* 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.
This weekend the boxing is coming out swinging with a stunning ‘1-2’ from London’s Copper Box Arena featuring the rematch of Britain’s best light-heavies Lyndon Arthur and Anthony Yarde, and rising star Hamzah Sheeraz versus Bradley Skeete, who may be a fading light .
Then it’s right across to the US for lightweight champ Devin Haney’s scrap with former 130-pound boss Joseph Diaz, and the fights finish with a flurry on Sunday night when pound-for-pound puncher Gervonta Davis defends his strap against Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz.
NEW TO PADDY POWER?
SATURDAY 10PM: LYNDON ARTHUR V ANTHONY YARDE
The light heavyweight division in the UK is an array of top talent but the boxers aren’t getting in the ring with each other – except for Arthur and Yarde. These two let leather fly back in December last year when ‘King’ Arthur won a split decision with a ram-rod jab and little else.
Lyndon was the underdog last time and Paddy has installed him as the betting outsider again, but there are substantial rumours that the Manchester man had an injured right hand in the first fight and you would have to think he’d be better with two decent fists.
Last year Yarde spent too long waiting on the outside and he’s promised to pour on the pressure earlier this time – in the closing stages of that contest 12 months ago the East Londoner wobbled Arthur enough to give him confidence that he can take him out.
My feeling is that this fight isn’t going the distance: Yarde has 20 wins by KO in 23 fights and his pride was hurt by letting the judges decide the contest last time, and Arthur will deploy the big right hand this time and there are still question marks about Anthony’s gas tank.
That opens up a range of great bets – there is lots of value in a Yarde victory in rounds 1-3 and I wouldn’t even be surprised by a late Arthur KO. I think the most likely outcome is that Yarde staggers Arthur early but I think he’ll finish the job in the middle rounds.
SATURDAY 9PM: HAMZAH SHEERAZ V BRADLEY SKEETE
The main support act to the headliner at the Copper Box is an exciting and intriguing bout in the super welterweight class – Slough’s Sheeraz is young, skilful and powerful, and has looked the mustard against his lesser-known opponent, while London’s Skeete is a former British champion and slick technician.
I think Brad will cause real problems for the big betting favourite from Berkshire, and he’ll be right in the fight… until he isn’t. Skeete showed that he was soft around the whiskers against bangers at 147lbs, but Hamzah is a big 154-pounder and he’s knocked out his last seven opponents – my money is on Sheeraz starching Skeete in the fifth or sixth session.
SUNDAY 4AM: DEVIN HANEY V JOSEPH DIAZ
Last weekend’s fight between Teofimo Lopez and George Kambosos sent shockwaves through the lightweight scene – Teo was the unified champion and wasn’t supposed to lose, well, ever. But that huge upset might not be the only one in the 135-pound division in the lead up to Christmas.
There is no doubt that Devin ‘The Dream’ is a super talented fighter, and winning 26 fights and picking up a vacant belt is a great effort for a 23-year-old, but in his last fight against veteran champ Jorge Linares he showed that he could be hurt and he could tire.
‘Jo Jo’ Diaz is a 2012 Olympian and he has competed with the best at featherweight, super feather and lightweight, winning a title at 130-pounds. The tough, stocky Mexican-American always struggled with weight in his career but he looks on-point in training and settled in the lightweight division.
Diaz is all-action but he has only stopped one of last eight opponents, but then Haney hasn’t won by KO for three fights either. Devin has the skills but I’m not sure he’ll enjoy the intensity and rough-house tactics in Vegas this Saturday, and I can see Diaz doing enough to nick this on the cards.
MONDAY 4AM: GERVONTA DAVIS V ISAAC CRUZ
Both these men have been called ‘mini-Mike Tyson’, which should give you a feel for this fight! Multiple-weight world champ Davis also seemed to have similarities with ‘Iron’ Mike outside of the ring, but fortunately he looks like he’s in the right space to make the most of his talent and power now.
Cruz has been steadily working through solid opposition in the lightweight class since moving to the States in 2019. The Mexican is dedicated and ferocious but he doesn’t have the one-punch knockout power, and he’s only stopped one of his last five foes.
I think this fight will be really fun while it lasts. Gervonta could catch ‘Pitbull’ Cruz in the first few minutes but I think it’s more likely that he walks the game challenger on to a night-ender just after the midway point.
Boxing tips this weekend
SATURDAY 10PM: Anthony Yarde to beat Lyndon Arthur in Round 5-8
SATURDAY 9PM: Hamzah Sheeraz to beat Bradley Skeete in Round 5 – 6
SUNDAY 4AM: Joseph Diaz to beat Devin Haney via Points or Decision
MONDAY 4AM: Gervonta Davis to beat Isaac Cruz in Round 7 – 9
* 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’