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As the highly anticipated rematch between Carl Froch and George Groves draws ever closer, the verbal barbs are becoming more acute.
The duo take each other on at Wembley this Saturday with the WBA and IBF title on the line after their first fight was controversially stopped in Froch's favour in November.
The verbal sparring between the pair suggests that their dislike is genuine and Irish middleweight boxer Matthew 'The Tipperary Tornado' Macklin reckons that it is almost a shout-out to boxing's more entertaining days.
"It's a rivalry that takes you back to the days of Eubank and Benn where there is genuine dislike for each other," said the former European Middleweight champion who joined us on the line tonight.
"From the mind games point of view, I think Groves has done a number on Froch in the first fight. But I don't think Froch is taking the bait as much this time."
Macklin believes mind games cannot be underrated at the highest level of boxing and he explained how Froch and Groves illustrate that.
He also thinks that Froch will not start as badly as he did in the first fight, when he takes on Groves again, and he also questioned whether the latter can perform better than he did in November.
"Groves will have the advantage early on. He has the speed and the movement. Even though Carl will be sharper early on, I don't think he'll be as lackadaisical as he was last time. But I think Groves will have the edge in the opening rounds," said Macklin, who believes Froch's stamina will become more important the longer the fight goes on.
He also touched on his own frustrating year which has featured no fights thus far and hopes to fight before the end of the summer.
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