Boxing Betting Tips
Friday, 10pm – Lukasz Rozanski v Lawrence Okolie – Lawrence Okolie To Win the Fight in Round 4 – 6
Saturday, 8pm, Gary Cully v Francesco Patera – Francesco Patera to Win
Saturday, 10:30pm – Josh Taylor v Jack Catterall – Josh Taylor to Win on 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.
There is no bigger grudge in British boxing than the one between Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall and this weekend we finally get the hotly-anticipated rematch. But before the sparks fly in Leeds, bombs are going to be thrown in Poland when big punchers Lukasz Rozanski and Lawrence Okolie duke it out.
Lukasz Rozanski v Lawrence Okolie – Okolie To Win the Fight in Round 4 – 6
TV: Sky Sports Main Event/Action, Friday, 10PM
Some ‘clever’ bod decided a couple of years ago that boxing needed a new weight division, despite absolutely nobody asking for it, so here we are discussing the ‘bridgerweight’ (224-pounds) world title fight between stocky banger Lukasz Rozanski and Olympian and former cruiserweight champ Lawrence Okolie.
Don’t worry about the silly strap, this is a tasty fight, Rozanski, 38, has been making a name for himself in Poland with 14 KOs in 15 bouts, including wins over Alen Babic and Artur Szpilka. Okolie was considered the best 200-pounder on the planet, but a split with his coach and move to Dubai coincided with an undercooked performance when he lost his belt to Chris Billiam Smith.
‘The Sauce’ seems to have his mojo back and a link up with famed Manchester-based trainer Joe Gallagher seems like a good fit. I can’t see Rozanski taking out someone with the size and experience of Okolie, and the Pole has never been past four rounds, Okolie won his World and European titles with middle-round KOs, and I think he’ll pick up another trinket in the same way.
Gary Cully v Francesco Patera – Francesco Patera to Win
TV: DAZN, Saturday, 8pm
Saturday’s undercard in Leeds is stacked with rising stars, but they are all big favourites to win their fights, Olympian Clarke has too much power for Ellis Zorro (9pm) and classy Paddy Donovan will be too slick for veteran Lewis Ritson (7pm), but I can see an upset when Irish sensation Gary Cully faces Francesco Patera (8pm).
The experienced Patera has beaten the likes of Ritson and last year he showed his steel by going the distance with the ridiculously talented Keyshawn Davis. Cully showed weaknesses in his defeat to Jose Felix and split decision win over Reece Mould, so I’m going to back the Belgian to get a win at a massive price.
Josh Taylor v Jack Catterall – Taylor Points or Decision
TV: DAZN, Saturday, 10:30PM
Some fights end ‘controversially’ but that word doesn’t do justice to the shocking decision to give Josh Taylor the decision when he faced Jack Catterall in 2022. The result meant that the undisputed super lightweight champ kept his titles, and after several cancellations and postponements, we’re finally getting the rematch more than two years later.
The delay has made the bad blood turn rancid. Disappointingly, no titles will be on the line on Saturday, but a bitter rivalry and possibly a career at the top level are at stake at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, and that’s good enough for me.
Injuries, weight issues, and chasing big fights all contributed to Taylor only fighting once since his first bout with Catterall, a unanimous points defeat to the extremely talented Teofimo Lopez. The Scot, 33, looks trim and ready to go for Saturday, but there are concerns about his inactivity and age.
Catterall, 30, has managed two comprehensive wins since 2022, over the domestic-level Darragh Foley and the over-the-hill Jorge Linares. Despite his obvious skills, ‘El Gato’ rarely gets the job done inside the distance, and it is over five years since his last KO victory.
Back in 2022, Catterall was the sharper of the two southpaws and he looked one-step ahead, especially in the early rounds. The man from Chorley even dropped Taylor in the eighth round, yet two of the judges found a way to give Taylor the win.
Not too much has changed for Catterall since that fight, the Lancashire lad is still a very astute fighter who would be a handful for almost anyone in the division. However, Taylor should be better than last time, even though ‘The Tartan Tornado’ is extremely skilled, he didn’t look like he was in the shape to execute his high-pressure game plan last time.
Catterall is the slight favourite in Paddy’s book, but I think Taylor still has enough left to get the win. I don’t see a knockout, but I can see a fit and aggressive Taylor doing enough to catch the judges’ eyes and get the nod on the cards.
Boxing Tips
Lukasz Rozanski v Lawrence Okolie – Lawrence Okolie To Win the Fight in Round 4 – 6
Gary Cully v Francesco Patera – Francesco Patera to Win
Josh Taylor v Jack Catterall – Josh Taylor to Win on 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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