Boxing Betting / Alex Steedman / 13 September 2010 /

A host of top British boxing names grace the ring on Saturday night's Sky televised special at Birmingham's LG Arena. Alex Steedman roots through the bouts to find the best bets

Elton John once crooned that Saturday night is alright for fighting and having revitalised their fight night coverage by switching to the weekend's big night, Sky TV seem to agree. Britain's newest World Champion Ricky Burns kicked things off in style last week but this Saturday's Box Office extravaganza is something else.

Despite late withdrawals it remains a bill of quality and intrigue, one bursting with would-be World Champions. Star amateurs Frankie Gavin and James DeGale are in action while the British Welterweight clash between Kell Brook ([1.2]) and Michael Jennings ([4.3]) is an eliminator for the WBO belt. Champion Brook has always looked destined for the top and having despatched capable domestic operators in defending the title stylishly on three occasions, this is a litmus test as to quite how good he might be.

Opponent Jennings may have been exposed by Miguel Cotto last year in a tilt at World honours but he is classy at domestic level and has the tools to make Brook work for his win. Chorley's Jennings has lovely footwork and skills but he faces a cute, powerful puncher in Brook. The Sheffield man may speak with the soft lisp of a male hairdresser but he is ruthlessly economic inside the ropes. The fast counter right he arched over Kevin McIntyre's southpaw jab on his way to winning the title was class and if he can hurt Jennings before half way, he might just produce a statement stoppage ([1.72]).

Former World Champion Enzo Maccarinelli ([1.54]) is something of a conundrum for punters because we don't really know where he is at right now. The likeable Welsh hitter lost two of three fights after David Haye hammered him in 2008 but his renaissance this year has been remarkable. Macca proved his hellish punch power is still there when chopping down the giant Russian Alexander Kotlobay to win the European Cruiser title in April and it seems that he is back close to where he was, at least mentally. Exposing Kotlobay however, may not amount to a hill of beans.

What to expect though of unbeaten Alexander Frenkel ([2.36])? He is tall and upright, as you might expect of an eastern European fighter, and he fights with his gloves high, if a little wide. Given that Macca throws a vicious left hook to the body, he might have something to aim at. From the DVDs I've seen, Frankel looks tough, capable and lairy with the uppercuts when he gets in close but he looks very beatable. Still, the longer it goes, the better his chance. I'm a little surprised the market discounts Maccarinelli winning on points as that might be overpriced ([6.0]) but tread carefully with this one.

Nathan Cleverly ([1.33]) once shared the same Newbridge gym as Maccarinelli but Joe Calzaghe's former sparring partner has long since stepped out of those shadows. Having won British, Commonwealth and European belts at Light Heavyweight, the Welsh starlet will book himself a World Title fight should he overcome Karo Murat ([3.25]).

Cleverly has - quite literally - been on a steep learning curve, juggling university degree studies with a burgeoning career in the sweet science. During that time he's managed to topple gnarled veteran Tony Oakey in just his 13th fight and each of his last six opponents have failed to hear the final bell (KO [2.36]). A natural athlete, 'Clev' has freakish potential now that he is a full time pro.

Like Cleverly, Murat is unbeaten and he is sturdy if unspectacular. Murat punches respectfully but he has been the distance four times in his last six fights since moving up to the weight and it may be he doesn't carry the necessary threat to deter the Champion. Indeed, with his extraordinary reach and skills, Cleverly has the tools to make this relatively easy. Cleverly on points at [2.62] looks a fair bet.

Fight of the night could be the British & Commonwealth Heavyweight clash between Dereck Chisora ([1.33]) and Sam Sexton ([3.25]). These two met over six rounds back in 2006 when Chisora forced the ref to save a tiring Sexton in the last round but they have both improved since. Sexton is a much stronger fighter now, both mentally as well as physically, coming through two ruff-and-tumble fights with Martin Rogan unbeaten. That experience will lend itself to the way this fight unfolds and it could go the distance ([3.0]).

There is no doubt that Chisora has the better variety as well as the advantage in speed but he does lose concentration in fights and I'm not convinced he's a massive puncher. That Sam Sexton invites pressure allows the possibility of a premature stoppage but I think the value call here is to back Chisora on points at [5.0].

Recommended Bets:
Back Nathan Cleverly to win on points 3pts (0-10) @ [2.62]
Back Derek Chisora to win on points 1PT @ [5.0]

Join Betfair today and we'll give you a £25 Free Bet to start you off with. Click here to sign-up and you can be enjoying The Magnificent 7 with a free bet this Saturday evening.

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