Midlands Mayhem & Monte Carlo betting preview
BBN's resident betting expert Jordan Neild takes a look into the betting odds for Frank Warren's Midlands Mayhem extravaganza in Birmingham and Matchroom's Monte Carlo match-ups:
The two ‘biggest’ promoters in the UK clash this weekend with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing hosting a competitive looking card from Monte Carlo, live on Sky Sports, and Frank Warren’s Queensbury Promotions bringing a packed card full of title fights from Birmingham, live on BT Sport.
Therefore, there is a lot of boxing action for fans to get stuck into this weekend and a lot of value to be found:
Zolani Tete vs John Riel Casimero
WBO Bantamweight world title contest
Arguably the best fight of the weekend comes from the card in Birmingham, where Zolani Tete (28-3 21KO) and John Riel Casimero (28-4 19KO) clash for WBO Bantamweight world title. Both men have a couple of losses on their record, but this is no reflection on just how good both these operators are. Tete hasn’t lost since 2012 and burst onto the world scene in 2015, when he brutally knocked out Paul Butler in Liverpool.
Casimero has only lost in lower weight classes and he displayed just how good he is when he travelled to London in 2016 and wiped out Charlie Edwards in brutal fashion. Edwards went onto win a world title in 2018 and has labelled Casimero as the biggest puncher he has ever shared a ring with.
Tete is the 4/11 outright favourite with Casimero a general 2/1 shot. Both men are exceptional boxers and this could be a bit of a chess match with neither man giving much away. However, Tete is more established in the bantamweight division and holds a lot of physical advantages over fighters at this weight due to his physicality. At the prices, Zolani Tete to win on points @ 11/8 looks a solid bet.
Sam Bowen vs Anthony Cacace
British super-featherweight title contest
Another eye-catching clash on the card is between British super featherweight champion Sam Bowen (15-0 11KO) and Anthony Cacace (17-1 7KO).
Carl Greaves-trained Bowen has long been touted as one of the finest talents in the Queensbury stable and he has done very little wrong. A very accomplished boxer and a spiteful puncher, he has all the ingredients to be able to compete at a much higher level than this, in the future.
His opponent is talented in his own right but has seen his career be blighted by periods of inactivity. The only loss on his record came at the hands of Martin Joseph Ward who is a very good fighter. Now in his 30s, it feels like a very important night for Anthony Cacace on Saturday evening and as always, he will bring an entertaining, all action style.
This style could suit Sam Bowen who is a very clever technician and throws a lot of eye-catching shots. Bowen is the rightful favourite here but the fight should be very competitive while it lasts. However, Sam Bowen is a fighter who a lot of people are getting excited about and for good reason, he has a really good chance to enhance his reputation here and Sam Bowen to win by KO/TKO @ 6/4 is a good bet in this one.
Sam Maxwell vs Conor Parker
WBO European super lightweight title contest
Also, on the undercard, unbeaten former Team GB member Sam Maxwell (12-0 10KO) defends his WBO European super lightweight title against Conor Parker (12-0 1KO). Maxwell became a viral sensation earlier this year when he knocked out Sabri Sediri with just ten seconds left on the clock, in the final round. Maxwell was below par that night but he proved that he carries his power up until the final bell and that will have filled the Liverpool man with confidence coming into this one.
In the opposite corner, this is a dramatic step up for Conor Parker. Parker is unbeaten but his wins have all came against fighters with a losing record. Parker is a classy southpaw and a win here would completely transform his career.
On paper, this is a classic puncher vs boxer match up. However, all the evidence to this point is that Maxwell may well be a couple of levels above Parker and he definitely holds a substantial power advantage. Maxwell to win by KO/TKO on 11/4 looks to be the bet of the day.
Joe Cordina vs Enrico Tinoco
WBA Continental super-featherweight title contest
Over on the Monte Carlo card, Joe Cordina (10-0 7KO) steps down to the super featherweight division and takes on Enrico Tinoco (18-5-4 13KO) who is a lot more capable than his record suggest. Tinoco sprung a shock earlier this year when he travelled to the UK and forced highly touted prospect Jordan Gill to retire on his stool. Tinoco carries a fair bit of power and is a stern test for Cordina in his super featherweight debut.
Cordina has been near perfect so far as a professional. He is an exceptional talent and looks destined to compete at the very top of the sport. He was enjoying a lot of success up at lightweight and won the British Title earlier this year, so the move down a division is one that caught some people off guard.
All things considered, Cordina should have enough ability to navigate his way through this test. Odds of 4/6 for Cordina to win by decision looks a good bet but don’t be surprised if he has to come through some tough periods in Monte Carlo.
BET RECAP:
Tete to win by decision @ 11/8
Sam Bowen to win by KO/TKO @ 6/4
Sam Maxwell to win by KO/TKO @ 11/4
Joe Cordina to win by decision @ 4/6
Please gamble responsibly