Joyce vs Chisora undercard betting preview
Joe Joyce and Derek Chisora are promising fireworks when they collide at the O2 Arena in a make or break heavyweight clash on Saturday night but boxing fans should tune in early for a long, exciting and well matched undercard. For the latest fight odds, visit our sportsbook.
There are a series of meaningful fights featuring the likes of America’s exciting Brandon Lee, Raven Chapman, Royston Barney-Smith and Sean Noakes and that is before we get to a series of exciting title fights.
DENNIS McCANN, 15-0-1 (8 KOs), V IONUT BALUTA, 16-4-1 (3 KOs)
EUROPEAN SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT TITLE
McCann and Baluta boxed to a brilliant technical draw last August. The first fight was a thrilling rollercoaster with the former sparring partners going toe-to-toe from the opening bell.
The fight was razor tight but the ultra aggressive Baluta may have been the more disappointed of the two when a terrible cut on McCann’s forehead caused the fight to be stopped after the ninth round. With McCann battling to see through the blood pouring down his face, the Romanian continued to press forward and looked to be in the ascendency. A Baluta decision victory is priced at 10/3.
McCann made some changes after that fight. He left his long time trainer, Al Smith, and moved to Liverpool where he trains with Joe McNally. He has boxed once since and put in a disciplined, impressive performance to beat the previous undefeated star amateur, Brad Strand, to win the British and Commonwealth titles. McCann is the favourite, available at 7/20.
Baluta hasn’t boxed since but will be his usual, all action self.
This will be a test of how much McCann has improved and matured. He has the southpaw skills to outbox Baluta as long as he keeps his composure and sticks to his gameplan. Baluta will attempt to once again drag McCann into a brawl from the opening bell and empty his gas tank.
The pick is for McCann to box smartly and win a decision at 13/20.
MOSES ITAUMA, 9-0 (7 KOs) V MARIUSZ WACH, 38-10 (20 KOs)
HEAVYWEIGHT
On paper, Moses Itauma has a long night’s work ahead of him on Saturday night. The 19-year-old heavyweight takes on the tough Polish veteran and most people assume that Itauma will get some much needed rounds under his belt.
Wach is renowned for his rock solid chin and his ability to absorb punishment. A whole series of quality fighters have been forced to go the distance with Wach but Itauma is on a tear. His last five fights have lasted a total of six rounds and he has only completed 20 rounds since turning professional 18 months ago. In comparison, Wach has been fighting for 19 years and has boxed 312 rounds. Wach is 16/1 to cause a massive shock.
After reading those statistics, you may think that the most obvious bet is for Itauma to win a decision which is available at 18/5.
Itauma is a different type of prospect, however. The supremely talented southpaw has fast hands and an aggressive, confident streak and he will be intent on stopping Wach – who is now 44 years old – and making his mark on the heavyweight division. Wach has been stopped by Alexander Povetkin, Jarrell Miller, Martin Bakole and Arslanbek Manhmudov.
Itauma may not get it done quickly but the choice is for the teenage phenom to stop Wach between rounds five and six, priced at 16/5.
RYAN GARNER, 15-0 (8 KOs) V ARCHIE SHARP, 25-0 (9 KOs)
SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT
The fight between the unbeaten super featherweights may just steal the show.
Garner has finally begun to fulfil the potential which was immediately obvious when he turned professional as an 18-year-old all the way back in 2016. He’s had his ups and downs but has grown up outside the ring and has really begun to take the sport seriously. Garner is an exciting fighter who can box and – as he demonstrated in his last fight with Liam Dillon – dig deep and fight. ‘The Piranha’ is still only 26 years old and still has plenty of believers who think he can reach world class.
A fight with the talented Sharp is the ideal next step.
Despite being unbeaten, Sharp finds himself on the comeback trail. The 29-year-old scored his career best victory when he knocked out Declan Geraghty five years ago and tried to capitalise on a high world ranking by picking his way through the division. His plan worked and in November 2021 he was installed as the WBO’s number one challenger. Still, he found it impossible to tempt one of the division’s biggest names into the ring and although he has continued to tick over whilst he waited, he drifted away away from public consciousness.
Sharp has taken it upon himself to reestablish his name. He reappeared on TNT Sports in May and was given the shock of his life by unknown Argentinean, Reuquen Arce. Sharp had to pick himself up off the floor twice in the opening round before winning a decision. He will need to be on much better form if he is to beat Garner. Sharp is priced at 8/5.
This is a very difficult fight to pick and although the odds seem slightly too short, the pick is for Garner to win. The selection is priced at 1/2. A Garner stoppage is available at 17/10.
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