SPORTS SATURDAY, MAY 31, 2014 Froch shuts out mind games in Groves rematch

LONDON: For Carl Froch, dealing with George Groves’ mind games has been a vital part of his preparation for the British super-middleweight rivals’ rematch. Froch insists working with a sports psychologist has made him immune to the verbal sniping of Groves, a master in provocation who challenges him for his International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Association (WBA) super-middleweight titles in front of 80,000 specta- tors at Wembley today. Groves gleefully agrees with Froch’s comparison of him behaving like a naughty child after his relentless teasing since their last fight in November, which Froch won by a controversial ninth round stoppage. Referee Howard Foster’s decision to halt Groves, who had floored Froch in the first round and was ahead on the judges’ scorecards in the ninth round, was widely criticized and the IBF subsequently ordered a rematch after Groves appealed. The entertainment and controversy of their first clash has generated more anticipation for a fight in Britain than any other in recent years and will reportedly be watched by the nation’s biggest boxing crowd since the Second World War. Froch, 36, will be competing in his 12th successive world title bout. However, the Nottingham box- er has felt it necessary to employ the services of a sports psychologist from the Great Britain Olympic team after admitting he became too wound up by Groves’ sniping. Froch pushed Groves when they posed for photo- graphs in March but claims the 26-year-old Londoner will not upset his equanimity this time. “I’ve learned not to lis- ten to his rubbish, not get involved with the mind games that he plays and not let him get under my skin,” Froch told AFP. “The mind games that he plays got to me last time. I am a human being. I have worked behind bars for years with drunk people threatening me and I kept my cool, took a deep breath and stayed calm. “But eventually it gets to you, I’ll admit that, and it affected my perform- LONDON: British boxers, Carl Froch (left) and George Groves, go face to face, during the official weigh- ance in such a negative way but it will not happen again. in ahead of their super-middleweight world title rematch today, at Wembley Arena. — AP “There is nothing Groves can say that will wind me up. The of a psychiatrist. He is boldly predicting a quick finish as he embarrassing, so he’s trying to be calm. “If you take away way he behaves and they way he is reminds me of how continues his provocative comments up to the fight, the last 10 seconds of the fight where the referee stopped my four-year-old son Rocco behaves.” Froch’s talks with a which could generate upwards of £20 million. “Everything it for no reason, you look at that fight and there is no way psychologist have not stopped him dismissing the I say to him is for a reason,” Groves said. “If you are driving you believe I lost. “So that’s what Carl has to deal with in chances and quality of Groves, who has been beaten once home in your car and your kids are playing up in the back- his head. It’s his age and stage of the game, there’s noth- in 20 fights. seat, I’m pretty sure that is taxing. You are trying to hold ing he can do. “He’s not that clever or cute, it doesn’t need “I am confident of beating him because the first fight your composure and not shout at them. a special strategy to beat him. “Once he walks on to shots could not have got any worse for me or better for him,” “That’s how Carl sees me, he thinks I’m a petulant kid he won’t get up. My trainer is saying five rounds, I’m say- Froch added. Groves has dismissed Froch’s sessions with a playing up in the back seat and wants to turn around and ing three. What ever he does this time, I will have it cov- psychologist, suggesting his rival instead needs the help tell me to behave. But he doesn’t want to because it’s ered.” — AFP Prior concern a Boxing hero Pacquiao seeks worry for Cook to become basketball champ MANILA: Being world boxing champ, a heavy- the basketball court, especially in coaching. “You weight politician, an actor and a preacher is not create strategies during the game. It is like boxing. MANCHESTER: Alastair Cook’s focus today, as always, and so far the injury enough for the Philippines’ irrepressible Manny When I am in a fight, my mind works and shifts may be on the ongoing one-day series has responded very well!” Prior returns Pacquiao-now he wants to be a professional basket- faster. In a split second, I can decide on changing with Sri Lanka but the fitness of wicket- to Sussex duty in Twenty20 match baller. The pint-sized 35-year-old has caused shock- strategies,” he said. Pacquiao parlayed his boxing keeper Matt Prior ahead of the Test away to Glamorgan, although it is pos- waves and much disbelief with his adoring fans at fame to get elected to the Philippines’ Congress and matches with the tourists is a concern sible he may play as a batsman only. home by declaring his intention to become a play- has stated he wants to be president when he even- for the England captain. Established Even if he is behind the stumps, keep- ing coach for an expansion team in the Philippine tually finishes his boxing career. He has also earned Test gloveman Prior was dropped from ing wicket for 20 overs is no sure fire Basketball Association (PBA). “Even when I was a kid, a fortune advertising products, flirted with acting the side during the team’s 5-0 Ashes way of assessing his fitness for the even before I learnt to box, basketball was my first and singing careers and worked as a TV gameshow thrashing in Australia but it had been rather more onerous task of donning love,” Pacquiao, who has won an unprecedented host. Since embracing Christianity in recent years, expected the 32-year-old would force the gloves for the 90 overs of a Test eight boxing world titles in different divisions, told Pacquiao has also tried his hand as a preacher. his way back into the team for next match day. reporters this week. If Pacquiao pushes through with his basketball month’s two-Test series. However, the And with doubts over the batting Pacquiao stands at 1.69 meters (five feet, seven career, he would have to do so while training for 32-year-old Sussex stumper has since ability of Jonny Bairstow, who replaced inches) and has no history as a basketballer in com- an upcoming fight in November and serving his suffered an Achilles injury which has Prior during the Ashes, and the keep- petitive leagues, but intends to serve as playing constituents as a Congressman. But veteran restricted him to just two first-class ing skills of Jos Buttler, England’s one- coach for the newly created Kia Motors team when Filipino sportswriter Recah Trinidad said a busy matches this season, both at the start day gloveman, the selectors face a of April. It had been hoped Prior would tricky decision ahead of next week’s the next PBA conference starts in October. He schedule would be the least of Pacquiao’s con- return for Sussex’s First Division squad announcement for the first Test defended himself against critics who said he would cerns, predicting he would be a flop if he steps on County Championship match away to at Lord’s on June 12. “It is a big con- be no match for the professionals of the league, to the professional court. “He has the passion but Middlesex at Northwood but rain cern,” Cook, speaking after England’s which has produced players with enough quality to he doesn’t have the rhythm. He tends to be awk- caused the fixture to be a washout. stunning 10-wicket win in the third see the Philippines qualify for this year’s World Cup. ward,” said Trinidad, who has seen ‘Pac-Man’ play Even before no play was possible one-day international at Old Trafford Pacquiao is known for playing intense pick-up during breaks in his boxing training, when asked on Thursday’s final day it was decided on Wednesday, said of Prior’s fitness. games during breaks in training for his boxing to assess Pacquiao’s basketball prowess. Other crit- Prior would be better off undergoing a “He’s incredibly frustrated, because matches, and remains in top physical condition ics believe Pacquiao’s public basketball ambitions training session with England wicket- Achilles injuries are hard to heal. He’s a while enjoying a successful sunset to his career in are just a marketing gimmick for the new team, keeping coach Bruce French. big part of our plans, but we can’t rush the ring. and he will not even take to the court, accusations Afterwards, Prior told his Twitter fol- a guy back. That wouldn’t be fair on Pacquiao said he would rely chiefly on his experi- his business manager insist are false. “This is not a lowers: “Hard session with frenchy him or to the England team.” — AFP ence from playing in the streets and town squares, publicity stunt. He doesn’t do such things,” Eric and that his years in the ring would also help him on Pineda said. — AFP