DURING the time I spent with Paddy Fitzpatrick for this interview, talk inevitably turned to Froch-Groves II.

Now, no-one needs reminding of how the fight ended – Carl Froch delivering a perfect punch to knock George Groves out.

But while the ending of that is not disputed, the opening seven rounds are.

I freely admit that on first viewing, having consumed several beverages, I had it level, but when I re-watched the fight – without the sound – I struggled to make a case for Froch winning any round.

If you do get the chance to watch the fight again, do so, and with the sound off. Also listen to Sky interviewing Amir Khan between the rounds.

Khan said that he was impressed with how Groves was boxing but the interviewer asked him repeatedly if he meant Froch and the former light-welterweight world champion replied: ‘No, George’.

“It is funny how, you hear people saying that George, in his last four fights, hasn’t looked good,” said Fitzpatrick.

“But correct me if I’m wrong, after the first one, they were talking as if he (Groves) was a god.

“Now you’ve seen the second fight. And then against (Christopher) Rebrasse, he didn’t lose a round, and (Denis) Douglin, he didn’t lose a round.

“It is amazing when that happens - because you win by a knockout, it almost vindicates everything, like when Carl knocked out Jermain Taylor with 10 seconds left - he got his butt whooped for 11 rounds.”

While Froch still searches for a fight in Las Vegas, and Groves waits on Anthony Dirrell for his shot at the WBC title, Fitzpatrick believes that there would be mileage in making a third fight.

“George hasn’t brought it up – not in my company anyway. Not until somebody interviewing him has brought up Carl, then he answers the question” Paddy said.

“Carl brings up George, even without anyone asking him the question.

“Carl has not put this to bed. He is not happy about it, he still has a bad taste for George.”