Monday 29 May 2017 10:17, UK
Carl Froch believes he has "buried the hatchet" with George Groves after his former foe was finally crowned world champion.
'The Cobra' stood up at ringside and applauded as soon as Groves stopped Fedor Chudinov in the sixth round to seize the vacant WBA 'super' super-middleweight title in Sheffield.
It was Groves' fourth attempt at a world title but after two unforgettable showdowns with Froch and three years of failing to shake hands, the 39-year-old feels like the win has finally brought the pair's feud to a close.
"I couldn't do anything other than applaud George Groves' win," Froch told Sky Sports.
"We did catch each other's eyes at the end and it just made me feel good.
"I applauded him nodding 'well done' and he looked at me and went 'thanks', as if to say that hatchet has been buried and we can move on now.
"He so desperately wanted to be a world champion and he came desperately close in the first fight with me."
Froch also saw huge improvement under the guidance of coach Shane McGuigan which he believes will bring even bigger successes.
And with Groves' long-standing foe, James DeGale, holding the IBF super-middleweight strap, the man who used to hold it is backing his acquaintance to prise it away, should they meet again.
"Groves has got his fitness in check and Shane McGuigan, his fitness coach and his nutritionist have done a great job. He can have a scrap and get through it.
"I will definitely say it now: he beats James DeGale.
"He could be his nemesis for a start. He beat him in the amateurs, he beat him as a professional and he [DeGale] got his teeth knocked out by Badou Jack.
"Losing your teeth doesn't mean you're a bad fighter, but he was beaten up badly and nicked the draw.
"George Groves now looks like he is getting better, but with DeGale he is at that point where you think he's not."
