Former WBA world super-middleweight champion George Groves announced his retirement from professional boxing today.
Still only 30-years-old, Groves had a successful career in the ring. He won the WBA super-middleweight title in 2017 by beating Russian Fedor Chudinov with a spectacular stoppage in the sixth round.
He retained the belt with wins over fellow brits Jamie Cox and Chris Eubank Jr., but was beaten by Callum Smith in his third defence.
But what he'll be remembered most for two spectacular fights with former unified super-middleweight champion Carl Froch.
My retirement statement.
- George Groves (@StGeorgeGroves) January 28, 2019
Thank you. #TeamSaintGG
"It's something unpredictable, but in the end is right.
I hope you had the time of your life." https://t.co/rWqrjHNFnA
Froch has since made sure we all remember what went down at Wembley in front of 80,000 people five years ago - and now he's giving his opinion on his former rival's retirement.
"Will I miss him? Probably not," he wrote in a column for Sky Sports. "But I can't deny that Groves made a massive, positive impact on the end of my career.
"Between us we filled Wembley and raised the bar for the next generation, led by Anthony Joshua of course, to box there, regularly.
"Groves certainly played his part in all that. A big part. He will be remembered for all those mind games and smart words he came out with, but I have to be honest, I never found him funny or clever.
"What I will say about him though is well done for becoming a world champion. Even if I was not his biggest fan, I was glad to stand up applauded his win over Chudinov at Bramall Lane."
Sharp words from a sharp boxer, but he wasn't finished there.
:stadium:️ Carl Froch on George Groves' retirement: "He's had a fantastic career really... He had quite explosive power in his best days, but I think he just went past his best after getting ironed out by me at Wembley... All the best to him & good luck with the future." [@SkySportsNews]
- Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) January 28, 2019
"But I won't miss him and I am not sure that British boxing will miss him, these days at least. There was nothing left out there for him," he added.
"He's had a fantastic career really. He had quite explosive power in his best days, but I think he just went past his best after getting ironed out by me at Wembley.
"Groves helped me finish my own career in the best way possible, so now it's his turn to call it a day. Fair play to him."
Do you think Groves has retired too early? Let us know in the comments.
Words by Kane Allen.
Topics: Boxing News, Boxing, Carl Froch, Wembley Stadium, Fight News
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