BOXING analyst Nick Munday (@NM_Sport) shares his betting thoughts on Saturday night's battle between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder.
Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury | Sunday 10th October 2021, 05:00 | BT Sport Box Office
Saturday night's huge trilogy in the fight capital of the world is finally here. After Tyson Fury (30-0-1, 21 KOs) bulldozed Deontay Wilder (42-1-1, 41 KOs) in the same city in February 2020, they meet for a third time in the early hours of Sunday morning.
At Friday’s weigh-in, Wilder (9/4) came in at a career-heaviest 238lbs, but we haven’t seen him perform with that extra weight before. That could potentially impact the explosiveness and speed he relies on to detonate that right hand. Wilder sacked his coach after the second fight, and he’s now trained by Malik Scott – a man he knocked out when they fought in 2014.
Fury’s preparations haven’t been ideal, but he holds the physical and psychological advantage. The ‘Gypsy King’ has everything to lose in this fight, so he isn’t lacking motivation. Now he knows he can both outbox and stop Wilder, expect him to go for another stoppage (20/21).
After a cagey start, Fury will start applying educated pressure and look to bully the American in the middle rounds, setting up the finish between round 5-8 (7/2 – SkyBet).
In their second fight Fury was, somewhat harshly, deducted a point for hitting Wilder after Kenny Bayless called for the two to break. That took the Brit's total to five points deducted in 31 outings. Tonight's referee Russell Mora is known for taking points without warnings, so Fury to have a point deducted at 9/1 is worth a play as a side interest.
Frank Sanchez vs Efe Ajagba | Sunday 10th October 2021, 04:00 | BT Sport Box Office
Two unbeaten heavyweight power-punchers feature in the chief support bout. Frank Sanchez (18-0, 13 KOs) comes in as the 4/7 favourite, with Efe Ajagba (15-0, 12 KOs) at 17/10. Between them they have 25 knockouts in 33 fights, so I’ll keep this short and sweet.
We’ve seen Ajagba wobbled and touch the canvas before against journeyman Iago Kiladze in 2019, so a Sanchez stoppage appeals at 2/1. With the amount of power these two hold, the main pick here is for the fight not go the distance (17/20 – BetVictor).
Brad Foster vs Jason Cunningham | Saturday 9th October 2021, 22:00 | BT Sport
Headlining the Queensberry card in Birmingham is a cracking super-bantamweight clash for the British, European and Commonwealth titles.
As a former kickboxing world champion, Brad Foster (14-0-2, 5 KOs) has zero amateur boxing experience and has had to learn on the job. Winning the British and Commonwealth belts in just 16 fights is mightily impressive, but southpaw Jason Cunningham (29-6, 6 KOs) looks set to be his toughest test yet.
Both men aren’t known for their power, and they’ve mentioned that this could go long, hence why just 2/5 is on offer for them to hear the final bell. With his impressive work rate and hometown support cheering him on, Foster should win a competitive fight on the scorecards here (5/4).
He does have a couple of draws on his record, so considering Cunningham is in confident mood after upsetting Gamal Yafai earlier this year the draw could be worth a small punt (16/1).
Liam Smith vs Anthony Fowler | Saturday 9th October 2021, 22:00 | DAZN
Unfortunately UK fight fans have a clash tonight, with second screens sure to be in use at around 10pm. Matchroom promote a local derby in Liverpool, as Liam Smith (29-3-1, 16 KOs) meets Anthony Fowler (15-1, 12 KOs).
Smith (8/13) is a former world champion and has shared the ring with quality opposition over the years. There’s no shame in losing to Canelo Alvarez and Jaime Munguia as the away fighter. Fowler (6/4) was a quality amateur but may come unstuck against the more experienced man.
After Smith was robbed on the cards against Magomed Kurbanov in Russia five months ago, I expect him to have the bit between his teeth. Unless ‘Beefy’ has grown old overnight, he should have enough to outwork Fowler on the cards at a chunky 11/4. Baring in mind this will be Fowler’s first 12-round contest, a Smith stoppage between round 9-12 is also tempting (5/1 – SkyBet).
Best Bets
Brad Foster vs Jason Cunningham – Brad Foster on points (5/4 Bet365)
Liam Smith vs Anthony Fowler – Liam Smith on points (11/4 Betfred)
Frank Sanchez vs Efe Ajagba – Fight not to go the distance (17/20 BetVictor)
Frank Sanchez vs Efe Ajagba – Frank Sanchez KO/TKO (2/1 Betfair)
Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury – Tyson Fury by KO/TKO (20/21 888)
Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury – Tyson Fury Round 5-8 (7-2 SkyBet).
Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury – Tyson Fury to have a point deducted (9/1 Paddy Power, SkyBet)
