Carl Froch (left) and George Groves
British boxer George Groves, is scheduled for a May
31, 2014 rematch against champion Carl Froch, in London’s legendary
Wembley stadium. Taking a page from the Floyd Mayweather school of
boxing, Groves has decided to take a more hands on approach to his
career. Groves applied for a boxing license in Britain to become his
own manager, in a move that has been granted by the commission.
Groves, presumably with the help of a lawyer, is negotiating his own
contracts.
Groves stated of the bold move, "I may not be the
smartest man in west London but I do know that an 80,000 crowd
brings in £5million. Then there's the television and so on. So I'm
not going to accept £100,000 or £1m." Groves was reportedly offered
$1,600,000 to fight Matchroom boxer, Froch, but held out for more.
As an athlete, you have to earn all you can while you can,
especially in sports like boxing and football, where injuries can
really sideline careers.
Froch pushing Groves
If Groves is of the belief he has the acumen to be
his own manager and make the most astute, financially savvy and
sound decisions, why not. He will make more money in doing so,
provided he pursues the right deals inside and outside the ring.
Froch v. Groves, in addition to the undercard featuring boxers like
gold medalist Anthony Joshua, promises to be an interesting and
entertaining night of boxing.
STORY SOURCE
Groves: I don't trust anyone to manage me
April 4, 2014 - George Groves has applied for a
manager's licence from boxing's authorities because he doesn't trust
anyone to look after him following his controversial fight with Carl
Froch. Londoner Groves was unhappy after being stopped by referee
Howard Foster in the ninth round at the Manchester Arena and battled
hard to secure a rematch, set to take place at Wembley Stadium on
May 31.
It took a protest to the International Boxing
Federation in New York to force another world super middleweight
title bout - and it led to Groves deciding that he is better off
sorting out his own business. "He's in a bad place" George Groves
believes he has the psychological advantage over Carl Froch as the
pair prepare for their rematch at Wembley. "I know I would have
beaten him the first time if it hadn't been improperly stopped," he
told talkSPORT." Now there's no way Carl can beat me.
"He says he can't even stand to hear my name spoken
and he can't look at me for the stare-down photographs which are
part of being a professional and selling a fight. "He's seeking help
from a sports psychologist because he's in a bad place." "You have
to have a manager to be a boxer and you can no longer just appoint
yourself as your own manager like the old days," he explained to the
Daily Mail. "So I formally applied to the British Boxing Board of
Control for a manager's licence.
"It's taken a while because first they said I hadn't
done the form properly, then I hadn't sent the two photographs. But
it's all done now. "I'm taking charge of my own business because I
don't trust anyone at the moment." Promoter Eddie Hearn reportedly
offered Groves £1 million for the Froch rematch, but Groves wasn't
interested as interest in the fight hit fever pitch...
