BBN provide the best boxing bets for this weekend
Our regular columnist Jordan Neild provides his expert betting tips for this weekend's boxing:
Welcome to the first installment of our new betting preview section. Going forward, this will become a regular feature on fight week, and the aim is to provide you with some betting insight, but more importantly, some added entertainment whilst watching the boxing.
Tonight's Box Office card at the O2 Arena is certainly Matchroom's strongest of the year so far. An intriguing fight at the top of the bill and a lot of really competitive bouts on the undercard. From a betting perspective, a competitive card usually means there is some value to be found and the headline fight, especially, is one that could provide some value.
Dillian Whyte vs Oscar Rivas
Dillian Whyte is arguably one of the most improved boxers in the country since his defeat to Anthony Joshua at the back end of 2015.
Since teaming up with top trainer Mark Tibbs, he has made a lot of adjustments that have turned him into a very rounded, dangerous fighter. Armed with a vicious left hook, his boxing IQ is sometimes overlooked and that is something that I think he may need to call upon tonight. His opponent, Oscar Rivas is a very well schooled fighter with an extensive amateur background, which included wins over Andy Ruiz and Kubrat Pulev.
As professionals, Dillian Whyte is further along in his development than Rivas and I think that momentum could play a big part tonight. The Colombian will fancy himself to outbox the Londoner but he is the smaller man of the two and is giving away several physical advantages.
Interestingly, Whyte came in almost a stone heavier than what he weighed in his last fight and although people may view this as a negative, it could quite well be a tactic for Whyte to use his clear physical advantages over Rivas to domiante and bully the visitor.
All things considered, I believe this fight may well be one that goes the distance with Rivas looking to use his boxing ability, I can see Dillian Whyte forcing the action and keeping Rivas under pressure for 12 rounds, my bet for the fight will be:
Dillian Whyte to win on points @ 11/10
Derek Chisora vs Artur Szpilka
The undercard really is fascinating. With 50/50 fights right from the beginning of the show it is defintely one that provides betting value for punters. The fight that really catches my eye is Derek Chisora taking on Artur Szpilka.
Chisora has had a long and tough career and in recent times has been inconsistent to put it lightly. For every great performance like the ones against Whyte and Takam, he has also looked a shadow of his former self against Kabayel and Gashi, most recently.
Szpilka has also been inconsistent and has his own vulnerabilities but his losses have come at level far higher than the level Derek Chisora is currently performing at. One big advantage for Szpilka, is that he fights out of the southpaw stance, a stance that Chisora has very little experience against as a professional.
I genuinely see this fight as a 50/50 matchup but with Chisora currently priced up as a 1/3 favourite, I am happy to take the 9/4 on Artur Szpilka to get the job done. A lot of variables in this, but definite value and one where I think the bookies may have overpriced Artur Szpilka.
Artur Szpilka to win @ 9/4.
Good luck if you follow the selections and remember, this is purely for entertainment and please gamble responsibly at all times.
