Former super middleweight champion George Groves ended his boxing career in 2018 and is now enjoying the delights of life, occasionally giving fans exciting boxing memories. This time, George talked about his sparring with one of the strongest middleweight champions in history, the still-standing 39-year-old Gennady Golovkin (41-1-1, 36 KOs).
"I lost the rematch with Carl Froch by knockout, and soon got an invitation to spar with Gennady Golovkin in the Big Bear Mountains. I was out of shape then, I was overweight, but I couldn't refuse to spar with such a legend. And I've never been one to strive to win sparring matches at all costs," Groves said.
"I flew, went up to the mountains, got sunburned, then had some beer, and the next day I went to Abel Sanchez Hall, where Golovkin was waiting for me. It was warm outside. I was told that Golovkin likes to train in the heat and it was incredibly hot in the gym. I was asked if I minded having the heat on and if I minded having the rounds last four minutes. That's what Golovkin likes... I didn't want to show weakness and didn't comment on it in any way. Golovkin wears a body guard during sparring and I was offered the same. I refused. We fought four rounds and I did pretty well, but after two days I decided to work better. I boxed much better this time, and I hit Golovkin well. However, he surprised me with actions that no other opponent would have surprised me with. He would punch away or take his punches to the side and respond with his own. At one point he hit me in the torso and I knew something was broken. My coach stopped sparring and later discovered that one rib was broken. But even if I had worn protection, I probably would have broken something myself anyway," added the 33-year-old Briton.
"GGG is one of the best boxers in middleweight history. I'm a big fan of his. He's a phenomenal boxer and a great man. I wish I had performed better during those sparring sessions and I wish I had faced him in a fight. I would have hit him in the head even harder (laughs). And seriously, Golovkin hits a hell of a lot, but above all he is perfectly prepared. He's a master in controlling the distance, he's got outstanding boxing 'eyesight' and excellent footwork. It's a real phenomenon in boxing", George Groves summed up the popular theme.
