Boxing Betting / Editor / 19 July 2008 / 1

Saturday night's bout between Andy Lee and Willie Gibbs in Limerick on knockout win written all over it. The only question is: for whom? Mark Doyle tries to unravel the puzzle...

This is an intriguing match-up, pitting two heavy-handed fighters against one another. Even more interestingly, both men's ability to take a punch has recently been called into question. Local favourite Andy Lee goes into the fight on the back of his first-ever defeat: a shock seventh-round stoppage at the hands of Brian Vera in March.

It will be fascinating to see how he reacts to that setback but, encouragingly, he is making all the right noises about learning from the loss and it could turn out to be a positive for the Limerick man, as it will surely have prompted him to pay more attention to his defensive work. He will certainly need to be wary of Willie Gibbs.

Like Lee, he can bang, with 16 of his 20 wins coming inside the distance. As a result, if Gibbs is to be backed, it is via KO, at the rather appealing odds of [9.0]. He can be punted at [3.5] simply to prevail but there is no sense in that: if The Gladiator is to win, it will be by knockout.

Gibbs simply does not have the skills to out-manoeuvre a classy counter-puncher like Lee - and is even more unlikely to get a decision in the Irishman's hometown, So, if one fancies an upset, Gibbs via KO at any stage is the way to go.

However, Gibbs has lost his last two fights. The first was a devastating first-round TKO at the heavy hands of Edison Miranda, while the second was a points defeat to 39-year-old Raymond Joval.

Lee, therefore, looks primed to triumph in front of his home fans. Yes, Gibbs is a dangerous opponent but he has nothing more than a puncher's chance and, crucially, Lee is also capable of ending this bout with one shot. The Detroit-based fighter possesses incredible power. His left hand is a fearsome weapon but he also possesses a lethal right hook - which is often disguised as a lead jab to devastating effect. As a result, it's almost impossible not to foresee Lee taking Gibbs out. Indeed, Lee stopped his nine previous opponents before the Vera loss and should be backed to win via knockout at [1.7]. A small bet on Lee ending the fight in the third, fourth or fifth round, all available at around [11.0], also appeals.

The night's other big fight sees another highly-rated Irish fighter in Paul McCloskey taking on English light-welterweight champion Nigel Wright.

McCloskey is an immensely talented boxer. He is slick, accurate and very, very stylish. Like Lee, he is a southpaw but, unlike Lee, he does not possess huge punching power, as evidenced by his record of just seven KOs from his 16 successive victories in the paid ranks. Indeed, while the Dungiven man completely outclassed a clearly past-it Cesar Bazan earlier this year, he never once looked like forcing a stoppage.

And Bazan wasn't even up for it that night. Wright, on the other hand, most definitely will be, meaning McCloskey should be in for a far tougher evening.

Selections:

Back Lee to win via K.O at [1.7] against Gibbs.

Back McCloskey to beat Wright on points at [1.54].

Back the Lee/McCloskey Win double at [2.56].

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1. Paul P | 21 July 2008

   Thankin you my friend, was just gonna go with Lee via KO (how dramatic was that?!!!) but got on McCloskey after being put wide by your good self so a nice little double. Cheers!

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