Froch, known for his outspoken views on fellow fighters, has had his share of conflicts with other boxers like Anthony Joshua, Jake Paul, and Joe Calzaghe. But it's Groves who stands out as the one opponent he couldn't stand.
Speaking to Sporting Talk, Froch didn't hold back when discussing his feelings towards Groves:
"The guy I really didn't like, and everyone is gonna know, was George Groves in the first fight. I just couldn't stand him. I genuinely f*****g hated him, really bad, to my soul, and that's why I struggled so much in the first fight, the game plan went out of the window and I just tried to render him unconscious like I did in the rematch. And when you're trying to knock someone hold out, you load up, you're just that split second behind, you're looking at them and you're trying to force it. You're not boxing, it's the art of pugilism."
Froch's intense dislike for Groves affected his performance in their first encounter. Despite winning by stoppage, many fans thought the referee ended the fight too early. Froch admits his emotional state led him to abandon his game plan and focus solely on knocking Groves out.
The rematch took place at Wembley Stadium, where Froch secured a more conclusive victory. He knocked Groves out in the eighth round, ending his own career as world champion on a high note.
Froch's career boasts an impressive record with only two losses. He defeated notable opponents like Andre Ward and avenged his loss to Mikkel Kessler. However, it's clear that his fights with Groves left the strongest emotional impact.
The former champion's candid admission sheds light on the psychological aspects of boxing. Froch's explanation of how hatred affected his performance illustrates the importance of mental control in the ring. As he put it, when you're focused on knocking someone out, "You're not boxing, it's the art of pugilism."