Live on Skysports 2: Tues 20.00: A cracking Prizefighter line-up includes former world champ Junior Witter, a 13/5 chance at Sportingbet.
There’s no doubting that the biggest name in the Prizefighter welterweight shootout is former WBC light-welterweight champion Junior Witter but while Yorkshireman, at the peak of his powers, would be a class apart from the eight-man field at the York Hall, at 37 years of age and arriving on the back of three defeats in his last four fights, there’s a suggestion that Witter’s best days are behind him.
The frantic nature of the three round contests may not suit Witter either but his pedigree is sufficient to make him second favourite at 13/5 with Sportingbet.
Former IBO light-welterweight title-holder Colin Lynes heads the betting at 5/2 (Totesport) and he’ll fancy his chances having taken part in a Prizefighter event in December 2009 when Gavin Rees beat him on points in the final. That experience will stand the durable Lynes, who lost a decision to Witter over a dozen rounds in 2005, in good stead and he could be a hard man to beat in Bethnal Green.
Nevertheless, a 4/1 shot at , Yassine El Maachi might be the eye-catcher in more ways than one. Never short on confidence, the flashy Moroccan lost four of his opening eight professional bouts but has reeled off ten consecutive victories since then and in short contests he is capable of catching the eye of the judges.
Chances are he will face Lynes in the semi-final and he might just have the style to trouble the outright jolly while the motivation for El Maachi, both financial and in terms of furthering his career are huge.
Bold punters can back El Maachi to meet Kevin McIntrye in the final at 10/1 (Boylesports) but there’s little value to be had in the quarter-final, with all four favourites likely to progress at very short prices, to set up a mouth-watering semi-final stage.
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