Carl Froch v George Groves: Booth split boosts the Cobra
Published:
Carl Froch – already 1/4 favourite for his November 23rd clash with George Groves – will be licking his lips at news of a split between his rival and trainer Adam Booth.
Reports suggest that Groves’ five-year association with the highly-respected trainer – who also handles heavyweight David Haye – has come to an end.
The news will be music to the ears of the already-confident Froch as the distraction of finding a new cornerman will no doubt disrupt Saint George’s preparation for the fight of his life.
News of the split comes shortly after the two fighters clashed at a media event for the bout – with the Cobra accusing his challenger of lacking respect and promising to knock him out.
Froch said to Groves’ face that the fight has come too early for him and that he should be grateful for the opportunity.
While the split plays into the hands of Froch, certain sections of the boxing world are refusing to take the news at face value.
Booth is recognised as a master tactician in the game after overseeing Groves’ unbeaten career, which has seen him beat higher-rated opponents including James DeGale.
The Hayemaker man was also behind Haye’s rise to the top of the heavyweight division and will be a huge loss for Hammersmith-born Groves.
However, as much as Booth is revered for his tactical nous, he is also known for striving to give his fighters the best chance possible by any means necessary.
David Haye’s actions in the build up to his title fight with Wladimir Klitschko – which included a T-shirt depicting decapitated Klitschko brothers – and his unsavoury brawl with Derek Chisora all came under Booth’s management.
That is not to say he was in any way behind or involved in such incidents, but nonetheless, some say news of the split could just be another case of out-of-the-ring mind games.
Should Froch take his foot of the gas in any way upon hearing the news, Groves’ 3/1 chances of victory would be given a significant boost.
The story looks set to play out over the next few days, but with just over two months until fight night tensions are already mounting.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
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