The weird world of boxing is throwing up a few more humdingers this weekend. The same show this weekend in America features YouTube superstar Jake Paul against 58-year-old boxing icon Mike Tyson and a contest between women’s pound-for-pound stars Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano.
And, over in Saudi Arabia, cruiserweights Gilberto Ramirez and Chris Billiam-Smith throw down in a unification clash.
Our Boxing tipster, Matt Gipon, has examined the above fights and found three value picks. Let’s get his thoughts.
Boxing Betting Tips
Saturday, 3am Katie Taylor v Amanda Serrano – Katie Taylor by decision
Saturday, 4am Jake Paul v Mike Tyson – Jake Paul by decision
Saturday, 11pm Gilberto Ramirez v Chris Billam-Smith – Chris Billam-Smith by decision
Katie Taylor v Amanda Serrano – Katie Taylor by decision
TV: Netflix, Saturday, 3am
The first fight between Taylor and Serrano in 2022 was the biggest fight in women’s boxing history. The sold-out headline event at Madison Square Garden was a battle royale, with the Irishwoman narrowly edging the decision on the judge’s cards and walking off with all four of the lightweight straps, and the rematch has been the most anticipated fight ever since.
The fight this weekend is for four belts again but this time in the super lightweight division. Taylor managed to acquire the baubles in a hard-fought win over Briton Chantelle Cameron at the end of 2023, avenging her defeat to Cameron just six months earlier. The gap between the Cameron rematch and this fight is the longest layoff in Katie’s career but the consensus feeling is that the break has done her good.
Since the first scrap with Taylor, Serrano has dropped back to featherweight, where she regained her status as a unified champ. Gliding through the weight divisions is nothing new for the Puerto Rican, who has a Guinness World Record for the most world championships won in different weight classes by a female fighter.
There’s still little to choose between Taylor, 38, and Serrano, 36 – these two could fight 100 times, and I am sure everyone would be contentious. Taylor has shown an ability to adapt in rematches and is naturally the bigger athlete. I’m backing her in repeating the feat and notching up another famous win on the cards.
Jake Paul v Mike Tyson – Jake Paul by decision
TV: Netflix, Saturday, 4am
I have to admit, even for a boxing purist, this bout is intriguing. Paul, 27, is the YouTube prankster who has carved a career as a serious fighter, while Tyson, 58, is still the youngest heavyweight champion in history and considered by many to still be the ‘baddest man on the planet’.
This fight is also the first headline event for Netflix’s foray into sports. It’s not an exhibition bout, but the rules are funky – it’s scheduled for just eight 2-minute rounds compared to the usual 3-minute rounds in men’s boxing, and the gloves will weigh 14 ounces rather than the standard 10 ounces.
‘Iron’ Mike started his career with a devastating run of KO wins, but in his last four professional bouts, between 2002 and 2005, he lost three by knockout. The last time Tyson won a title fight was in 1996.
Even during his career, Tyson battled addiction, and since boxing, he’s only marginally looked after himself better. In recent years, he’s been best known for his Hotboxin’ podcast, where he smokes cannabis with his guests, and he openly talks about regularly taking magic mushrooms.
The most dedicated boxers demonstrate massive declines in boxing prowess late in their careers, which usually happens as a boxer approaches their 40s. This version of Tyson is nowhere near the feared beast of 30 years ago – not physically and not in mindset either.
There aren’t many question marks about Paul now – he’s a committed novice boxer who is actually quite decent. The Disney kid will never be world-class, but he’s got plenty enough to beat this version of the New York legend. The first few rounds could be tasty, but I expect Paul will do just enough to keep this going until the final bell.
Gilberto Ramirez v Chris Billam-Smith – Chris Billam-Smith by decision
TV: Sky Sports, Saturday, 11pm
The best men’s fight this weekend takes place on Saturday night in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia when Ramirez and Billam Smith put their cruiserweight titles on the line in a massive unification match.
Mexico’s Ramirez is a talented southpaw who can throw lots of punches, but Britain’s ‘CBS’ is a big, hard, technically sound competitor. Ramirez might pick up the early rounds with superior skills, but I expect that Billiam-Smith will force his way into the fight, and I think the Bournemouth man will edge out another impressive win on points.
Boxing Tips
Saturday, 3am Katie Taylor v Amanda Serrano – Katie Taylor by decision
Saturday, 4am Jake Paul v Mike Tyson – Jake Paul by decision
Saturday, 11pm Gilberto Ramirez v Chris Billam-Smith – Chris Billam-Smith 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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