How, just how, did two judges have Groves only one point up when the fight was stopped? It's hard to imagine that anybody watching that fight did not think Groves had won or drawn six of the completed eight rounds, including a possible two-point difference in the opening three minutes.
Maybe Foster did boxing a favour by stopping the fight, because assuming Froch was awarded the ninth round he would only have needed to win two of the final three rounds to triumph on points. Or worse, an equal three rounds which the judges award to him anyway.
The uproar of a win on points for Froch would have been massive, even more so than a premature stoppage.
It was clear to everyone watching that the final result would be a Froch knockout or Groves winning on points. As it was, a knockout looked more likely and it is a shame that Froch's win has been tainted by not getting the chance to finish the job, having comeback from a disastrous first round and taken some fierce punishment thereafter. We should be applauding Froch's courage and spirit to somehow turn the fight around.
Equally, if Groves had been able to withstand the barrage and close out the fight, he should have enjoyed his triumphant moment. Boxing is unlike other sports in that fighters train for months to prepare for a bout, and often have only one opportunity in the ring against their opponent. It is a do-or-die moment and defeat can take months to be rectified.
Groves had his chance taken away from him and must now hope for a re-match for which there is no guarantee. Even if he is afforded another chance, Froch will be much more ready and unlikely to be so heavily out-boxed.
In some ways there should be sympathy for referee Foster, who had to make a quick decision and might have (prematurely at least) thought Groves' health was at risk.
There is a changing atmosphere regarding serious injury in sport, with the NFL having to pay out $765 million to more than 4,500 players and their families after they were accused of hiding the risks of concussion.
The links between concussion and the degenerative brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) are becoming more well known and maybe early stoppages will become more of the norm in boxing.
Either way, it was a poor decision by Foster, one which current and former boxers derided. Groves seemed ready to go again and in the interviews straight afterwards showed no signs of ill health.
It was not as bad a decision as the judging though. Boxing has little credibility when it comes to the three men and women who decide the victor in a fight where both men are still standing at the end. There is no trust for them to reach the correct verdict after 12 rounds.
What it comes down to is we have been let down. A terrific fight - a real-grudge match with both men throwing themselves at each other and the crowd getting involved - has been soured by a decision in the ring and, equally, by shocking judgement from those giving the scores. No re-match will make up for that.
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