Badou Jack vs. George Groves
Photo by Esther Lin
Mike Burnell, Staff Writer
Badou Jack defends his WBC Super Middleweight strap against UK challenger George Groves Saturday night in an intriguing matchup.
Jack is coming off an upset win over the talented Anthony Dirrell in April and is clearly not taking the easy road with his first defense.
Groves dropped dominant Carl Froch heavily in the first round of their first championship match before being stopped somewhat controversially. Groves showed his durability in the rematch though it ended without question of the victor.
While Jack is no stranger to being the underdog, expect Groves to finally get the belt that he has been chasing by decision.
Prediction: Groves
Tony Calcara, Staff Writer
I like George Groves here. Much of this is gut feeling, but I like the stylistic matchup for him against Badou Jack. I see him winning by decision.
Prediction: Groves
Kai Piercy, Staff Writer
Very few predicted Badou Jack’s stunning victory over Anthony Dirrell earlier this year.
But for many, Jack’s first-round defeat to Derek Edwards will still play a factor in their overall predictions.
George Groves endured a roller-coaster of emotions in the two battles with foe, Carl Froch. The mind games, the bitterness of the controversial first bout, and the heartache of the knockout defeat in the rematch.
A possible cause of his lethargic performances against Christopher Rebrasse and Denis Douglin, he also has a tendency to gas in the latter half of fights. There’s no doubt that Groves has a better skill set, and his counter right has the potential to take out Jack. I think Jack’s capable defense means he grows into the fight, as Groves will be tricky to pin down early on.
It’s been a long wait for the Hammersmith fighter, but third time’s a charm and he will bring the belt back to Britain, albeit, in a close and intense affair, winning by three or four rounds.
Prediction: Groves
Sarah Gruber, Staff Writer
George Groves has said he is looking to knockout Badou Jack and plans to dominate from the opening bell.
I think his overly aggressive game plan will fail him as Badou Jack is highly skilled and hungry to keep his belt. I see Jack staying calm and out boxing the aggressive Groves throughout most of the fight.
Prediction: Groves
Brandon Glass, Contributing Writer
This should be an interesting fight. While Badou Jack is probably the most skilled of all the boxers in Floyd Mayweather’s stable (besides Mayweather himself) he has some glaring flaws. A man of George Groves’ experience, will make this defense quite difficult for Jack.
The knock on Groves is this: if a world title is on the line, he usually is on the losing end. Groves may have a shot to turn that reputation around in this fight as Jack is no Carl Froch. However if Jack is at his best, footwork and defense will help him easily outbox the aggressively fundamental Groves.
Questions about Jack’s chin–after getting rocked by journeymen Derek Edwards in the first round of their scrap–will be answered as Groves comes in with a 70 percent knockout ratio.
Because of this, no matter what Jack does, Groves will have a shot until the final bell. I think Groves gets his 17th knockout and a new piece of hardware.
Prediction: Groves
Brent Herrin, Staff Writer
Another addition to the Mayweather vs. Berto card will include Badou Jack vs. “Saint” George Groves for Jack’s WBC World super middleweight title.
Jack lifted the WBC title off the undefeated Anthony Dirrell via majority decision back in April, and will look to make his first successful defense against Groves. Make no mistake about it, Groves will bring the fight to Jack and look to use his jab and good footwork to stay one step ahead of his opponent.
Jack will need to use his jab and lead hook in order to stay on top of Groves, and limit coming forward with his attack which could put him in prime position to get caught by one of Groves solid right hand shots.
This fight may actually end up being better than the main event, but then again, all the undercard fights will probably be more entertaining than the main attraction. Groves, being the more experienced of the two, has the slight advantage over Jack.
Prediction: Groves
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Hands down, this is my favorite matchup on the bill. Is Badou Jack the real deal? Can George Groves finally win a major title?
I think Groves will start fast, but the big question is if he will fizzle out in the second half of the fight. Jack usually has good defense–except for that time he did the Stanky Legg against Derek Edwards–so I really want to see if he paces himself and takes Groves’ best stuff through the first half of the bout, will he be able to capitalize and take over.
I’m giving Groves the edge here, but I think he has to earn Jack’s respect early and maybe even knock him down. Groves has gotten good sparring in Big Bear for this camp so I think he’ll be ready to go a full 12.
Prediction: Groves
