* 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.
It’s “Geordie War” this weekend when the boxing goes to Newcastle. The show features a heavyweight bout with a storyline when Hughie Fury faces Christian Hammer, Chris Eubank Jr keeping his fists warm, as well as local attractions rip-roaring Lewis Ritson and world champion Savannah Marshall.
NEW TO PADDY POWER?
10PM: HUGHIE FURY V CHRISTIAN HAMMER – FURY TO WIN IN ROUND 10-12
“Fury versus Hammer” has the ring of a marvel movie title but we should probably expect something a little bit more sedate than the action of a blockbuster film. The big Brit is still rebuilding after losing to Alexander Povetkin in 2019 and Hammer is a capable but unspectacular veteran.
The German is best known for his losses: in the last four years he’s been beaten on points by Povetkin, Luis Ortiz and Tony Yoka, and back in 2015 Tyson Fury managed to force Hammer to quit in the eighth round after taking a pasting. Christian has had some success in the UK though – in 2017 he recovered from a knockdown to nail David Price in round 7.
Hughie, 27, has suffered a similar number of defeats in recent years but he’s still getting stronger and improving. In his last five wins four have come by KO, and in the other victory Fury had to deal with a massive gash by his eye as well as a rock solid opponent.
Hammer is a hard man and there’s a good chance that Hughie walks away with the win on the judges cards – but there’s no value in that bet, so I’m backing Fury to take the chance to replicate his more famous cousin and get the late stoppage win.
9PM: SAVANNAH MARSHALL V LOLITA MUZEYA – MARSHALL TO WIN IN ROUND 7-8
Marshall is world champion, a local lass and the class of the show, but her opponent is an unknown, untested Zambian. We can’t dismiss Muzeya as light work as she is unbeaten and seems to have decent size and power, and she even had the gumption to call out Marshall on her YouTube channel – the visiting middleweight is coming to win and shouldn’t be overlooked.
I’m sure that Hartlepool’s “Silent Assassin” will have too much for Muzeya and I expect that Marshall will add to her collection of KO wins with another mid-to-late rounds victory.
8PM: CHRIS EUBANK JR V WANIK AWDIJAN – EUBANK JR TO WIN IN ROUND 3-4
Two weeks ago Eubank’s opponents had a mare – the first pulled out with Covid and the replacement didn’t pass the medical. Junior’s German promoters seem adamant about getting him to face one of their countrymen, so this Saturday they are putting forward Awdijan – the man rated as the ninth best middleweight in Germany.
The away fighter has a solid-sounding record of 28-and-1, but his résumé is padded better than a double down duvet and in his one defeat he was put to sleep by a regional-level Frenchman.
Eubank is a huge favourite to win by KO but I think there is a scrap of value in this bout – Chris Jr is still working on things with his new-ish trainer Roy Jones Jr, and the Eubanks are known to enjoy striking a pose before striking an opponent – I fancy this one will be over in the third or fourth session.
7PM: LEWIS RITSON V HENRY LUNDY – LUNDY TO WIN ON POINTS
The most intriguing bout on the bill is the super lightweight tussle between Ritson and Lundy. Lewis is a big draw in the North East for his down to earth demeanour and his all action style, but his boxing skills have let him down in a couple of recent contests – and he’s got his hands full with the veteran American this weekend.
“Hammerin’ Hank” has been on the scene for more than 15 years but he’s still good enough to give the world class Jose Zepeda a decent test back in May. Lundy’s lost three of his last five and he hasn’t won by KO in four years, but he’s tricky and tough, and he’ll win rounds a the Newcastle Arena.
Ritson’s trouble has been that he’s too one-dimensional in attack and too static in defence, and there’s little chance that he’s improved since his last, painful outing in June – “Sandman” was stopped late in that bout and every opponent that has gone past three rounds has given him trouble.
This contest is scheduled for only eight rounds and that will make it frantic and scrappy. I am tempted to dabble on the draw but the odds on Lundy via decision are too good to ignore.
Saturday’s boxing tips:
10pm: Hughie Fury v Christian Hammer – Fury to Win in Round 10-12
9pm: Savannah Marshall v Lolita Muzeya – Marshall to Win in Round 7-8
8pm: Chris Eubank Jr v Wanik Awdijan – Eubank Jr to Win in Round 3-4
7pm: Lewis Ritson v Henry Lundy – Lundy 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.
READ MORE
- Hearn: ‘Fury-Joshua fight will happen on Twitter instead’
- David Haye offers trash talking tips to Conor McGregor
- Logan Paul: ‘I want to hug McGregor for 8 rounds next’
The Paddy Power Guide To Responsible Gambling – Everything You Need To Know
