10pm: Katie Taylor vs Karen Elizabeth Carbajal – Taylor to win points or decision
9pm: Jordan Gill vs Kiko Martinez – Martinez to win round 5-8
4am: Vasyl Lomachenko vs Jamaine Ortiz – Lomachenko to win round 5-8
5am: Jake Paul vs Anderson Silva – Silva points or decision
Boxing has got something for everyone this weekend: pound-for-pound star Katie Taylor defends her titles against unbeaten opponent Karen Elizabeth Carbajal, Jordan Gill steps up to European level to face veteran Kiko Martinez, the legendary Vasyl Lomachenko returns against prospect Jamaine Ortiz, and puglism’s playboy Jake Paul faces 47-year-old MMA superstar Anderson Silva.
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10PM SATURDAY: TAYLOR V CARBAJAL – TAYLOR POINTS OR DECISION
In an era with four titles, it is a rare thing to collect the lot, but Taylor hasn’t only done that, she’s making the seventh defence of her horde of belts. The Irishwoman is up there with the all-time best, but even Muhammad Ali had some soft opposition.
This weekend Taylor takes on skilled and seasoned Argentine Carbajal at Wembley Arena. The challenger is unbeaten but she’s built that record in the sporting clubs of Buenos Aires and the recreation centres of Villa Raffo, and this will be her first time fighting outside of her homeland.
There’s a chance – a tiny one – that Taylor isn’t at her swashbuckling best. The Olympic gold medallist is 36 now and she’s made some very decent money – it might be harder to get up for a relatively unknown opponent after the highs of going to Madison Square Garden and beating a generational rival like Amanda Serrano back in April.
But, realistically, I can’t see an upset – the Bray boxer lives the life of a pugilistic monk, and she was in the gym days after defeating Serrano plotting her future in the sport, while Carbajal doesn’t have the power to change the narrative. It might not be an absolutely tip-top Taylor in London on Saturday but I expect her to cruise to another wide points win.
9PM SATURDAY: GILL V MARTINEZ – MARTINEZ TO WIN IN ROUND 5-8
The featherweight scrap for the European title at Wembley is going to be a humdinger. The ‘Thrill’ Gill was once known for his silky skills but now he’s gaining a reputation as a blood-and-guts fighter, while the old warhorse Martinez has been involved in brutal bouts for more than 15 years.
Gill won his last bout with a dramatic 9th round stoppage after being dropped and behind on the cards to European gatekeeper Karim Guerfi. The Brit can look majestic in the ring, but gaps in his defence and a slightly suspect chin mean he’s always on the edge of a fight-changing moment.
Martinez has been mixing with the best of Britain since he faced Rendall Munroe in 2008, and just last November he nicked a world title off Kid Galahad in Sheffield. The Spanish veteran may have lost some speed and reflexes, but I think he’ll hit too hard for a gutsy Gill and take the title in the middle rounds.
4AM SUNDAY: LOMACHENKO V ORTIZ – LOMACHENKO TO WIN IN ROUND 5-8
With the main lightweight titles having been tied up in Australia, Lomachenko has had to settle for dismantling contenders while he waits for another shot. The opponent this weekend is unbeaten prospect Ortiz, but home advantage, youth and size won’t be enough for him to get the win.
The Ortiz-backers will point to similarities between him and Teofimo Lopez, the man who beat Loma in 2019. Jamaine is big, sharp and busy, but he doesn’t have the power or the footwork of Teo, and he actually lost to Lopez as an amateur. Ortiz is known as ‘The Technician’ but he’s coming up against a magician in New York on Saturday.
The worrying result on Ortiz’s record is a draw against Joseph Adorno in 2021 – Jamaine was dropped twice by the solid but unspectacular Adorno, and Loma will know he can catch Ortiz. Lomachenko normally takes a round or two to study his opponent and after that he breaks them down – back a middle rounds win for the Ukrainian.
5AM SUNDAY: PAUL V SILVA – SILVA POINTS OR DECISION
You have to admit, Paul is sticking with boxing, improving, and gradually – very gradually – fighting better opponents. It feels a bit strange that the legendary Anderson Silva is the B-side to a YouTuber in a scrap, but the 47-year-old is happy to pick up the cheque, and hopefully give us a real fight.
Silva has actually boxed professionally four times before – winning three and losing one – and just last year he beat former champ Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. But, make no mistake, ‘The Spider’ is no world-beater and his best days are way behind him.
Paul is young athlete, seemingly dedicated to boxing, and he has decent power in his hands. Silva has been knocked out before – in boxing and MMA – but I think he’ll have enough reflexes and smarts to avoid the ‘Problem Child’s’ punches. I think it’ll be a close decision – there are big odds for Silva to win on points, and I’d love to see the Brazilian pull it off.
Boxing Tips:
10pm: Katie Taylor vs Karen Elizabeth Carbajal – Taylor to win points or decision
9pm: Jordan Gill vs Kiko Martinez – Martinez to win round 5-8
4am: Vasyl Lomachenko vs Jamaine Ortiz – Lomachenko to win round 5-8
5am: Jake Paul vs Anderson Silva – Silva points or decision
*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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