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Twitter was ablaze during today's rematch between George Groves and Carl Froch, who set out to bring a satisfying close to their rivalry after the controversial referee stoppage that ended their first bout in November of 2013. That's exactly what took place, as Froch knocked out Groves with a picture-perfect right hand near the end of round 8, after being outboxed by Groves for much of the fight.
Of all the reactions to the finish, none was better than this one from Groves himself.
Haven't watched it back properly yet but I think... I got knocked the fuck out! #Rematch lol
— George Groves (@StGeorgeGroves) May 31, 2014
Though he didn't get the win he wanted, his good humor and sportsmanship is a pleasant change of pace from the bitter words exchanged between he and Froch since the first fight. It's nice to see Groves take this loss on the chin, figuratively as well as literally.
Below you can find a sampling of other reactions to the KO.
Hats off to @StGeorgeGroves He will be a Champion. Still more to learn. Just too many youth mistakes in this one. #FrochGroves2
— Lennox Lewis (@LennoxLewis) May 31, 2014
That looked almost like two-piece I gave to Rahman in our second fight. #FrochGroves2
— Lennox Lewis (@LennoxLewis) May 31, 2014
Headline News: Lennox Lewis retains psychic license as Froch KO's Groves in 8th rnd. #FrochGroves2
— Lennox Lewis (@LennoxLewis) May 31, 2014
That #KO settled that. Nice job #Champ! #FrochGroves2 @HBOboxing #boxing @Carl_Froch
— Rosie Perez (@rosieperezbklyn) May 31, 2014
That KO was from the 80's. #FrochGroves2 #boxing
— Gabriel Montoya™ (@Gabriel_Montoya) May 31, 2014
Impressive win but let's not bring up @andreward. If you think Groves frustrated Froch, Dre will embarrass him... Again #FrochGroves2
— Jamel Herring (@JamelHerring) May 31, 2014
And a sampling of tweets from during the back-and-forth fight.
Groves is now taking it back! Froch now digging in! Love it! It's about to get ugly! 5th #FrochGroves2 @HBOboxing @SkySportsBoxing #boxing
— Rosie Perez (@rosieperezbklyn) May 31, 2014
Froch is killing Groves' belly in round five. I expect a late Froch stoppage win if this continues. #FrochGroves2 #boxing
— Gabriel Montoya™ (@Gabriel_Montoya) May 31, 2014
Jim Watt is beyond biased I have to admit. Very unprofessional. #FrochGroves2
— LaceupBoxing (@LaceUpBoxing) May 31, 2014
Rnd 3 to groves. So far it's been mostly out of range but GG is closing the gap on his right hand. Froch better be careful. #FrochGroves2
— Lennox Lewis (@LennoxLewis) May 31, 2014
#FrochGroves2 somebody is getting knocked out.
— Oscar De La Hoya (@OscarDeLaHoya) May 31, 2014