Boxing is back!

Professional boxing in this country doesn't have anything like the appeal and interest to the general public that it used to have. There was a time when the names of British and World champions were known to just about everyone but not anymore. It was easy to keep track when there were eight or ten weight divisions and a universally recognised world champion in each. Now, with seventeens weights and half a dozen governing bodies, you have to be very committed to the sport to keep up. The long time absence of boxing from terrestrial TV must have resulted in some loss of interest as well. Not that there is a lack of quality fighters, or for that matter quality promotions, but for whatever reasons boxing is no longer a mainstream interest. Well the trend was reversed last night and no mistake. Eighty thousand fans packed into the Wembley Arena to see Carl Froch defend his IBF and WBA super-middleweight titles against George Groves. Their first match had resulted in a controversial stoppage and a win for the champion. Froch left no room for doubt last night bringing matters to a close in the eighth round with as good a right hand as anyone can remember. The fight showcased the physical chess, conditioning, courage and mental will that make boxing a unique sport. For one night only - boxing was back.