BOXING analyst Nick Munday (@NM_Sport) shares his betting thoughts on Saturday night's big bouts.
Josh Taylor v Ryan Martin | Saturday 3rd November 2018, 22:00 | YouTube
The World Boxing Super Series rolls into Glasgow as one of Britain’s brightest talents Josh Taylor faces Ryan Martin in the quarter-final of the super-lightweight tournament.
Taylor's 13-fight record belies his experience. As an amateur he boxed all over the world, racking up over 130 international bouts. He represented Team GB at London 2012, but his breakout moment came two years later when he won gold at the Commonwealth Games.
After turning professional, Taylor teamed up with Shane McGuigan and stopped seven of his first eight opponents, picking up the Commonwealth title in the process. Over the past couple of years he has progressed at a rapid rate, recording scalps over domestic rival Ohara Davies and former world champions Miguel Vazquez and Viktor Postol.
The points triumph over Postol in June was mightily impressive considering the Ukrainian only had one defeat on his record before their meeting, coming against pound-for-pound king Terence Crawford. That night the 27-year-old proved he is ready for the world’s best.
Unbeaten American Martin (22-0, 12 KOs) travels to the UK in confident mood. Like his Scottish foe, Martin also comes in to the clash off the back of a good win when he outpointed Amir Khan-conqueror Breidis Prescott over eight rounds six months ago. While that can be classed as a solid ‘name’ on his record, his overall level of opposition doesn’t compare to Taylor’s.
The ‘Tartan Tornado’ relishes the big stage and the bookies expect him to put in another big performance in front of his home crowd (1/9) with 4/7 available on another stoppage. This will only be Martin’s third fight at super-lightweight after coming up from 135lbs.
‘Blue Chip’ (7/1) is a slick mover but it remains to be seen whether he can stand up to the power that has seen Taylor stop all but one of his victims. If you put his bout against late replacement Winston Campos (TKO3) to one side, the Scot’s last four wins read; UD, KO9, TKO7, TKO6.
Back that trend to continue and get behind a Taylor stoppage in the second half of the fight – Taylor to win in Rounds 7-12 is 7/4 with SkyBet.
Ryan Burnett v Nonito Donaire | Saturday 3rd November 2018, 21:00 | YouTube
Chief support, Ryan Burnett defends his WBA ‘super’ crown against former four-weight world champion Nonito Donaire in the last bantamweight quarter-final.
Burnett (19-0, 9 KOs) has made two defences of the world title he won in June 2017. Stretching back to his British title three years ago his last eight wins have come on the scorecards, and we could the same result at The Hydro on Saturday.
Voted Fighter of the Year in 2012, 35-year-old Donaire (38-5, 24 KOs) has enjoyed a remarkable career, winning world championships at flyweight, bantamweight, super-bantamweight and featherweight.
This will be the second trip to these shores in 2018 for the ‘Filipino Flash’ after he boxed Carl Frampton in Belfast back in April. He demonstrated that he still has power and caught Frampton with two thunderous left hands in the 11th round, before dropping a decision to ‘The Jackal’.
Donaire’s best days are behind him and he’s also moving down two weight divisions to 118lbs for the first time since 2011. There are rumours he’s had issues on the scales, so it could be worth keeping an eye out for any markets on Burnett to knock the challenger down, which he did during his first world title win over Lee Haskins.
Burnett (1/7) is a crafty boxer and must remain switched on for all 12 rounds. Veteran trainer Adam Booth will have a gameplan to stop Donaire (5/1) detonating that dangerous left hook.
A points win for the Northern Irishman is a bit skinny (4/6), so back Burnett to sweep a unanimous decision on all three judges’ scorecards once again at 6/5 with Ladbrokes.
Miguel Berchelt v Miguel Roman | Sunday 4th November 2018, 00:00 | BoxNation
Two Miguels meet in Texas at around 2am, with fans hoping this clash will be added to the long list of all-Mexican wars. Both men rarely take backwards step and this has all the makings of a Fight of the Year candidate.
Berchelt (34-1, 30 KOs) already has three defences of his WBC world super-featherweight title, after winning the belt in impressive fashion by beating Francisco Vargas to a pulp (TKO11). In the 26-year-old’s next defence, he showed he can box as well as bang by dominating Takashi Miura (UD), before stopping both Maxwell Awuku and Jonathan Victor Barros in three rounds.
Roman (60-12, 47 KOs) is six years Berchelt’s senior and has already fallen short in two world title fights against Barros (UD, 2011) and Antonio DeMarco (KO5, 2012). With odds of 6/1, the bookmakers don’t expect this to be third time lucky.
“Mickey has talked a lot, and we're going to brawl. Styles make fights. I am going to take the first round or two to feel him out. Then, I'll make the adjustments, and if I have to go all out, I will,” the champion said this week.
Stylistically this Mexican derby will be fought up close and Berchelt probably carries more power, plus holds a height and reach advantage. ‘The Scorpion’ may box cautiously in the opening stages, like he did against Miura, but sooner or later these two proud warriors will trade bombs with Berchelt coming out on top.
Miguel Berchelt can win in Rounds 7-12 at 2/1 (Coral).
Best Bets
Josh Taylor v Ryan Martin – Josh Taylor to win in Round 7-12 (7/4 SkyBet)
Ryan Burnett v Nonito Donaire – Ryan Burnett to win by unanimous decision (6/5 Ladbrokes)
Miguel Berchelt v Miguel Roman – Miguel Berchelt to win in Round 7-12 (2/1 Coral)
