Saturday night brings us a bumper fight night with Kell Brook against unheralded Carson Jones the main event. On paper this looks a mismatch and probably is but there is still plenty of value to be found elsewhere on a classy card.
Gavin Rees v Derry Matthews
Former WBA Light Welterweight Champion Gavin Rees returns to our screens defending his EBU Lightweight strap against British Champion “Dirty” Derry Matthews.
This is a rematch from there 2011 clash when Derry Matthews was unable to continue after apparently breaking his nose with Rees up 29-28 on all three cards.
Matthews has really turned his career around since his retirement back in 2009 but in my opinion he has bitten off more than he can chew with the formidable Rees.
Rees has suffered just one defeat in 38 fights and has really been operating at a much higher level than Matthews.
He also and gave one of the most impressive performances of his career when he ripped the title away on French soil against Anthony Mezaache.
Rees will start quickly and set a searching pace having been whipped into shape by the unassuming trainer Gary Lockett. If they have done there homework they will know that a constant body attack that will make Matthews fold like a deckchair around the middle rounds.
I cannot see anything other than a Rees stoppage victory here and i’m elated that the bookmakers(Stan James aside) are prepared to offer me odds against.
Daily Sport recommended bet:
10pt (maximum bet) on Rees to win by KO/TKO or DQ – 11/8 generally available.
Grzegorz Proksa v Kerry Hope
Grzegorz “Super G” Proksa looks to reclaim his EBU European Middleweight title in a return bout against Kerry Hope. The hugely talented Proksa offered no real showing in the first bout, but I still feel he did enough to get the nod on the judges card in a bout that could have gone either way.
Proksa probably believed all he had to do was turn up for an assured victory, but he tired very quickly and was clueless in the later rounds of the fight against a seriously overmatched opponent.
I’m prepared to forgive Super G a very lacklustre performance and think he will be back to his brilliant best here. He will present Hope with plenty of problems he will offer crazy angles and massive power in either fist and I fancy him to end this by half way.
Daily Sport recommended bet:
5pts Proksa to win by Ko/TKO or DQ – 13/8 Betfred
Lee Haskins V Stuart Hall
Another potential classic in store when the unconventional Lee Haskins meets up against Stuey Hall for the vacant EBU Bantamweight title.
In short, if Stuey can absorb the power of Haskins he is in with a shot and if Jamie Mcdonnell couldn’t do it then I don’t think former flyweight Haskins can.
Take the 15/8 about Hall to edge this on work rate alone.
Daily Sport recommended bet:
3pts win Hall – 15/8 Betfred
Wladimir Klitsckho v Tony Thompson
Benjamin Franklin once said “But in the world nothing can be said to be certain except death and taxes”. Well that’s not strictly true because what is a certainty is death, taxes and the inevitable Wladimir Klitsckho victory. So how will he win ?. Well in the the same way he always does by starting slowly and then methodically breaking down his opponent before stopping him late on.
Daily sport recommended bets:
5pt Klitschko to win in rounds 7-12 – 5/4 generally available
2pt Klitschko to win inside rounds 9-12 – 5/2 generally available
Tyson Fury v Vinny Maddalone
Fury makes his latest appearance on Channel 5 against shot club fighter Vinny Maddalone. Maddalone is one of my favourite fighters as he comes to fight and always entertains. I expect him to turn up out of shape but willing to fight but there is no way on God’s green planet he makes round 7 and a Tyson win looks inevitable.
Daily Sport recommended bets:
10pts win Fury to win in rounds 1-6 – 5/4 Sky Bet
Nonito Donaire v Jeffrey Mabula
My favourite fighter makes his latest appearance against the lanky Mabula who is seriously out of his depth in this. Donaire is one of the world’s finest fighters and Mabula couldn’t even beat the woeful Ndlovu so get ready for a spectacular early Ko.
Daily Sport recommended bet:
5pts Donaire to win inside rounds 1-6 – 3/1 Ladbrokes