Retired Benn, 50, is much revered in boxing circles around the world after ‘The Dark Destroyer’ ripped through the middleweight and super-middleweight divisions in the 1990’s, having also been involved himself in a blockbuster home rivalry with Chris Eubank.
Benn and Eubank lit up Manchester United’s Old Trafford Stadium in 1993 in a rematch of their epic clash three years earlier and the Londoner is now anticipating another fierce battle between Froch and Groves on Saturday night.
In the build-up to both bouts, Eubank attempted to use mind games to unsettle the-then champion, something which Benn has no animosity towards and sees at a big part of the sport nowadays.
“”The mind games is just part and parcel of the game,” Benn told World Boxing News.
“I think you need that in this sport because it starts the other person thinking; ‘is he right what he is saying?’ and can have a impact on the fight.
“I believe George has the edge, not just because of mind games, but because he is young and strong and has speed on his side If he fights the way we know he can, then I see him stopping Carl because Froch knows he has the power now from the first fight.”
Froch v Groves 2 has been billed by promoter Eddie Hearn as ‘the biggest fight in British boxing history’ in the build-up, although Benn was a little apprehensive when asked if he agreed with that statement.
“I don’t know if it is the biggest or most lucrative fight in British history, but if so then more power to them as they are putting on a show for the fans,” said Benn.
A win for Groves, as predicted by Benn, could set-up yet another huge British rematch against Olympic gold medallist James DeGale if he beats Brandon Gonzales on the same bill, with Benn comparing a Groves v DeGale return to his own previous battles with Eubank.
“James DeGale will always be there for Groves because the two have a history like me and Chris Eubank. Let’s see if he can get the win too and then we could have another rematch to talk about.”
Nigel’s son Conor is an up and coming young fighter also. You can follow him on Twitter @ConorNigel
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