BOXING fans are looking forward to an interesting night of action on Saturday and The Predictor looks ahead to three of the most intriguing bouts on the card.
Regis Prograis v Josh Taylor
For both Josh Taylor and Regis Prograis, domination at 140lb awaits. The final of the World Boxing Super Series takes place on Saturday evening at the O2, with the Muhammed Ali Trophy, Prograis’s WBA title and Taylor’s IBF strap all to the winner.
The victor would only require Jose Ramirez’s WBC/WBO belts to complete the set.
This really is a tough one to call, with both men in their prime and on the up. Both have unblemished records with a high percentage of wins by knock out. Both have impressive wins in the Super Series behind them to get to this stage.
Whilst both men undoubtedly possess great technical skills, I think this will be more of a blood and thunder encounter as opposed to a cagey technical affair. Prograis has demonstrated some explosive offensive skills and I think this fight will suit his offence, particularly as Taylor’s defence is the weaker of the two.
I fancy both men to have success offensively in the fight, and expect Prograis to make his success count to a telling degree, most likely later in the fight.
- Main Stake – Taylor to be knocked down 2/1 (William Hill)
- Medium Stake – Prograis to win by TKO / KO / DQ (Skybet)
- Small Stakes – Prograis to win in Rounds 10 – 12 20/1 (Skybet)
Dereck Chisora v David Price
On the undercard an interesting all British heavyweight encounter. David Price steps in at short notice to take on the dangerous Dereck Chisora.
Questions about Chisora’s motivation levels swirl around almost of all of his fights and it is a consideration here given this is a much lesser bout than the originally scheduled matchup with Joseph Parker.
However in a big box office fight, I think we’ll see A-game Chisora at the O2 as he continues the Indian Summer of his career.
Price upset the odds against the limited Dave Allen in his last fight, but this will be an altogether different affair. Chisora can be relied upon to let his hands go, and when he does Price won’t have the defence to repel the fiery Londoner.
Chisora by TKO / KO / DQ at 1/2 is a little low to appeal as a single. I expect Chisora to take a few rounds to figure Price out and Price did show some decent movement behind a jab to keep Price at distance earlier this year, so I’m going for medium and small stakes only on this one.
- Medium Stake – Chisora in rounds 7 – 12 13/5 (Coral and Ladbrokes)
- Small Stakes – Chisora in round 7 13/1 (Marathonbet)
Lee Selby v Ricky Burns
Finally another intriguing British encounter, although this time with two much more closely matched fighters.
Ricky Burns and Lee Selby have both held world titles in the past and both can be relied upon to give it everything in the O2.
Neither possess great knock out power and this one is almost certain to go the distance. It’s a tough one to call but I think the younger and fresher Selby can be relied upon to put in the higher workrate, which ultimately will make the difference in this one.
- Medium stakes – Selby by decision 10/11 (BetVictor)
I’ll also have a punt on Taylor to be knocked down and Chisora by KO/TKO/DQ – Double pays 3.5/1 with William Hill.
Good luck fight fans!
