Photo by Ed Mulholland
Saturday, May 31, 2014, a rematch of epic proportions goes down live from Wembley Stadium in front of a record British boxing crowd of about 80,000 fans.
IBF and WBA Super Middleweight Champion Carl Froch puts his title and legacy on the line against George Groves.
The first fight ended in controversy as Groves was denied the chance to continue fighting by a trigger-happy referee.
At 36 years of age, Froch will have to be at his very best to overcome the younger and possibly hungrier Groves.
In a separate card from the Cotai Arena in Macau, China, WBA Featherweight titlist Simpiwe “V12” Vetyeka defends his strap against former highly regarded pound-for-pound fighter, Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire.
Doniare–once seen as one of the best fighters in the world–comes into this fight as the underdog and must prove that he still has a desire to fight.
Donaire assures fans that being the underdog will serve as motivation (per Top Rank Boxing).
“It’s been a long time since I entered a fight as an underdog, but that has inspired me more.”
HBO’s coverage of Froch vs. Groves II and Donaire vs. Vetyeka starts at 4:00 pm, EST.
The telecast will include a taped showing of Donaire vs. Vetyeka, while Froch vs. Groves II will air live.
Read on for Round By Round Boxing’s staff predictions for Froch vs. Groves II and Donaire vs. Vetyeka.
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Photo by Chris Farina/Top Rank
Nonito Donaire
vs.
Simpiwe Vetyeka
Lou Catalano, Staff Writer
Nonito Donaire has all the talent in the world, but is the desire still there? He had a hideous 2013 in the ring, but I’m looking for him to pull this one out on points. Donaire may not be quite what he was, but he’s better than nearly everybody else out there.
Prediction: Donaire
Dominique Silva, Contributing Writer
Nonito Donaire will capture the featherweight crown with a spectacular knockout. Simpiwe Vetyeka will be no match in power and speed and will be overwhelmed by Nonito.
Prediction: Donaire
Rob Anthony, Contributing Writer
The bloom on The Filipino Flash is gone. After being undressed on the big stage at Radio City Music Hall by Guillermo Rigondeaux, Nonito Donaire’s fast rising star has been dimmed quite a bit. Simpiwe Vetyeka beat an essentially retired long-time champion who at one time seemed unbeatable in Chris John. Fighting in Macao will be like a homecoming for Nonito as it’s a short flight from the Philippines. Donaire needs as much hometown support as possible. With Robert Garcia not in his corner as his trainer and an emboldened opponent, I expect Donaire to be upset by Vetyeka.
Prediction: Vetyeka
Gabe Polanco, Contributing Writer
Nonito Doniare expects to win another title in the Featherweight division by taking on WBA titlist Simpiwe Vetyeka in a return for Top Rank to Macao, China. Most people don’t know Vetyeka even though he is a alphabet titlist. I honestly had to look him up to see exactly who he was. He fights well, has good speed and decent power and his win over the Indonesian legend Chris John is his biggest to date. Sadly, it doesn’t matter how good he is, because at the end of it all, it only matters which Nonito Doniare shows up to fight. Since losing to Guillermo Rigondeaux, Doniare hasn’t been the same. He went life and death with Vic Darchinyan and was utterly out boxed by him until he scored a knockout win late in that fight. Whether his heart and mind are in there or not, he has the tools and skill to defeat the South African fighter. I hope to see the rise of the Filipino Flash and I have him winning a unanimous decision victory.
Prediction: Donaire
Juan Carlos Burgos, Contributing Writer
Simpiwe Vetyeka did what nobody predicted he could in capturing his first world title. He battered, bruised and simply beat up Chris John. In his last bout, Nonito Donaire was able to get back to his winning ways by once again beating Vic Darchinyan although in much less impressive fashion this time around. Donaire is a talented fighter, but in my eyes is a bit of a front runner. When it’s going good he is really good, but he can stink up the joint as well. Donaire should be able to use his quickness and angles to beat Vetyeka and win another belt. Donaire can’t just let Vetyeka stay on the outside and box him or else it’s going to be a dull fight. Nonito must take the fight to Vetyeka and I think he will.
Prediction: Donaire
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Is the Guillermo Rigondeaux beat down still haunting Nonito Donaire? It sure looked like it in the Filipino Flash’s rematch with Vic Darchinyan. I think that this bout verses Simpiwe Vetyeka is great for Donaire because it’s low risk–even though Vetyeka is coming off of a career high victory over Chris John–and high reward–with Vetyeka’s WBA title on the line. I think Donaire will show that he’s still got enough in the tank and gain some confidence back while winning a title. I don’t think Donaire is at the top of the sport, but he’ll always be competitive and has enough talent to beat most.
Prediction: Donaire
Photo by Ed Mulholland
Carl Froch
vs.
George Groves
Lou Catalano, Staff Writer
Carl Froch was losing badly the first time around before that hideous stoppage. He did catch George Groves and hurt him, but Groves was totally dominant before that. I think this time Groves finishes the job. Groves by stoppage.
Prediction: Groves
Dominique Silva, Contributing Writer
Carl Froch is coming with fire and rage in this big fight rematch. I predict that George Groves will be no match and Froch will end this fight by seventh-round TKO.
Prediction: Froch
Rob Anthony, Contributing Writer
80,000 screaming Englishmen will gather to see two of their best prizefighters get reacquainted in the ring after their blockbuster battle last fall. Carl Froch was being dominated most of their first fight until he got off a big flurry and the referee stepped in to end it controversially. Maybe Froch figured something out, maybe he just got a second wind. I expect this fight to be violent, competitive and close. I’m picking George Groves to win chapter two of the epic rivalry in a close fight with a split decision victory.
Prediction: Groves
Gabe Polanco, Contributing Writer
On Saturday night, Carl Froch attempts to silence the doubters in a rematch against George Groves. In the first match, Groves almost scored an upset that would have shocked the world, hurting Froch a few times in their first fight. Both fighters are coming in shouting to anyone that will listen that they will win and they made no adjustment to a lot of adjustments to win the bout. Honestly, I just don’t see Groves winning this fight. I feel he will prove again to be a very good Tommy Hearns to Froch’s Marvin Hagler. Froch is notoriously a slow starter and Groves usually starts off blisteringly fast. But, in this fight I see a change in the script as Froch comes out hard, but smart and Groves comes out a bit more wild with a HUUUUUGGEEEE chip on his shoulder. That chip will be the downfall of Groves as I have Froch winning by KO sometime in this fight.
Prediction: Froch
Juan Carlos Burgos, Contributing Writer
I’ll be honest, in the first bout between these two I did not give George Groves much of a shot to beat Carl Froch. Obviously I was wrong. I was suprised with the ease Groves connected and the impact he had before Froch stunned him and got, in many eyes, a quick stoppage. This time around Froch will need to be much more aware and box more effectively. Above all, Froch cannot take Groves lightly. This is not to discredit Groves, who elevated his status as a fighter last time. I see Froch being able to pick his spots better and box more cautiously. Groves will have to use his speed to inflict the same kind of damage he did in the first fight. If Froch has slowed down at all, we will find out quickly. This time I’m picking Groves to get the job done with his combination of youth, speed and power.
Prediction: Groves
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
In my humble opinion, Carl Froch got a major assist from the referee in his first bout with George Groves. In that first bout, Froch looked like he’s on the decline, if only a little bit. The disdain between these guys runs deep and it’s certainly making for a fun build up. I think as long as Groves can pace himself and apply smart pressure, he should be able to stop Froch. Froch will always have a chance as long as he’s on his feet and if Groves gets too over anxious and is caught with solid punches, it could spell trouble for the younger man.
Prediction: Groves
