George Groves vs. Andrea Di Luisa: Lessons Learned from London Fight
George Groves enjoyed a successful start to life under new trainer Shane McGuigan, as he stopped Andrea Di Luisa at the Copper Box Arena in London on Saturday.
Fighting for the first time since a third failed attempt to win a world title, Saint George registered three knockdowns before the Italian Di Luisa's corner threw in the towel in Round 5.
The super middleweight's routine victory was the perfect comeback following his disappointing points defeat at the hands of WBC champion Badou Jack in September 2015.
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Here, Bleacher Report picks out the major talking points from the main event, as well as highlights one of the undercard bouts in the English capital.
New Beginnings
Groves is used to having to lift himself after setbacks. His first defeat against Carl Froch in 2013 left him seething at a referee, while the rematch saw him on the wrong end of a brutal knockout.
However, the result against Jack—when he came out on the wrong end of a split decision in Las Vegas—must be the most disappointing of his three failed attempts to win a world title. He recovered from a first-round knockdown to take control in the middle stages, only to run out of gas down the stretch.
He needed to make changes. Out went trainer Paddy Fitzpatrick, in came McGuigan.
The son of former world champion Barry McGuigan, the London-based trainer is in demand these days, having also recently taken on heavyweight David Haye.
So, were there signs of a new Groves against Di Luisa?
It was noticeable that he had some snap back in his jab. He also had a desire to load up with the right hand, albeit with a little too much emphasis on hitting with power as the rounds ticked by.
But, Di Luisa didn't provide a stern enough test to allow the audience to fully see what Groves and McGuigan have been working on in their first training camp together.
The Italian—who Lucian Bute had stopped inside four rounds in 2015—was an easy target to hit. It was the boxing equivalent of trying to hit a pinata without wearing a blindfold.
Di Luisa also had the will to win beaten out of him quickly, which made it only a matter of time before the bout came to a rather inevitable conclusion.
Crucially, though, Groves looked happy to be back boxing again. It is easy to forget he is still only 27, so time is on his side.
He was pleased with the return to action, per Richard Damerell of Sky Sports: "I feel fresh. I'm back on Sky and headlining in London. We'll look for another big date. I'm ready to crack on."
Groves has been knocked for his near misses in the past, but he cannot be faulted for his persistence.
Standing Tall
Former cruiserweight world champion Glenn McCrory spotted one area of concern in his post-fight analysis of Groves' performance for Sky Sports:
"A little chink I saw... he's always had quite a wide stance but it looked as though it was getting even wider. If you're throwing a jab and want to throw another jab and have a wide stance, you can't do that.
If you want to throw your right hand afterwards as well, you can't do that because it's too wide. I don't know whether that's a little bit because he got weary of being too close.
"
Groves had issues landing the right in pursuit of an early finish, but he wasn't helped by an opponent who retreated into a bunker after quickly realising he was way out of his depth.
The Englishman needs a tougher task next time out.
Pro boxers on Twitter kept on bringing up one particular name:
Groves vs. Martin Murray would pit together two of Britain's nearly men.
The winner would be lined up for yet another chance at a world title (Murray has had four failed attempts over two different weights, so he is even more experienced than Groves at falling short in the big fight). The loser, however, would be left wondering quite where to turn next.
The desperation in both corners would only add to the tension on the night.
Learning in Defeat
John Wayne Hibbert's clash with Tommy Martin was the pick of the fights in the English capital.
The two former sparring partners put on a show for the Copper Box crowd, with Hibbert retaining his Commonwealth and WBC International titles courtesy of a stoppage in Round 12.
But, despite suffering a first defeat in his 14th pro fight, Martin was praised on Twitter for his performance:
The defeat can be a learning experience for Martin, who definitely needs to work on his counting skills. An error in judgment led to the 21-year-old failing to rise from a knockdown in time to carry on.
He was initially frustrated at the decision by the referee to wave the fight off, but he was a spent force by then anyway.
Hibbert's advantage in both experience and size made the difference, but Martin can come again.
Too often fighters—and promoters, too—fear losing to such an extent they avoid the type of challenges that are needed early in a career.
It not just about developing boxing skills—it is also about gaining a ring education. By putting boxers into different situations, you help them learn what is required to be successful at higher levels.
Martin will be smarting at the result in London; however, he may find the reverse benefits him in the long run.
Ban the Band
It seems brass instruments and boxing do not mix. According to many on Twitter, Groves needs to make sure the band who play for the England national football team are not on the guest list for his next fight:
"@SkySportsBoxing I would enjoy Groves vs di Luisa much more if someone pulled the plug on that annoying brass band #boxingnotoompah
— David Jones (@davidcjjones) January 30, 2016"
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