George
Groves made a fist of making the statement he needed, even though he
could not quite apply the exclamation required to put the seal on his
winning of the European super-middleweight title.
This
victory over defending champion Christopher Rebrasse brings with it not
only a belt but the prospect of a mandatory challenge to WBC world
champion Anthony Dirrell.
As
evidence that his self-belief and ring-craft have survived that
knock-out from hell by Carl Froch, this performance was impressive
enough.
George Groves lands on Christopher Rebrasse as he heads for a unanimous points win in London
Groves was in control throughout but was unable to deliver the knockout blow against the Frenchman
JEFF POWELL'S SCORECARD
GROVES ROUND REBRASSE
10 1 9
10 2 9
10 3 9
10 4 9
10 5 9
10 6 9
10 7 9
10 8 10
9 9 10
10 10 9
9 11 10
10 12 10
118 TOTALS 112
But
Groves will need to bounce back significantly higher when and if he
takes on Dirrell and he must hope that his new German promoters have
pockets deep enough to make the Ameican an offer to come to Wembley
which he cannot afford to refuse.
The Saint is capable of raising his game, again, and has earned the right to prove as much.
Although he admitted: ‘I want to knock people out and I couldn't do that, But I gave it a real good go.’
The
loyal Londoners in Wembley Arena were satisfied with that and roared
their approval of a self-assessment as honest as the fight was
entertaining.
If
not 80,000 at the Stadium next door when he was knocked into the blue
yonder by Froch, who was at ringside commentating for Sky, an attendance
of 6,300 in the Arena was highly respectable after two defeats by the
Nottingham Cobra.
Groves (a Chelsea fan) celebrates with Arsenal duo Lukas Podolski (right) and Mesut Ozil after his victory
Groves is now the European champion but has his sights set on winning the world title next
Groves knew
he needed to make an impression and raced into the fight at blistering
speed, winning the first seven rounds on my card.
The
left jab was piston-like in the first half of the bout and the right
hooks razor sharp. But the longer the Frenchman survived the more he
edged into the affair and there was slight frisson of concern about
Groves' stamina.
He conceded that he had to pace himself in the later stages, which was acceptable since he risked punching himself out.
Rebrasse
edged a round or two towards the end. And he raised his own question
mark about the Saint’s power by dropping his hands after being caught
with a snappy combination and beckoning his challenger forward.
The
verdict was decisive enough, 118-110 according to two of the judges and
117-111 on the card of the other. I had Groves winning by 118-112.
+8
Groves is now the mandatory challenger to WBC world champion Anthony Dirrell (right)
Groves
entered the ring to a Shakespearean reading of ‘Cry God for England,
Harry and St George,’ followed’ by his brass band’s rendition of ‘When
the Saints Go Marching In’ and roars from his army of fellow Londoners.
There were boos, of course, for the European champion from France.
Groves was businesslike from the first bell, dictating with his left jab
and landing some early right crosses. The odd flurry came from Rebrasse
but it was clearly Groves’ round.
He
maintained the blistering opening pace in the second session but
Rebrasse changed up a gear and was more competitive in the exchanges.
Groves was clearly going for a quick finish but his face reddened, even
though this was another impressive round.
Rebrasse
was rocked by a succession of big rights but fought back, to the
disappointment of fans sensing blood. Groves was also working well to
the body but there was no sign yet of the Frenchman wilting despite the
punishment.
+8
Champion Groves celebrates his win over Rebrasse
At
the start of the fourth, the pace had to slow a little but Groves was
still dictating from behind a ramrod left jab. Rebrasse did stop him in
his tracks with a solid right and Groves walked onto another at the bell
but it was still the Saint's round.
Groves,
fully committed on the front foot, continued to be first with the jab.
It helped that Rebrasse did not appear to have the power to hit him like
Froch, even though he was throwing defence to the wind at times and
getting caught by some counters.
Rebrasse
was enjoying a little more success as the fight approached the midway
mark while Groves was losing a little accuracy and was forced on to the
retreat for the first time. But it was still not quite enough to stop
the rounds slipping away from the Frenchman.
Rebrasse
was presumably hoping Groves would weaken late – as he did twice
against Froch – but there was no sign of it by the seventh stanza.
Another Saintly round, even though this was again a little closer.
Rebrasse
was holding the middle or the ring and fully in the fight by the eighth
and came out equal from a thunderous exchange on the ropes – and in a
round for the first time.
Groves
was missing more and his corner was urging him to keep the initiative
but he had to ride more accurate French combinations and lost a round
for the first time with three to go.
The
challenger landed big-time lefts and rights but Rebrasse took the
shots, dropped his hands and beckoned the Saint forward – somewhat
unwisely. Groves found a second wind to raise his work-rate again after
the disappointment of the ninth to win this one but looked the more
weary as they trudged back to their corners.
Rebrasse
landed the cleaner punches in the penultimate round, while the big
blows from Groves were more sporadic. Although he had the decision - and
with it the title – in his pocket, he dropped another round.
Groves
was blowing – but still throwing, albeit mostly off target or blocked
punches. His chin withstood a big right – before the new and old
European super-middleweight champions embraced at the final bell.
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