth, Scott Harrison, Michael Gomez, Richie Wenton, Jason Cook, Bradley Pryce, Gavin Rees, Lee Meager, Scott Lawton, Derry Matthews and John Murray.

There are also numerous debutants and other decent domestic-level fighters whose learning curve in the sport was aided by taking on the experienced and wily Buckley.

In his final fight Buckley managed to score a rare victory when he outpointed Martin Mohammed over four rounds. Fittingly he was awarded a small trophy and belt.

He then bowed out of boxing.

Respected if not revered. Peter Buckley, like Anthony Ivory, deserves figtht fans' respect for his services to the sport.

* I'm keen to hear from fellow fight fans. If anyone wants to get in touch I can be reached via twitter: http://twitter.com/jabhookblog/

Prizefighter and Liverpool's resurgence

Liverpool has always had a proud boxing tradition and could lay claim to having some of the most passionate fans in Britain.

Maybe the current Light-Heavyweight Champion Tony Bellew summed it up best: "I'm from Liverpool. This is one of the hardest places around.

"My city has been built on fighting and hard times, from the Toxteth riots to the dockers. My city has fought for everything it's got."

From the days of rugged Rudkin to charismatic Conteh through to modern day battlers like Richie Wenton, Andy Holligan, Shea Nerry, Derry Matthews and Paul Smith - you can always expect a vociferous crowd cheering on one of their own.

Last week's Prizefighter, which took place in the brilliantly atmospheric Olympia, could be seen as confirmation of the resurgence of Liverpool on the professional boxing scene.

For too long in the mid-noughties the city's professional scene appeared to be going through something of a dry patch but the future is now looking rosy red (or bright blue, if you're an Everton fan).

In my view, Bellew, along with the exciting Featherweight Stephen Smith and Olympian David Price have the potential to climb towards world level.

On the night of the recent Prizefighter four Liverpol-based boxers battled it out during an entertaining competition - 40-year-old Robin Reid, former solder Carl Dilks, stabbing victim Joey Ainscough and the eventual winner, Rocky Fielding.

Of course all four were roared on by a hoarse crowd, with differing success.

Robin Reid looked his age and went out early against a 22-year-old fresh fighter called Tobias Webb. Carl Dilks looked similarly stunned at the fresh, opportunistic approach of his not-caring-for-reputations opponent, Jahmaine Smyle. Ainscough was very lucky to get a decision against Wayne Reed before being forced out, while Fielding - with only three fights going in - rode like a dark horse to victory.

Afterwards Fielding had his merry fans shouting his name as he planned his post-fight mission - the best route around Liverpool's lively nightspots with £32,000 in the back pocket.

There are a handful of other Liverpol-based boxers who could have competed in last week's Prizefighter.

Former British champion Tony Quigley had been in line to take part until weight issues forced him out. Another ex-British title holder, Tony Dodson, could have had another crack at the Prizefighter trophy, although the Garston man seems set to fight at Light-Heavyweight, with persistent talk that he'll have a go at Danny McIntosh's European title.

You also have Paul Smith, licking his wounds after losing to James DeGale, who might have used the competition has a springboard back - although it might have come round too soon and Smith is considering Middleweight as his long-term weight division.

One might have wondered whether Tony Bellew, competing up at Light-Heavyweight, might have fancied a pop. To be fair, the Commonwealth belt holder probably has his eyes set on bigger titles.

Would the risk have been worth taking?
That's the problem with Prizefighter being so unpredictable, so frantic - and frankly down and dirty - is that reputations go out the window.

Look what happened to the talented British Super-Featherweight Champion, Gary Sykes, who was knocked out 45 seconds into his second fight. Look what happened when five-fight novice Tobias Webb took on a former WBC World Champion who came close to beating the great Joe Calzaghe - Robin Reid was changed and dressed long before the final.

Prizefighter might be derided as boxing's version of 20-20 cricket. It might be dismissed like a cheap, greasy kebab at the end of the night on the lash - a quick fix with little depth nor sophistication. That's the point though - it's entertaining, pulls in the crowds and can elevate fighters to bigger and better things.

In the age of austerity, with boxing nervously watching the success of mixed martial arts, promoters often struggling to get fights off the ground - let alone attract a crowd - Prizefighter has got to be a good thing.

Here's hoping for more sweaty, rapturous nights at Liverpool's Olympia.

DeGale - Groves: A Question Of Timing?

Next month two of Britain's brightest prospects are supposed to be squaring off against each other - James DeGale and George Groves.

I say "supposed to be" as there are still doubts whether the Super-Middleweight match-up - on 9th April The Olympia in Kensington, London - will really take place.

There are concerns the fight is coming around too soon - both in the short-term (DeGale and Groves both fought this month) and long-term (they have only fought 22 times between them). Some claim either of the two fighters may pull out injured in the meantime and/or promotional problems (both boxers have different promoters) could scupper the bout.

I don't want to rain on the parade as no matter whether the two talented boxers should be fighting now or in two years' time it's still an exciting domestic match-up which will have British fight fans drooling. While some believe the bout should wait until the two men are more seasoned - and possibly fighting for a world title - the danger is always that one of the two could have a bad setback loss to derail the match-up or a gap in class between the two could grow to ruin the prospect of a potentially close contest.

Ultimately this fight will stir up a great deal of interest and possibly draw in some casual fans along the way with DeGale and Groves appearing to have a long-running feud stemming from a disputed amateur win for Groves (both boxers always used to train at the same gym and spar together).

In advance of this proposed fight here are some points to consider:

Groves is the more in-your-face fighter of the two and will look to exert extreme pressure on DeGale. The Olympic Gold medallist has not had his chin properly tested, nor has been forced to fight at a relentless pace. Liverpudlian Paul Smith was supposed to ask those questions but was blown away both by DeGale's speed and class. It could also be argued Smith was a little too small at the weight to push DeGale back. Groves instead, drawing on the confidence of knowing Degale well at amateur level, will look to drive his man back and take him out of his comfort zone.

Groves, like his promoter and mentor David Haye, chooses to fight with his left hand low. There are different viewpoints on this style - some argue it allows the boxer to be loose and springy, with the angle the shot appears from often surpring an opponent. On the flipside there is every danger the boxer will be left exposed to a nice right hook and it's likely switch-hitter DeGale will look to use a southpaw stance to score right hooks with good effect. Groves was put down and shaken by Scotsman Kenny Anderson, who took the shot at Groves' Commonwealth belt at short notice. Hammersmith fighter Groves also admitted to being shaken up during a sparring session with Carl Froch (some, including DeGale, claim he was knocked out). So there are some question marks about Groves' defence and punch resistance.

Of the two DeGale would appear to have the better skills with a flashy set of combinations, sharp and fast hands and ever-improving footwork. Worryingly, he seems to be getting even better and has passed his recent tests - against decent domestic level opponents Carl Dilks and Paul Smith - with flying colours. I would envisage the Harlesden man looking to pick off Groves with sharp counters as the come-forward fighter leaves himself open by being a little reckless. I think Groves is too brave to be deterred and will not stop ploughing ahead - something which could either be his downfall or open up the door to success if DeGale finds he does not like the intense pressure.

Both men know each other so well that the opening rounds could turn out to be cagey as neither boxer would want to leave themselves open to a humiliating early exit. But after the nerves have been shaken off, who will prevail? Will DeGale conduct a dominant showcase of his repertoire of boxing skills? For me, Groves' best chance is to ruffle up DeGale, take him out of his comfort zone and whip in bodyshots to test the resilience of the man known as Chunky (who walks around at 190lbs).

I don't think it will be enough to stop the ever-improving DeGale's rise and envisage Chunky stopping his brave and game opponent in the latter half of the fight.

This grudge fight has the potential to be a memorable one for British boxing.


* Postscript: Today (17th March) it's been announced that the Degale - Groves fight will take place at the O2 Arena in London on 21st May on the undercard of Nathan Cleverly's fight with Jurgen Braehmer. The extra time to prepare has to be a good thing although this fight would perhaps be better suited as a headliner. This could still happen perhaps if Braehmer's legal issues stop the headline contest from going ahead.


* Poscript II: (30th March) Well, the excitement of the fight - listening to interviews, watching the head-to-head and considering other respected analysists' views - is getting me thinking.

My initial thoughts were of an intense, heated scrap with DeGale using his counter-punching skills to force a stoppage in the second half of the fight against a brave, oncoming Groves.

But based on watching DeGale's and Grove's previous fights in further detail I'm now not so sure. I'm undecided.

Groves, I feel, has better skills than he is credited and can rely on the wily, calm and assured advice of Adam Booth - who has done wonders with David Haye.

I think the Charles Adamu contest shows Groves at his best (against a fighter who is of course several levels below DeGale). The way he picked his shots was brilliant, keeping Adamu on the back foot. He moved in and out well and wasn't too gung-ho.

If Groves adopts a more cautious, shot-picking approach - avoiding DeGale's goading for him to fly in like a wildman - we could be in for an entirely different sort of contest. A more cagey, tactical affair. Many would argue this would favour the supposed better 'pure boxer' in DeGale. Let's see.

The questions I have, which should be answered come fight night, are these:

- What has Groves learned from his toughest fight to date against Kenny Anderson? Groves showed guts to pull through after looking open and being knocked down. Anderson hadn't had long to prepare for this fight and afterwards Groves took a lot of flak. He will lose if he fights with the same wild approach against DeGale. However, although many would question whether there's really enough time to do this, Groves could become a much better defensive fighter after learning from what happened here. The concern might be Groves believing the way he came through this gritty contest shows he can power through anything. That would be a big mistake against DeGale. A fighter that comes to mind is Kevin Mitchell, who pulled through against Carl Johanneson after a rocky patch that looked like he would be stopped. For me - despite showing a clever boxing approach against Breidis Prescott - Mitchell never appeared to learn from that fight, leading up to the devastating loss to Michael Katsidis.

- What has DeGale learned from his toughest fight to date against Paul Smith? DeGale looked fantastic in beating British Super-Middleweight Champion Smith in his backyard. He dominated proceedings and can rightly take huge confidence going in against Groves. DeGale's trainer, Jim McDonnell, claims fighters like DeGale only come along every 20 years. That might get some wetting their lips in anticipation about just how brilliant DeGale can become. However, while DeGale showed how talented he is against Smith, he didn't need to answer questions about his punch resistance. Will he be looking at the mistakes he made - and there were a few points in the fight when he looked a little sloppy - or will he not care?

DeGale and Groves are still slightly raw and most British fight fans would feel their vast potential has not been fully realised. When they take to the ring here's hoping they bring the best out of each other.