Boxnation – The Undercards – Previews and Predictions
A big night of boxing on Boxnation this Saturday night sees a bumper packed undercard to accompany the main event, Billy Joe Saunders Vs Andy Lee.
The undercard will stage another world title fight in Liam Smith Vs Jimmy Kelly, while Thomas Stalker and Craig Evans will rematch there enthralling encounter from October which ended in a controversial draw.
Also Mitchell Smith looks to continue his recent KO streak against George Jupp while Paul Butler and Tommy Langford are also in action against more modest opposition. The card will also feature Liam Williams Vs Kris Carslaw.
Joe Selkirk, Vijender Singh, Jack Catterral are also in action on a stacked night of British boxing. Here is our round up of short previews, predictions and betting recommendations for the undercard.
Liam Smith Vs Jimmy Kelly
Liam Smith will make the first defence of his WBO world super welterweight title against Jimmy Kilrain Kelly, both fighters will be putting their undefeated records on the line in the process.
Kelly is a little known foe for Smiths first defence of a world title, and this must be regarded as a huge opportunity for the 23 year old to propel himself on to the world stage, perhaps somewhat unexpectedly.
I have heard many people declaring this as a mis-match, that might be understandable given that Kelly is fairly unknown and may well be far too green for an opportunity to like this.
Smith is now turning into a real bully in the ring, he tucks up nicely while cutting off the ring very well, he is physically strong and throws a sharp right hand and has real punishing body shots in his armory, he may well have the best chin of the Smith brothers also.
I have to admit I hadn’t seen anything of Kelly prior to this fight being announced but upon research I really like this fighter, he looks a very good prospect, he throws a really nice left hook to the body and head and I think he may have some underrated power there. Technically he is very good the only criticism is he telegraphs his punches at times and Smith may well be able to time them.
I know Kelly has some wrestling background and had time out of boxing due to a hand injury that threatened his career, but I believe this has now been resolved, if he is tough enough and doesn’t get overwhelmed by the occasion I believe we might have a very competitive fight on our hands.
I don’t think I have seen enough to actually call the upset, although I have to admit I am tempted too, at 5/1 I do believe Kelly is well worth a play.
The bookmakers have a Smith KO/TKO wins as odds on favourite at 4/9, I think he might be in a tougher fight than that, I am going to straddle Smith by decision at 15/4 with Jimmy Kelly to win outright at 5/1 Ladbrokes.
PREDICTION: SMITH UD
BETTING TIP: £10 on Smith by decision 15/4 Bet365, £10 on Kelly to win 5/1 Ladbrokes
Thomas Stalker Vs Craig Evans
These two put on a great show last time they fought in October, however the fight was tarnished at the end as the deserved winner did not have his hand raised, that man was Thomas Stalker who I felt won by at least 3 clear rounds.
Stalker nearly had his man out of there late on also and I am expecting him to win this time around, there isn’t much value however, with Stalker just 1/2 to win and 11/10 to win by decision.
My prediction is Stalker to win a unanimous decision, however I will be taking a stab at a little value on the 15/4 being offered on a Stalker KO/TKO win, he came close last time out to stopping Evans so certainly has the power to hurt him, he might just go one better this time.
PREDICTION: STALKER UD
BETTING TIP: £10 on Stalker by KO/TKO 15/4 Bet Bright
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Mitchell Smith Vs George Jupp
Unbeaten Mitchell Smith makes a defence of his WBO Inter-Continental super featherweight title against domestic rival George Jupp, Jupp has 12 wins with 2 losses, however hasn’t been beaten in 4 years, his 2 career losses – a prizefighter 3 round outing and a 4 rounder in 2011.
Smith is a brash character outside of the ring and may not be to everyone’s liking, however clearly has talent but is yet to face anyone of real note. Jupp has good technical foundations but doesn’t appear to possess the skills and power of smith. I am not sure Jupp is on Smith’s level here.
I think Mitchell Smith should be able to get his man out of there at some point over the 10 rounds but I struggle to see the value at 4/9 for Smith by KO/TKO, Sky Bet have the fight to go under 7 rounds at a standout price of 11/8, I feel that is playable.
PREDICTION: SMITH TKO6
BETTING TIP: £20 on under 7 rounds 11/8 Sky Bet.
Liam Williams Vs Kris Carslaw
Exciting Welsh prospect Liam Williams goes up against Scotland’s Kris Carslaw, Carslaw brings plenty of experience having mixed it up over the 12 round distance at British and European title level with Brian Rose and Michel Soro, however has fallen short on each occasion.
However to go the distance with the likes of Michel Soro shows Carslaw is a tough fighter who cannot be overlooked. However I believe Liam Williams is the best fighter Carslaw has ever faced above the likes of Soro and Brian Rose.
Williams comes from a solid amateur background having trained with the GB team and I think this man is extremely talented, Carslaw has never been stopped before but I think that may change this Saturday night as I believe Williams will have far too much.
Unfortunately the bookmakers agree with me and Williams is a best price 8/11 to find the stoppage, however Coral have the fight to go under 9.5 rounds at evens and I have my eye on a William mid rounds stoppage so that suits me.
PREDICTION: WILLIAMS TKO6
BETTING TIP: £20 on under 9.5 rounds 1/1 Coral
With so many other fights happening I don’t want to make the blog excessively long so here is a round up of all other predictions and betting recommendations.
Paul Butler Vs Silvio Olteanu
PREDICTION: BUTLER KO5
BETTING TIP: £20 on Butler by KO/TKO 19/20 Bet Bright
Tommy Langford Vs Robert Swierzbinski
PREDICTION: LANGFORD UD
BETTING TIP: No recommendations
Joe Selkirk Vs Rastislav Frano
PREDICTION: SELKIRK TKO2
BETTING TIP: No recommendations
Vijender Singh Vs Samet Hyuseinov
PREDICTION: SINGH TKO4
BETTING TIP: No recommendations
Jack Catterall Vs Noe Nunez
PREDICTION: CATTERALL TKO7
BETTING TIP: No recommendations