Prizefighter 9 Betting: Odds and ratings for every pugilist

Boxing Betting / Richard Douglas / 03 December 2009 / Leave a Comment

Gavin Rees is the first former world champion to compete in Prizefighter

"There is a lot of love on the boxing messageboards for Barrie Jones. He was parachuted in after Barry Morrison dropped out and has been bigged-up as a tempting outsider."

Richard Douglas assesses each of the contestants in the latest instalment of Prizefighter

It has been rightly billed as the best ever Prizefighter line-up, Richard Douglas runs the rule over the light-welterweights on display at Olympia on Friday

Gavin Rees ([3.65])
The Welshman is the first former world champion to compete in Prizefighter. Understandably therefore he is the favourite. The 29-year-old pulled off an unlikely, but well-deserved points victory over Souleymane M'baye in July 2007 to win the WBA belt.
He was well beaten in his first defence against Andriy Kotelnik but even then his spirit impressed many on the night. It is the only defeat of his 29-fight career.
A stoppage rate below 50 per cent suggests he lacks power and question marks remain over whether he'll be able to get into a points-scoring groove in just nine minutes. Should get past a shop-worn Ted Bami in the first round. Widely tipped to meet Lynes in the Final.

Colin Lynes ([4.7])
Little Jessie Lynes may hold the key to this Prizefighter. She was born on Monday and is doing fine. If proud father Colin can focus on the job in hand then he may be able to give her the best christening present possible. Lynes is the most technically proficient fighter on show. As a fast starter, he could easily jab his way to the title.
The Hornchurch pugilist also has a fair dig, as his seventh-round stoppage of Young Muttley demonstrated two years ago. Lynes has lost his last three fights but two of those were split decisions for European titles away from home. In between he was stopped on his stool by the talented Paul McCloskey. Gregarious and popular, Lynes may have a lot of support in the crowd too.

David Barnes ([5.0])
If David Barnes had lived up to his potential he would not be involved in domestic level contests anymore. The stylish southpaw blazed an early trail in the division and was thrown into a British title bout after only 13 fights. It would be a lucky occasion for him. Barnes edged a highly controversial decision against Jimmy Vincent. He would defend it successfully but got away with another debatable decision when he drew against Ali Nuumbembe. His unbeaten record went in his next fight when he was stopped by Joshua Okine during a challenge for the Commonwealth strap. Barnes has revived his career in the last two years by regaining the British title by beating Bami and then successfully defending it against Barry Morrison. If he can get past Lynes he'll be in the mix.

Michael Grant ([7.4])
The length and breadth of Michael Grant's record will worry few of Friday's fighters. A record of one stoppage in 12 bouts suggests there is little power there either. However the Tottenham fighter is unbeaten, hungry and technically sound. A lightly-regarded opponent in the opening round also makes him backable but he may lack experience when the pressure is on.

Barrie Jones ([10.5])
There is a lot of love on the boxing messageboards for the Welshman. He was parachuted in after Barry Morrison dropped out and has been bigged-up as a tempting outsider. His record is mediocre but he has been matched hard. Since the start of 2008 he has lost three out of four but they were against Tony Doherty for the Welsh welterweight crowd, the highly-talented Kell Brook for the British belt and former world champion Souleymane M'baye in a close points decision. As a southpaw he may have a distinct advantage. Left-handers sometimes have to be worked out by orthodox fighters but there is no time to do that in this event. You can see him getting past Muttley. The big test will be against the winner of Lynes and Barnes in the semi-final.

Ted Bami ([12.0])
Ted Bami has Prizefighter experience but he could be battling weight and Father Time on Friday night. The Congolese boxer is a former European title-holder but dropped a unanimous decision to fellow competitor David Barnes in his only challenge for the British crown.
Reached the Final of Prizefighter at welterweight in 2008 only to lose to Michael Lomax. He was also over the limit at his first weigh-in attempt when challenging Matthew Hatton in an IBO welterweight eliminator. He was stopped in six rounds that night and seemed to be a spent force. The question is can he raise his game for one last hurrah?

Jason Cook ([14.0])
Jason Cook has a puncher's chance. The Welshman had admirable power down at lightweight half a dozen years ago and famously displayed it by stopping Sandro Casamonica in a European title fight when the Italian had dropped Cook and was going in to finish the bout. He had problems at the weight after that and retired in 2005 just 12 months after losing his IBO world title to Aldo Rios. He has only had one fight in four years. Michael Grant should be simply too young for him in the opening round.

Young Muttley ([18.5])
Any fighter capable of beating Michael Jennings is a worthy opponent at British level. The Mancunian has only been beaten by Young Muttley and the great Miguel Cotto. However the Wolverhampton fighter struggled to follow up that eye-catching victory. He was stopped by Kevin Anderson and Colin Lynes in double title fights. The latter bout occurred two years ago and since then Muttley, aka Lee Woodley, has limited himself to low level opponents and low key fights. A floating danger on the night but will be up against it in the opening rubber against Barrie Jones.