AFTER losing to WBC world super-middleweight champion Badou Jack in September, in what was a third failed attempt at world honours, George Groves split from trainer Paddy Fitzpatrick.
Groves returns to the ring on January 30 and is said to be trialing several different taskmasters at the moment before making a decision on who will lead his corner for the foreseeable future.
As one of Britain’s leading talents, Groves is expected to team up with a notable head coach so we’ve listed five such men who could fill the role. Let us know what you think in the Comments section.
5. Adam Booth
Booth famously led Groves to British and Commonwealth glory and helped mold the Londoner into one of the most explosive punchers in his division. Of course, they parted ways a few years ago and it seems unlikely they would join forces again – however it’s not out of the question.
Booth is one of the most respected trainers in the world having also led David Haye to numerous world titles and currently trains a talented crop of fighters, including Andy Lee and Chris Eubank Jnr.
Booth and Groves seemed a great match when they were working together and a reunion could lead Groves to that world title which has so far eluded him.
4. Dave Coldwell
Coldwell was a regular member of Groves’ corner in the past having worked alongside Booth. Now, he is a full-time trainer himself and has proven his credentials with Jamie and Gavin McDonnell and Tony Bellew.
Having been involved in virtually every level of boxing, Coldwell has bags of experience. However he is based in Rotheram which would be a heft commute for Groves, a Hammersmith man.
3. Joe Gallagher
Recently voted British Trainer of the Year, Gallagher trains a supremely talented stable of fighters, including Scott Quigg, Anthony Crolla and the fighting Smith brothers.
Perversely dedicated and a master tactician, Joe also demands an extreme level of fitness from his fighters – an area in which Groves has drawn criticism on in the past.
2. Rob McCracken
These two have history. McCracken was of course the long-term trainer of Carl Froch, the man who stopped Groves twice during a bitter rivalry.
Not only is McCracken clearly a fantastic trainer – leading Froch to numerous world titles and guiding GB’s boxing team to a record Olympic medal haul in 2012 – he will also know Groves inside-out, having studied him for the two fights with Carl.
It would also make for a terrific story line.
1. Abel Sanchez
Sanchez has recently become more well known for his work with middleweight monster Gennady Golovkin, but Abel had trainer over a dozen world champions before the Kazakh rocked up to The Summit Gym in Big Bear, California. He transformed Golovkin from an economical and tentative fighter into the most exciting slugger on the planet.
Groves spent time with Sanchez and Golovkin prior to his fight with Jack and while he may not have got the result he wanted, it seems he benefited from his time there – hardly a surprise considering he trained alongside one of the best fighters in the world.
Sanchez offers a wealth of knowledge, great facilities away from distraction and the opportunity for world-class sparring.
