Every week, Graham Houston provides detailed betting analysis of the major games in Weekend corner. International Boxing Hall of Fame inductees have impressive strike rates and often find (little) value available.
The combination of meticulous matchmaking and risky adverse odds results in “good” prices that are still low compared to the markets available in other sports. So here are some more speculative alternatives:
Long-range shot
Hard to find a decent bet with long odds in boxing. Draws are rare in boxing, and are often valued as such. With the fluctuating judgment, you can never be sure of the outcome as the matches go to the scorecard, so a draw is a useful bet. This week, however, the draw is a playable option, rather than just a draw.
Ijaz Ahmed and Quaise Khademi fight for a third time, with the British super flyweight championship being vacated. They last faced each other last August, on the same strap. In that case, the result is a split draw, with only two points between them on the widest card. Their previous meeting took place in February 2021, spending 10 rounds with Ahmed winning a decisive majority.
Khademi is the more skilled fighter and one who likes to win, but that was also the case in their previous fights. We’ve seen how this plays out, Ahmed is tough and determined, Khademi delivers more eye-catching shots and the umpires struggle to split them. Short tie is 12/1 in many places, but still 16/1 with BetFred. That price tag seems wide, based on the results of the trio’s previous two games.
Pair
Olympic middleweight gold medalist Lauren Price will make her debut tonight against Valgerdur Gudtensdottir, over six rounds. Gudtensdottir previously rated himself well against Katerina Thanderz, in 2018, but that has dropped slightly. Tonight’s match was made with a weight of 145lbs. The advantages of scale and skill Price will enjoy will be substantial. I like the KO at 11/8.
Willy Hutchinson is back for the first time since losing to Lennox Clarke to compete for the British super middleweight title. The Scottish player takes on Karel Horejsek. The Czechs have only been stopped twice in 13 defeats, the most recent more than six years ago. Hutchinson will likely have some rust to shake off and Horejsek is as tough as they come. Hutchinson won the point which seems quite deserving of a 9/5 ratio.
If you like both bets, the duo is available at 5/1.
Treble
Viddal Riley vs Jones Volau over six rounds, in cruiser class. The former KSI coach can stop Volau any time he wants. Riley’s two stoppage-time wins so far have been in the opening half and Volau has failed to hear the bell at the end of the first half in two of his last three games. I won’t discourage anyone from backing Riley to win the first round 9/4.
If the aforementioned double is added, odds above 20/1 are available.
