Wednesday 22 June 2016 11:15, UK
Saturday's super-middleweight showdown between George Groves and Martin Murray brings together two trainers who rarely see eye to eye with rival cornerman Joe Gallagher.
Shane McGuigan will continue rebuilding Groves, while Oliver Harrison will try to guide Martin Murray towards a fifth world title shot.
Gallagher has fallen out with both, so ahead of the Sky Sports Box Office event at The O2, we fired the Ring Magazine Trainer of the Year a quick Q&A to see who might come out on top..
You don't seem to like either of them, are you sitting on the trainer fence?
I like everybody - they just don't like me!
It's been very quiet so far... are the trainers going to keep it that way?
We all know it will be a case of both of them saying it's down to the fighters but I am sure deep down, it will be about bragging rights, especially for Shane and even if we don't hear much in the build-up, we certainly will if Groves wins. Shane lets everybody know, that's for sure. He already reminds us all he's never been beaten in the corner.
We might have to listen to Shane, but surely Groves is the only one that really needs to...
Both will have studied the opponents really well and I do feel Martin is going to listen to Oliver Harrison, 100 per cent, but will George Groves listen to Shane 100 per cent, all the way through? We've seen him fall out with Paddy Fitzpatrick in the Badou Jack fight and it didn't seem like he was really paying attention to him, doing his own thing. If things aren't going right, will he keep listening and stick to the gameplan? We know Martin will, but will Groves do that? It is a new relationship with Shane so we will find out.
Does that suggest you are leaning towards Oliver Harrison then?
Oliver has obviously been involved in big fights so he has got the experience - and all his big fights have been in Martin Murray's corner. Sometimes fighters do have a better idea because they are right in the heat of the battle but you won't see Martin stray from the gameplan.
If you were in Harrison's place, what would your gameplan for Murray be?
Martin has been in some really, really good fights and certainly had his moments against Sergio Martinez and Arthur Abraham, and of course went 11 rounds with Gennady Golovkin. I would just get him to do what he does, which means pressure. If he can get Groves into a scrap early on, then down the straight Martin will take over.
And if you were in the opposite corner?
I'd get Groves going back to how he was when he beat DeGale. I wouldn't let him stand there, static. I'd get him to use his legs more than he has, make angles and just keep moving. But we're just not sure he can do that for 12 rounds, if he's still got the legs for it.
In that case, would you try to get Groves to finish it in the first half?
I wouldn't. There aren't many gaps in Martin Murray's defence, compared to Carl Froch's for example, who always fought with his left hand low, looking for the right hand over the top. Martin was using his feet well in those early rounds against Golovkin, so who's not to say Martin doesn't come out and catch George with a counter shot?
What else does Murray bring with him?
Martin fights with a very tight, high guard with the elbows tucked in, has a solid jab and works the body well and above all, doesn't waste many punches. He will go the distance all day long, simply because he doesn't waste his energy.
What does your head say?
The blueprint is there, but whose gameplan will pay off and who will be able to impose it on the night? It's a 50-50 fight. They have both fought good world champions so it is a very good fight. If Groves still has the legs he could run out a clear points winner but if he doesn't, I expect Martin do grind him down.
And what about the heart? Whose side will you be on?
I am not on anyone's side. It is about the two fighters - no matter what either of them will say - but because I know the kid and see him around and have known him since he was an amateur, as a schoolboy going through, I've always got on with Martin Murray. I would love to see him fulfil his dream and that means coming through this one. And that is nothing against Groves - or either of the trainers.
Watch George Groves vs Martin Murray as part of Joshua vs Breazeale, live on Sky Sports Box Office from The O2, on June 25. Book the event via your Sky remote or online here.
