Making predictions on this weekends boxing action.
Errol Spence Jr (-485) vs Danny Garcia (+415)
Stakes: IBF, WBC World Welterweight Titles (Spence)
When: Saturday, December 5th, 9pm ET/6pm PT
Where: At&t Stadium, Arlington, Texas
TV: FOX PPV
As expected, 🇺🇸Errol Spence Jr. is the betting favorite in Saturday’s matchup against 🇺🇸Danny Garcia, and even after Spence’s car accident and 15 month layoff he maintains the edge by heavy odds at -485, Garcia comes in at +410.
Looking at the skillsets of the matchup I give Spence the edge in power, strength, defense, athleticism and a slight edge in overall ring IQ. The one category I will give a very slight nod to Garcia in is chin, and that comes down to the big punchers he’s stood tall against without hitting the deck throughout his career.
While Garcia’s no look left hook has become famous, it hasn’t been the game changer against the 147 elite as it was at 140, and I don’t think that will change Saturday night. I do think Spence will show some rust, but it will be more about the overall time away from the ring than the damage he took in his car accident.
Garcia’s best bet is to get off to as fast a start as possible, which will be a different approach for the natural counter puncher, but necessary to get some rounds under his belt should Spence start slow. Once Spence gets his rythym going I think his aggression and body punching will force Garcia to play it closer to the vest than he ever has, preventing him from getting the timing down to deliver that counter left hook.
I dont expect Danny Garcia to get steam rolled by any means in this one, but I do expect Spence to win even the competitive rounds clearly enough to take a decisive unanimous decision in his return to the ring.
Prediction: Errol Spence 117-111
Billy Joe Saunders (-2250) vs Martin Murray (+950)
Stakes: WBO World Super-Middleweight Title (Saunders)
When: Friday, December 4th, 1pm ET/ 10am PT
Where: Wembley Arena, London, UK
TV: DAZN
Incredibly wide odds for this one. While these two fighters bring up polar opposite emotions in boxing fans, 🇬🇧Martin Murray being the blue collar hard nose and hard luck fighter, and 🇬🇧Billy Joe Saunders the antagonizing, frustrating fighter that fans have been longing to see step up or step away, the fact is the odds most likely represent what this fight is.
While Murray has never been able to put a world title around his waist after four tries, he has always garnered the respect of fans for his efforts and will. However at 38, it’s unlikely there is enough gas in the tank to get him past the often times lackluster but still superior fighter in Billy Joe Saunders. Saunders drives boxing fans up the wall with the lack of competition he faces, and of late seems to only prepare as much as he feels he needs to to get by. In all Saunders appears to be content cashing a fight check a year, doing so because he’s good at it but not concerned with overall legacy.
I’d like to think Murray will dig deep to find a way to push Billy Joe to the brink in this one, but I cant bring myself to honestly convince myself of it. I predict Saunders cruises past Murray in a fairly lackluster bout.
Prediction: Saunders 119-109
Anthony Yarde (-900) vs Lyndon Arthur (+550)
Stakes: British Commonwealth Light-Heavyweight Title
When: Friday, December 4th, 2pm ET/11pm PT
Where: Wembley Arena, London, UK
TV: None
The rebuild continues for 🇬🇧Anthony Yarde (29). Saturday he will face 🇬🇧Lyndon Arthur for the British Commonwealth Light-Heavyweight title. This one will come down to levels as Yarde fell short in his quest for a world title against Sergey Kovalev but pushed the Russian to the edge before suffering a knockout. Since then Yarde has delivered back to back knockouts against lesser competition including common opponent Dec Spelman whom Arthur took a 10 round decision over. Arthur has picked up solid wins against domestic level competition but I don’t think he holds up under the firepower of Yarde.
Prediction: Yarde by knockout
Side Picks
Sebastian Fundora (-1000) decision over Jorge Cota (+550): 🇲🇽Jorge Cota is an experienced fighter who has stepped in with Jermell Charlo and Jeison Rosario. He is a good step up for the 22 year old 🇺🇸Sebastian Fundora who stands 6’5 in the 154 pound division. The “Towering Inferno” should continue working on maximizing his 80″ reach to keep Cota at bay to earn the decision.
Josesito Lopez (-357) decision over Francisco Santana (+250): Hoping this turns out to be the fun fight it has the potential for. 🇺🇸Francisco Santana has dropped four out of his last five bouts, including a decision loss to Jarrett Hurd, but he don’t go easily. I expect 🇺🇸Josesito Lopez to get the better of the exchanges when the firefights break out, earning him the nod on the judges cards.
COMBAT PROJECT 