Upcoming Boxing Betting Opportunities
One of my favourite sports betting bets to have is on a boxing match. There is loads of hype with press conferences designed as promotional theatre then the match up itself complete with media razzmatazz and a tense build-up show. There is usually a strong undercard and you can usually bet on these matches aswell. This article gives you the scoop on where the value lies with some of the upcoming big title fights on offer at bwin.com. Some of these fights do not get the promotion the big fights do, but are still good to watch and fun to bet on.
The big fight this weekend sees Manny Pacquiao face Josh Clottey. This fight should have been Pacquiao versus Mayweather but unfortunately negotiations broke down and both fighters will need to win their respective fights before a clash can be arranged for later this year. Never mind, the anticipation will mean the super fight will be one of the biggest of all time when it eventually happens, and I think it will, even if one of them lost their upcoming fights.
Manny Pacquiao 7/50 Draw 25/1 Josh Clottey 9/2
WBO World Welterweight Title Fight Sunday March 14th
I do not think there is any chance of the draw. Pacquiao throws such devastating punches that I do not think Clottey can survive longer than around five rounds and this could be a blow-out if he catches Clottey early with a big punch, similar to what happened to Ricky Hatton. Clottey’s chances in this fight depend on his ability to adjust quickly to Manny’s speed and avoiding the big punches.
Bwin have Pacquiao to win on points at 6/5 which is generous to Clottey. I think a stoppage in round 2, 3 or 4 is a possibility with those odds being 20/1, 18/1 and 14/1 respectively. Perhaps I am not giving Clottey the respect he deserves but Pacquiao has made a mockery of De La Hoya, Cotto and Hatton who were both considered to be more rounded and able to contest Pacquiao’s power style than Clottey’s reputation affords him. This is definitely a fight not to be missed, with the prospect of the Mayweather superfight to follow if he is victorious. I think this will give him all the motivation he needs for this fight.
My personal prediction is Pacquiao to win by knock-out in less than five rounds, but I do hope this is a good fight and seeing it go the distance would be great. I do not think, however, there is much chance of an upset in this fight.
Wladimir Klitschko 11/100 Draw 33/1 Eddie Chambers 5/1
WBO/IBF/IBO World Heavyweight Title Fight Saturday March 20th
On March 20th the latest World Heavyweight title takes place. Wladimir Klitschko could move on to face David Haye if Haye, as widely expected, beats John Ruiz in his first World Heavyweight championship defence of the WBC version of the Heavyweight title. For this reason the boxing purist should support Wladimir in this fight with future bouts in mind. Chambers has only lost once in a ten year career and has 35 wins with 18 coming by way of knock out. Because he is not a power puncher you have to expect that Klitschko will be able to outbox Chambers during this fight. Chambers early victories were mostly against unknown American fighters and this is a step up in class for him.
The bets that stand out for me are Klitschko to win on points at 8/5 and the fight going to a point’s decision at 31/20. This should be a good boxing match that I think Wladimir will dominate. What makes this fight interesting to me is that if Chambers is as good as his record suggests then there is the outside chance of an upset.
Check out the other boxing bets available at bwin.com and look out for the Haye – Ruiz preview which will be published very soon.
By Malcolm Clarke
