Brook vs Spence Jr: Frankie Buglioni has sparred George Groves and boxed Fedor Chudinov
Tuesday 23 May 2017 19:07, UK
Frank Buglioni shared a gruelling 12 rounds with Fedor Chudinov and has also sparred with George Groves, so we asked him to analyse this Saturday's world title fight.
The vacant WBA super-middleweight contest forms part of a huge Sheffield bill topped by Kell Brook and Errol Spence Jr, live on Sky Sports Box Office, and Buglioni will be an interested spectator having fallen short in his own world title attempt against Chudinov in 2015.
Who has the better jab?
Groves's jab is phenomenal. It's sharper than Fedor Chudinov's but not as frequent. Chudinov's jab is more like a piston, popping it out constantly and consistently whilst Groves's is more hair-trigger, he will flick out a soft jab then bang in a hard one-two.
Do you rate Chudinov's power?
Chudinov was not a massive puncher but every punch was hard and there was a lot of them. Having said that I watched some guys he fought before me and he wiped them out with left hooks and right hands. Groves's right hand is devastating if it lands though, I have felt that power in sparring.
How does their footwork compare?
Chudinov's footwork is a little bit more subtle than Groves's. He takes smaller steps and little angles. He will kind of ball forward and if you return shots he is not bad at adjusting and taking a half step back to give himself that distance before letting his shots flow like the uppercuts, hooks and body shots. I remember him being good at that.
With Groves, he is better at keeping his distance and moving around the ring with wider steps. He is not really renowned for being an inside fighter, but if I had my time again against Chudinov I would look to mix it a little bit on the inside at times.
Who has the faster hands?
It's very similar, to be honest. Groves's reactions are probably a little better than Chudinov's which gives him the slight advantage in this department as he can spring the counter-punch a little quicker.
Chudinov's toughness is world class, his work rate is world-class as well as his distance and his footwork. It is going to be a very tough ask for George Groves.
What is Chudinov's greatest strength?
It's his stamina, he conserves his energy well. He won't load up on punches, he will go at 80 per cent for the whole fight rather than do 100 per cent bursts whilst Groves does his work in bursts then takes time off before going again.
Chudinov is also hard as nails. When we fought I caught him with a shot and he just bounced up and carried on within 20 to 30 seconds and his power stayed the same throughout the 12 rounds. For me his toughness is world class, his work rate is world class as well as his distance and his footwork. It is going to be a very tough ask for George Groves.
Does Chudinov have any weaknesses?
He can get caught with the shots and can come a little bit square at times when he walks forward. I think Groves has to command Chudinov's respect straight away and sting him early by pumping that jab in his face and perhaps do some nose damage and slow the breathing down. Working the body too will take some wind out of him, and Groves can use that to set up that overhand right and try and get him out of there early.
Watch Groves vs Chudinov before Brook vs Spence Jr, from Bramall Lane, Sheffield, May 27, live on Sky Sports Box Office. Book the event online here or via your Sky remote.
