Ranking the Trainers Who Could Potentially Work with George Groves Next

George Groves is on the lookout for a new trainer after confirming the end of his working relationship with Paddy Fitzpatrick. 

In a frank interview with Sky Sports, Groves said, "After the last fight, I think he came to terms with the fact our styles just didn't gel. His style of training didn't really work with my style of fighting."

The news hardly comes as a surprise following the Englishman’s split-decision loss to WBC super-middleweight champion Badou Jack.

Fitzpatrick himself had predicted the split after the defeat in Las Vegas, telling Owen Ryan of the Clare Champion, "It’s me that’s saying this now but if George was to come back, he would need, and I think it would be better, to be with a different trainer."

It was the third time Groves, 27, had failed to come out on top in a world-title fight, with the other two losses coming at the hands of compatriot Carl Froch.

Now he is searching for a new man to take control of his corner.

There were a number of names talked about by Groves in the interview, including potential candidates on both sides of the Atlantic.

Here, Bleacher Report ranks the training options mentioned by Groves, who dismissed a return to Adam Booth. Each has been given a grade to predict the likelihood of them ending up in the job.

Freddie Roach’s CV makes him a strong candidate for any fighter looking to hire a world-class trainer.

The American—who is in the International Boxing Hall of Fame—has worked with a long list of modern greats, most notably Manny Pacquiao.

He trained former super middleweight world champion Steve Collins at one stage in the Irishman’s career, while Amir Khan also had a spell working out of Roach’s Wild Card gym in Los Angeles.

Despite dealing with Parkinson’s disease, the 55-year-old is still as active as ever in the fight game. 

Why it could happen

Khan turned to Roach for help after a shocking loss at the hands of Breidis Prescott in 2008. The move helped the Bolton boxer win two world titles—right now, Groves would be happy with just one.

Saint George travelled to Big Bear, California, for his last training camp, so he may be willing to relocate again to work with someone of Roach’s reputation.

Why it probably won’t happen

Roach is a very, very busy man. Although Pacquiao may be winding down his career, it’s not like the trainer doesn’t have plenty of other fighters to fill his time.

He recently helped Viktor Postol become a world champion and is now getting Miguel Cotto ready for his clash with Saul Alvarez in November.

Grade: D

Virgil Hunter is another well-respected trainer in America who will surely be considered by Groves.

He has built his reputation off the back of Andre Ward’s stellar career, having worked with the world champion since he was a youngster.

Their success together has attracted other fighters to Hunter’s stable, and he now also works the corner for Andre Berto and Amir Khan.

Known for his attention to detail and defensive strategies, Hunter was voted Trainer of the Year by the boxing writers in 2011.

Why it could happen

Khan teamed up with Hunter because he wanted someone who would focus more time on him, particularly when it came to working on improving his defence.

Groves—stopped twice by Carl Froch and knocked down in the opening round by Badou Jack—seemingly has similar criteria for his new coach, as he is now at the crossroads in his pro career.

Why it probably won’t happen

Hunter recently made clear that he wished Khan would spend more time in the United States, according to Declan Taylor of the Daily Mail.

That could also be an issue with Groves, who while willing to travel for camp, is not likely to want to spend extended amounts of extra time away from his family.

Grade: D+

Tony Sims has aligned himself to promoters Matchroom Boxing and is now working with some of the company’s biggest names.

Based in Essex, England, he has a real mix of fighters in his gym, from heavyweight prospect Anthony Joshua to the experienced pairing of Ricky Burns and Kevin Mitchell.

He helped Darren Barker bounce back from the disappointment of a defeat at the hands of world champion Sergio Martinez, steering the middleweight to the IBF title before injury cut short his career.

Sims is not just a trainer, though, as he explained to John Dennen of Boxing News, "I like to be in control of who their opponents are going to be and financially what they’re getting and when they’re going to be fighting."

Why it could happen

Geographically, teaming up with Sims could make sense for Londoner Groves.

He would also get the chance to work alongside someone like Mitchell, who knows just what it is like to lose world-title challenges (he’s 0 for 3 in his career).

Why it probably won’t happen

Sims is a busy man, as he told Dennen, "The difficult part of it all [is] levelling it out so you spend a decent amount of time with each individual."

Groves needs to feel loved, rather than one of the crowd. He also has a different promoter in Sauerland, though they do have an excellent working relationship with Matchroom boss, Eddie Hearn.

Grade: C

Robert McCracken challenged for a world title during his own boxing career, losing to American Keith Holmes.

He retired after a defeat to Howard Eastman in 2001, hanging up his gloves to don a pair of pads instead.

The Birmingham-born trainer has enjoyed success working with amateurs, training Great Britain’s boxing squad to five medals, including three golds, at the 2012 Olympics.

However, he is perhaps best known for working with Carl Froch. Yes, the same Carl Froch who twice ruined Groves’ hopes of becoming a world champion.

Why it might happen

McCracken knows plenty about Groves, having been in the opposite corner to him twice. He will have studied Saint George and know his strengths and weaknesses. 

But, with Froch now retired and enjoying a new career in the media, there would be no conflict of interests.

Groves himself says he would have no issue working with a man who previously plotted his downfall, telling Sky Sports, "I wouldn't be opposed to it. In boxing, you have no enemies: One week you are at loggerheads with someone, then the next week it all works out.”

Why it probably won’t happen

Saint George teaming up with McCracken would be a sensational twist in the Froch-Groves story, and a testament to the adage that if you can’t beat them, join them. 

However, the move could hit a stumbling block if the trainer still feels his ties are too strong to Froch, who insisted earlier this year he will “never be friends” with Groves.

Grade: B

The son of former world champion, Barry, Shane McGuigan has stepped out of his father’s shadow while working with Carl Frampton.

Under the guidance of the McGuigans, Frampton has won the Commonwealth, European and IBF world titles at super bantamweight.

Shane McGuigan took over the role of trainer in 2011, despite being two years younger than The Jackal. As well as technique and tactics, he also looks after the strength and conditioning side of things too. 

He told Chris McKenna of the Daily Star, "Being a boxing coach is more than just a training camp, it is being a psychiatrist as well."

Why it could happen

If Groves wants to stay close to home, teaming up with McGuigan—whose gym is in Battersea, London—would cut down his commute.

Plus, if he wants someone in his corner who can guide him through the tough times, McGuigan might be the man for him. He helped Frampton recover from being knocked down twice in the opening round against Alejandro Gonzalez Jr.

Why it won’t happen

McGuigan has a small stable of fighters, but Frampton sits on top of the pile. Would there be enough room/time to work with Groves, too? 

That could be one of the few stumbling blocks to a match that makes a lot of sense for both parties.

Grade: A