Boxing Tips: Our 12/1 Conor Benn v Samuel Vargas punt & the best of rest this weekend

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

While the gyms and the barbers are closed to the average hairy sofa-dweller in London until Monday, I have no doubt Conor Benn and Samuel Vargas have chiselled down their bodies and coiffed their hair perfectly for a ding dong battle at the Copper Box Arena on Saturday. As always, we’ve got the best bets on all the weekend’s action to really ruffle up Paddy.

Saturday 10pm: Conor Benn v Samuel Vargas

This Benn-Vargas bout is your classic crossroads contest: Benn is looking to take out an ageing contender and move up the rankings, while Vargas needs a win to keep him in the mix at the top of the welterweight division.

There’s no doubt that Benn wouldn’t be headlining a show on Sky at this point of his career if it wasn’t for his famous father, but Junior has displayed vast improvements in his last three fights. ‘The Destroyer’ showed he’s added speed and accuracy to his aggression, and he flexed his boxing brain when he beat up classy former European champ Sebastian Formella.

Vargas, on the other hand, looks like he’s on the slide – the Canada-based Colombian has only won two of his last six contests and he was stopped in seven rounds last year by top American prospect Vergil Ortiz.

Looking at Conor’s record, the Essex chap is at max power in the early rounds – Benn has knocked out 11 of his 17 opponents, and they have all come before the end of the fourth.

If Vargas is on the slide then Paddy’s Power Price on Benn to win in rounds 1-4 is a real gift.

Vargas has lost six times but only suffered three stoppage losses – to Ortiz, Danny Garcia and Errol Spence. Garcia and Spence are elite champions, and Ortiz is considered to be on that path, but Amir Khan couldn’t finish the Colombian and it would be a huge statement if Benn could get the KO win.

Despite his résumé, Vargas is only 31, but he does have the veteran moves to match his experience – he can make things rough when he wants to and he can usually survive when he needs to.

Sam will rumble forward and put pressure on Benn, and although his KO ratio is only about 35% he carries power. Vargas dropped Khan in the second round of their bout despite being knocked over himself earlier, and he really rattled Amir in the late rounds.

Benn, 24, was dropped twice by French journeyman Cedrick Peynaud back in 2017 and it looks like he’s been kept away from punchers since then – Conor has never faced a boxer with a KO ratio above 50%.

Vargas wouldn’t necessarily beat Benn’s last opponent, Formella, but he’s going to ask different, more difficult questions. I think this one descends into a tear-up before long and Benn has to be favourite to come out on top.

But I can’t ignore the massive odds on an away win. The value is in Vargas by KO.

Saturday 9pm: Ukashir Farooq v Alexander Espinoza

Leading the undercard action at the Olympic Park on Saturday is Ukashir Farooq’s fight with Alexander Espinoza. Scotland’s Farooq is an exciting bantam making his way to the upper echelons of the division, and I’ll be backing Farooq to ease past his opponent on points.

Saturday 8pm: Shannon Courtenay v Ebanie Bridges

Shannon Courtenay and Ebanie Bridges have had a total of 12 professional bouts between them but Eddie Hearn has worked his magic and taken advantage of the shallow women’s bantamweight division to get a title on the line. My money is on Watford’s Courtenay winning a decision.

Across the pond

Sunday 3am: Joe Smith v Maxim Vlasov

Stateside the biggest fight this weekend is Joe Smith versus Maxim Vlasov for a vacant world title in the light heavyweight division. I can see why Paddy likes the strong, rugged Smith but I think it’s too close to call with the big, awkward Russian – so I’m taking the generous odds on Vlasov to win.

Sunday 2am: Jaron Ennis v Sergey Lipinets

If you haven’t heard of Jaron Ennis yet then let me introduce you to the best fighter you don’t know. The American welterweight is quick, big, balanced and well-schooled, and he can stop former champ Sergey Lipinets in rounds 5-8.

Sunday 1am: Jerwin Ancajas v Jonathan Javier Rodriguez

And finally, Jerwin Ancajas defends his super flyweight strap against Jonathan Javier Rodriguez. Some of the best fighters pound-for-pound are in the 115lb division and the Filipino titleholder is ready to join them – check out Ancajas to win on points.

Tips for Saturday’s big boxing bouts

UK
Saturday 10pm: Conor Benn v Samuel Vargas – Vargas to win by KO
Saturday 9pm: Ukashir Farooq v Alexander Espinoza – Farooq to win on points
Saturday 8pm: Shannon Courtenay v Ebanie Bridges – Courtenay to win by decision

International
Sunday 3am: Joe Smith versus Maxim Vlasov – Vlasov to win
Sunday 2am: Jaron Ennis v Sergey Lipinets – Lipinets in rounds 5-8
Sunday 1am: Jerwin Ancajas v Jonathan Javier Rodriguez – Ancajas to win on points

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

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