Weekly Tips - 12th October 2008
Published October 8, 2008 by Martin Bean
A fantastic night of boxing lies ahead this weekend in two clashes of the highest quality – Light Heavyweight Unification with Chad Dawson against Antonio Tarver and come backing Vitali Klitschko, looking to regain the WBC Heavyweight Title after four years away from the ring against Samuel Peter. So, where should you put your money this weekend? Read on and find out!
Lets start with Dawson-Tarver, which is a tough bout to call. Dawson is the much younger man at 26 and brings an undefeated 26-0 (with 17 KO’s) record to the ring. He is smart boxer and right now, looks like he will be a leading light in the 12 stone 7lbs division for a number of years to come.
By contrast, Antonio Tarver is coming to the end of his career. 39 years old, he is 27-4 (19 KO’s), after a long and successful amateur career. He hit the heights by being the first man to knockout Roy Jones Jr. but wasn’t able to capitalise on that and put himself at the fore of pound for pound world boxing.
It’s a close call for me but the bookies don’t seem to think so – Dawson starts odds on favourite at a best priced 4/11 with Paddy Power. Tarver can be found at 7/2 with Betfred. It’s easy to see why the bookies favour Dawson – he is the more consistent boxer and has undoubted quality, whereas Tarver can frustrate and excite in equal measure.
Boxing Capital’s money will not be going on the favourite – despite all that is said above, we feel that Tarver, fresh off his dominant win over Britain’s Clinton Woods, will win a hard fought points decision before he starts shouting for a match against Joe Calzaghe.
We feel Tarver is sure to win on points but the best price for this is just 4/1 (Skybet). Seeing as he can be found at 7/2 for a straight win with Betfred you should definitely back a straight win – just in case Tarver can detonate a big left hand on Dawson.
BOXING CAPITAL TIP – Antonio Tarver to Win @ 7/2 (Betfred)
Klitschko versus Peter has some similarities to the Dawson-Tarver clash. Klitschko is the elder statesman (now 39) whilst Peter is the new champion. The similarities end there; despite four years out of the ring (Klitschko was last seen giving a sustained beating to Danny Williams in 2004) he starts favourite and can be found widely at odds of 4/7; Peter starts a 5/4 underdog.
Klitschko has suffered a lot of injuries during his career and we have to assume he is now 100% for this fight – surely he would not risking a return after 4 years if not in peak condition.
Assuming he is in top shape, it could be ominous for his opponent. Peter brings a 30-1 record to the ring but his only defeat was to Vitali’s brother Wladimir, who fights in a similar style. Vitali has always been considered the better of the two brothers so Peter could be in trouble.
Peter is likely to be dangerous early on, especially when you consider Vitali is likely to take a few rounds to get his timing and distance right, but I see Klitschko being too classy for Peter. Despite Klitschko’s phenomenal knockout record (34 KO’s in 35 victories) expect a 12 round fight, with Klitschko winning widely on points.
BOXING CAPITAL TIP – Vitali Klitschko to win on Points @ 2/1 (Skybet)
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