So last week was a bit of a disaster. Thankfully, there are more matches to choose from this weekend that, with a bit of luck, will hopefully yield some success.
The Longshot
Despite three important cards taking place today, it’s hard to pinpoint a big-priced option. Ultimately, I believe I found some value in the fight between Pat McCormack and Dimitri Trenel.
McCormack has enjoyed a distinguished amateur career, earning him medals at every major tournament in the unpaid divisions, culminating in a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The Sunderland man had an impressive start to his professional career in March, when he stopped Justin Menzie in the opening round.
Given McCormack’s extensive amateur pedigree, he’ll likely progress quickly. Menzie held a 5-5-1 record before their game and was a former challenger for the South Zone title. Trenel represents another slight advance in the class, losing only one out of nine skirmishes; that McCormack’s dedicated to GB teammate, Cyrus Pattinson.
The Frenchman reached the third round against Pattinson, but could not handle the opponent’s throw-in.
McCormack effectively targets the mid area and seems to carry more power than Pattinson. I doubt that McCormack can get rid of Trenel in the first three minutes, if he feels like it. However, the two-time Olympic athlete and his coach, Ben Davison, both talked about the importance of McCormack getting the rounds under his belt. It makes sense that if the 27-year-old is to progress quickly, he will need to gain professional experience, but I don’t think Trenel will be able to last long against the prospect of talent.
I suspect that McCormack will lose his time in the opening round, before stopping Trenel on the second. McCormack to win the second round was priced 3/1.
Pair
Josh Kelly has his second bout at 154lbs tonight, when he takes on Lucas Brian Ariel Bastida. The Argentinian is a good operator and will have the advantage of considerable height and reach. However, there is a level where Kelly looks very impressive and I believe Bastida falls into that category. Things got a bit heated up at yesterday’s brainstorming session when both men had to part. The 2016 Olympic athlete will seek to make a statement here and I believe he may be forced to stop the match. If Kelly tied his opponent to a rope and let him go, the referee could be quick to step in – as has happened in the past. Kelly won by knockout 27/20 with Betfred.
In the European and Commonwealth cruiser belt match between Chris Billam-Smith and Isaac Chamberlain, Olympic silver medalist Ben Whittaker made his professional debut. Olympic athletes often face opponents they can knock down early in their first professional match, and this is no different. Whittaker takes on Greg O’Neil, who has been stopped four times in six losses; with two of those who came in the opening round. I believe that tonight O’Neil will suffer that fate for the third time. Whittaker to win the opening round cost 11/5.
Doubles have odds of more than 6/1.
Treble
On the same card as Whittaker’s debut, Hassan Azim faces Jacob Quinn. There’s a lot of hype surrounding Adam, Azim’s brother, but Hassan also seems like a good prospect. Quinn is a good pro and it will be interesting to see how Azim goes up against Southpaw. Quinn was previously stopped in the fourth round against Pierce O’Leary. The Irishman is a big puncher and I would be surprised if Azim could get rid of Quinn sooner. The pick here is for Azim to win round 4-6 at 11/8.
If you like all three of this week’s picks, the treble is priced above 16/1.
