LIVE: Froch-Groves II

Updates and reaction from the big fight at Wembley Stadium

3rd & 7 37yd

Evening all and welcome to live commentary on the big fight night at Wembley. We are still a little way off Carl Froch v George Groves II but it has already been a lively night with Olympic gold medallist Anthony Joshua knocking out his opponent, Matt Legg, in the first round. Read the report here:
Joshua shines at Wembley with sixth stoppage victory
ESPN.co.ukOlympic champion Anthony Joshua produced a devastating display as he continued an impressive start to life as a professional heavyweight with a first round stoppage of Matt Legg at Wembley

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 7:00:03 PM
ESPN's Rob Bartlett is at Wembley for us and says: Carl Froch’s arrival at Wembley Stadium was shown on the big screens surrounding the ring – safe to say that he’ll be getting a hostile reception if that chorus of boos is anything to go by.

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 7:13:18 PM
George Groves got the same treatment on the big screen - and from the crowd. He turned up in a long limo with some very smartly dressed guys - presumably security - around him. He said he was feeling calm but if both fighters have been booed, who are the crowd at Wembley to support?!

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 7:15:04 PM
As the crowd builds at Wembley, Dagenham's Kevin Mitchell is in round eight of an attritional bout on the undercard against Ghislain Maduma, but there was a world title before those two came on. Our man Rob Bartlett reports again: Home favourite Jamie McDonnell was made to work for victory against Tabtimdaeng Na Rachawat but a powerful left hook from the Brit in round 10 ensured he was crowned a world champion for the second time, taking the vacant WBA bantamweight title. It was a punch that certainly woke the crowd up; the atmosphere is slowly building for the biggest British fight of the year – possibly in this nation’s history.

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 7:25:36 PM
Carl Froch reckons he has hardly been battling nerves tonight - "I've been putting my feet up and relaxing," he said.

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 7:27:43 PM
ESPN Rob: We’re up to about 70% of crowd capacity now and the noise whenever a flurry of punches land is absolutely frightening. Last night, 80,000 fans entertained themselves by throwing paper aeroplanes during England’s 3-0 World Cup warm-up win against Peru. Somehow I can’t see that happening again tonight…

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 7:32:04 PM
Kevin Mitchell has just unloaded several huge blows on Ghislain Maduma, provoking a thunderous noise from the Wembley crowd. Maduma goes down – and is counted out. Mitchell wins the IBF lightweight championship eliminator.

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 7:36:33 PM
The pain for Mitchell, who was behind on points,
could be that he may not get a shot at champion Miguel Vazquez because he came in 12lbs overweight on the morning of the fight.

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 7:37:30 PM
Froch, pre-fight, was still talking the talk. Does he know any other way? After popping into the stadium to have a look at his friend Joshua, he said "I wanted to hear the sounds, it sounds like a modern day coliseum, it brought a smile to my face because I am a big fan of ancient Rome and all the gladiator films.
"

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 7:40:49 PM
ESPN Rob: James DeGale gets a mixed reception during his walk to the ring – he fights Brandon Gonzales. The winner becomes mandatory challenger to whoever is crowned IBF champion later this evening.

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 7:49:54 PM
DeGale starts quickly in front of a crowd that contains Tottenham's Andros Townsend. Gonzales looked like he was starstruck - or something like that. He wasn't on his game, anyway

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 7:55:29 PM
Tales from the press room: apparently Dereck Chisora has just walked past and left the writers mumbling more quietly than normal so they didn't do anything to upset him because, to quote one, "he's absolutely huge"

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 8:01:13 PM
Tales from the press room II: No food in the press room, shocker. Members of the Press asked to buy burgers with the fans downstairs. Apparently, this wouldn't be tolerated in a Premier League ground!

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 8:03:29 PM
DOWN: Degale knocks Gonzales down for a count of five in round four

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 8:05:08 PM
ALL OVER: DeGale starts swinging after Gonzales goes down and the referee calls a halt to it. Safety first from the referee as the Briton went in for a big finish and left his opponent looking in big trouble.

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 8:07:17 PM
Wayne Rooney is in the house - and he reckons Froch is going to win by a knockout. He knows a thing or two about boxing too as a serious fight fan. He explained: "Froch might stop George Groves because of his experience and know-how in the big fights and his power. You could see that in the first fight."

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 8:10:45 PM
Bring it on: DeGale is now in line for a fight against the winner of Froch-Groves and he cannot wait after tonight's victory: "It's exactly what I wanted to do - put on a performance," he said. "The atmosphere was brilliant. I was hitting him with some good, clean shots and he was hurt. I'm ready for a world title shot, 100%."

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 8:18:03 PM
DeGale back with a bang at Wembley
ESPN.co.ukJames DeGale earned himself a possible shot at either Carl Froch or George Groves after he produced a sublime display to defeat previously unbeaten Brandon Gonzales in their IBF super-middleweight eliminator at Wembley

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 8:22:39 PM
Nearly time: The boxing glitterati is at Wembley tonight - Amir Khan, Frank Bruno, Michael Watson and Chris Eubank - looking dapper as ever - are among them. Will the fight live up to the hype?

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 8:31:42 PM
Nearly time: As we wait for the action, lets take a few predictions. Ricky Hatton first: "We will see a Froch determined to silence his rival. This is more than a fight for the Nottingham Cobra - it's his legacy that's on the line. People will look at him in a different light if he loses the rematch. That makes this a career-defining fight for Carl. He will come out on top."

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 8:34:17 PM
Nearly time: I'm no fan of Joey Barton. Frankly, he should not get the oxygen of publicity. However, you don't often hear him stuck for a strong opinion... apart from on Britain's biggest fight. He said: "Love Carl Froch, he's a warrior, but George Groves has grown on me between fights. I couldn't call the fight. Fingers crossed for another epic." Thanks a bunch, Joey!

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 8:36:44 PM
Nearly time: WBO international cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew is among a growing number of experts sitting on the fence over this one. He said: "George is going to give similar threats to Carl. Speed will be an issue early on, the first four rounds will be crucial but if Carl gets through them then I think he will wear George down."

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 8:42:07 PM
Nearly time: Anthony Ogogo, the Olympic bronze medallist, is also getting splinters on the fence. He said: "I genuinely don't know. George Groves's speed, you can't lose that, but Carl Froch's power and resilience might get him through to the end."

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 8:44:13 PM
Nearly time: Good old Barry McGuigan - someone who is finally ready to stick his head out. Just. The former WBA featherweight champion said: "This is a macho game but in the heat of battle it can spill over into arrogance and I doubt if George Groves can stay composed and just keep boxing throughout. Force my hand and I go for Carl Froch with a stoppage in the 10th, 11th or 12th round."

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 8:46:34 PM
Nearly time: Mikkel Kessler, one of only two men to beat Froch, is also here. They currently stand at one victory each – anyone fancy a decider?

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 8:48:37 PM
Nearly time: Groves is making his way from the dressing rooms

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 8:50:10 PM
Nearly time: The announcer wants to get 'this party started' apparently. Glad I am not on his invite list. Don't think I could dance around these fighters.

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 8:52:04 PM
Nearly time: Quite a few boos greeting the Groves entrance but you can't argue with a bloke who enters Wembley on the top deck of an open-topped London double decker bus, surely.

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 8:53:48 PM
Nearly time: Fireworks, shooting flames and pumping music. Groves is loving his time at the centre of attention on the way to the ring.

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 8:55:07 PM
Tales from the press room III: You can feel the heat from those flames all the way up here, says ESPN Rob. Seriously impressive entrance from George Groves

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 8:55:59 PM
Nearly time: Now it's Froch's turn and there seems to be a bit more respect from the crowd. Only a bit mind. No bus for him, though, just a traditional trot towards the ring. Queen's We Will Rock You is his first soundtrack as his entourage show off his belts

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 8:59:29 PM
Nearly time: ESPN columnist Steve Bunce: "Here, 80,000 people have bought themselves a little lump of concrete to stand on and witness a bit of history being made. I thought Froch's reception was a little warmer than Groves, 60-40 in favour of Froch."

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 9:01:10 PM
Nearly time: The fighters are now in the ring as the last announcements take place. Get ready.

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 9:04:32 PM
FIGHT TIME: This huge bout has finally started and there is some very fast and urgent... shadow boxing

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 9:07:46 PM
FIGHT TIME: It's very cagey but Froch takes a couple of early jabs

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 9:08:31 PM
FIGHT TIME: The shadowing goes on as the pair keep their distance, Froch's jabs seem to have a bit more too them but there is not much between the two fighters in performance terms at the end of round one

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 9:10:49 PM
ROUND TWO: Great atmosphere and amazing build up but Groves has not lost his head in it... or come out looking like someone desperate to complete the three round finish he predicted

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 9:12:34 PM
ROUND TWO: A bit of argy bargy now. Punches to the back of the head and Froch showing Groves down after some holding... testing out the referee

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 9:13:25 PM
ROUND TWO: Still no clear leader at the end of the round. They're still feeling they're way and probably have a round each - albeit both very close

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 9:15:33 PM
ROUND THREE: So this is the round Groves said he would win in but as the crowd get a little frustrated, it looks like a genuine 12-round fight

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 9:16:39 PM
ROUND THREE: Froch is stepping things up now, landing a good hit and several jabs. Froch is trying to make the ring feel small for Groves.

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 9:18:05 PM
ROUND THREE: That was much better, with both men taking hits. The pair exchanged a few wilder blows and there was a nice right from Groves but still pretty even.

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 9:19:17 PM
ROUND FOUR: Groves was supposed to come into this fright in a frenzy but he is struggling a bit with a committed jab from Froch this time around. Froch's reach means he can keep a relatively safe distance

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 9:20:58 PM
ROUND FOUR: Quite a few missed swings now from both but Froch looks to be controlling this fight with Groves relying on the odd potshot

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 9:23:02 PM
ROUND FIVE: Who has got the stamina now? They are both working hard around the ring.

by Leo Spall 5/31/2014 9:24:15 PM

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LIVE: Froch-Groves II

Updates and reaction from the big fight at Wembley Stadium

Joshua shines at Wembley with sixth stoppage victory

DeGale back with a bang at Wembley

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