George Groves takes on Noe Gonzalez as the chief support to Froch-Kessler II on May 25 and is already setting his sights on a world title. Sky Sports' Richie Woodhall gives his verdict...
He can react straight away when he's hit. It's natural but you will see a lot of experienced guys, when they are caught, don't react straight away. Take Bernard Hopkins for example and watch him, because when he is hit he doesn't just try and land one back, he doesn't respond instantly and bides his time.
Natural
George though is still at that stage where the instant reaction is natural. As he matures he will learn to take his time.
But there are plenty of aspects to his game that are in place to ensure a long and, above all, successful career. The boy has just got a nice, all-round boxing ability. He's a very skilful boxer, that willingness to stand there and trade makes him exciting to watch and, at the end of the day, you have to pull in the crowds to become a success and he can already do that.
I hope we get to see his skills on show against Alcoba. Groves needs to choose his attacks carefully against such a big puncher, but if he does get caught up then at least the lad also has decent power - as the 14 KOs suggest.
He has a great jab ,as well - and to be quite frank, his all-round technincal talent is a great launch pad. Those skills will take him all the way and a lot further than just his willingness to go toe-to-toe. Boxing is better than fighting!
If ever there was proof of that it was the last time Groves fought at the O2 Arena, when he beat James DeGale. It was for the British and Commonwealth title and it was the sort of grudge match you don't see very often.
I was impressed, not only with Groves's display physically, but mentally as well because there was a lot of pressure. George had to hold it all together and it was easy to get involved in a brawl but he boxed really well; better than against any other fighter in his career so far.
I want to see his skills more because I always say you can drag two blokes off the street and make a great fight, but you'd do well to drag two in who can box! For me, those skills are the things I admire the most and George Groves has a lot of boxing ability.
There is always a gameplan and you are meant to stick to it but, whatever a fight throws up, you have to adjust and although you have an overall gameplan, you cannot always stick to it.
And the trainer, in this case Adam Booth, they can't do anything until the round is over. It is down to the fighter's mental approach, his mindset and smartness and I have to say George showed that mental strength against DeGale.
Change
He had to change in that fight and he did it brilliantly, because he had to. People always look at up-and-coming boxers and try and work out their style; but that is impossible to call at this stage of his career. He respects his trainer beyond doubt and he has the brain power to make changes himself during a fight.
Personally I would like to see George box on the back foot because when I say he has to be a bit more patient, I think he also has to break down his opponents behind his boxing rather than trying to blow them away. If you totally outclass an opponent he will break down physically and mentally and when the mental side goes, the physical collapse is not far behind. If George concentrates on those skills and on out-boxing opponents, then the rest will follow.
It will come for Groves as well, I am sure. He has moved up the ladder quite quickly with the belts, but in terms of his development and progress, it is the class he is now going in against. In December he beat Glen Johnson and those types of fights and fighters will help you to learn about the game.
Knocking guys out left, right and centre is an adrenalin rush and it is exciting but the moment you come up against an experienced, world level guy like Johnson who you hit with your hardest punch and he just smiles and hits you back and hurts you, then you're in a real fight - and learn a real lesson.
George has been in with him already and he wants names, which usually means experienced fighters, every time he fights. The penny will drop sooner rather than later.
