Well, it does not get much better than last week. Both the double and treble landed, even though the longshot was way off the mark. Despite more fights to choose from, value prices are few and far between today. As always, we will not be deterred.
Here are this Saturday’s selections:
The Longshot
Former Team GB member Scott Forrest has his second professional fight on tonight’s BOXXER card against Toni Visic. Forrest had a good amateur career, having represented Scotland at the 2014 and 2018 Commonwealth Games. Visic has 20 wins, but all against modest opposition – he is not the type of journeyman to spring an upset. The bookmakers have priced the Scot to win by stoppage at 2/13, which looks rather short to me. The Croatian has been halted in 12 of his 32 defeats, but has taken some decent fighters the scheduled distance. In 2018, Visic went the full six rounds with Sam Hyde and never looked in danger of being stopped. Admittedly, Hyde appeared to be hampered by a knee injury in the bout. Despite Forrest winning his debut by second round TKO, it is still not clear just how hard he hits. Prospects’ power is often overrated, as such it may be worth taking a small, speculative punt on Forrest to win by decision at 5/1.
The Double
River Wilson-Bent and Tyler Denny meet in a rematch of their fight from November 2021, with the English middleweight title at stake. The first fight went to the judges’ score cards after seven completed rounds as a cut over Wilson-Bent’s eye was deemed too severe to continue. One judge apiece favoured each man, while John Latham could not split them, resulting in a draw. I expect their second encounter to be every bit as competitive, with the possibility that many rounds will be hard to score. However, this fight is taking place in Coventry, home city of Wilson-Bent. British scorecards come under scrutiny most weeks, as it becomes increasingly difficult for the away-corner fighters to get a fair shake.
As such, the pick here is Wilson-Bent to win by decision at 13/8.
Headlining the same bill, Sam Eggington takes on the unbeaten Przemyslaw Zysk, at super-welterweight. Eggington is usually in entertaining fights and this one is likely to be no different. The Midlands man loves nothing more than engaging in a war, and in Zysk, he could have an opponent happy to oblige him. The Pole is a solid pro, with a good jab. I suspect he will be durable enough to hear the final bell. Eggington to win by decision at 5/2 is the selection.
As a double, the bet is available at over 8/1.
The Treble
Undefeated prospect Nikita Ababiy faces on Noe Larios Jr. on the undercard of the world title fight between Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez and Srisaket Sor Rungvisai. Larios was last in action against Caoimhin Agyarko, last December. Larios was eventually halted in the penultimate frame of the scheduled 10- rounder. On that night, Agyarko went in search of the knockout with every punch thrown. Had the Irishman created openings by utilising his jab, the stoppage could have come earlier. Ababiy, can be similarly gung-ho, but ‘White Chocolate’ does not neglect his lead hand. Despite only having eight rounds to do so, I believe Ababiy can get the stoppage at odds of 5/4.
For those who like all three picks, the treble is available at just under 20/1 with Betfred.