Post by craig johnson on Nov 24, 2013 9:33:22 GMT
Carl Froch retained his WBA and IBF super-middleweight titles with a ninth-round stoppage of George Groves at Manchester Arena.
Froch, 36, was floored by underdog Groves in the first round and was playing catch-up thereafter.
After some thrilling exchanges the challenger was ahead on all three judges' scorecards going into the ninth, when Froch turned things around.
However, while Groves did seem to be in some trouble when the fight was stopped, the referee probably stepped in too soon.
The crowd, who had jeered the 25-year-old Groves into the ring, certainly thought so, booing both the champion and the decision.
Nottingham's Froch said he would be open to a rematch, and while he has other options, he might not be able to avoid a return bout with Groves.
Groves came out bombing at the start of the ninth but a thunderous right from Froch turned the fight on its head.
With Groves tottering and turning away from Froch, referee Foster decided the challenger had taken enough punishment.
The capacity crowd at the Manchester Arena were incensed at the premature ending, and it is doubtful the referee would have been so compassionate had it been the other way round.
Groves was leading 78-73, 76-75 and 76-75 on the judges' scorecards when the fight was stopped.
Another bad decision for the world of boxing
Froch, 36, was floored by underdog Groves in the first round and was playing catch-up thereafter.
After some thrilling exchanges the challenger was ahead on all three judges' scorecards going into the ninth, when Froch turned things around.
However, while Groves did seem to be in some trouble when the fight was stopped, the referee probably stepped in too soon.
The crowd, who had jeered the 25-year-old Groves into the ring, certainly thought so, booing both the champion and the decision.
Nottingham's Froch said he would be open to a rematch, and while he has other options, he might not be able to avoid a return bout with Groves.
Groves came out bombing at the start of the ninth but a thunderous right from Froch turned the fight on its head.
With Groves tottering and turning away from Froch, referee Foster decided the challenger had taken enough punishment.
The capacity crowd at the Manchester Arena were incensed at the premature ending, and it is doubtful the referee would have been so compassionate had it been the other way round.
Groves was leading 78-73, 76-75 and 76-75 on the judges' scorecards when the fight was stopped.
Another bad decision for the world of boxing
