British Fight Fans Get A Double Dose of Fight Night Action on Saturday

It’s been another sensational year for British boxing fans with some of the top fighters from these shores being involved in some outstanding World title fights across the year. The likes of Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, Tony Bellew, Callum Smith, Josh Warrington, Lee Selby, Dillian Whyte, George Groves, Amir Khan, Kell Brook and co have all been involved in some stellar fights during 2018.

This weekend, is arguably the biggest boxing weekend in the UK for many years as there is not just one big premier event taking place, but two. At the Manchester Arena, Josh Warrington will defend the IBF Featherweight title he won from Lee Selby earlier in the year against former Super Bantamweight and Featherweight world title holder Carl Frampton.

Then at the 02 Arena, it will be the turn of the bigger boys to lace up their gloves as Dillian Whyte takes on Dereck Chisora once again in what promises to be a tumultuous heavyweight clash, which could have ramifications throughout the division in terms of potential future opponents for the likes of Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder.

Of course, such a big night of boxing means that there will be plenty of punters looking to enjoy a flutter on either one or both fights on Saturday. As always, we recommend bet365 Sport for all your sports betting and new customers can also benefit from up to £100 worth of bet credits when they sign up using the latest bet365 Sport New Customer Promotion.

Let’s look ahead to both fights now with our tips for each, starting with the Featherweight clash taking place in Manchester.

Josh Warrington v Carl Frampton – for the IBF World Featherweight belt

After claiming the IBF featherweight belt in his win over Lee Selby earlier this year, Josh Warrington has taken on one of the biggest tests in the division as he faces fellow Brit in Belfast’s former double-weight world champion Carl Frampton.

The Irish-born fighter has landed world titles at Super-Bantamweight and Featherweight in the last few years, although he lost his featherweight title to Leo Santa Cruz a few years back, in what was yet another very close contest between the fighters.

Frampton has won all his contests since then and that remains the only blemish on his career. Warrington is yet to taste defeat and was a worthy winner against Selby, where he was the strong underdog in that fight, but where his relentless pressure and non-stop punching wore down the Welshman.

Frampton does possess a powerful right hand which is going to be his most potent weapon. If Warrington can withstand that, if it should land on his chin, then the Englishman could score another big upset win here, with Frampton being the clear favourite.

Tale of the Tape

How does the fight unfold?

For all Warrington’s strengths as a fighter, I can’t see him altering his high-pressure, punch-heavy offensive tactics for anybody, even for an opponent as talented as Frampton. That could be a problem against a fighter as talented and as powerful for his size as the Irishman, but it is that workrate which has taken Warrington to 27 unbeaten victories in his career.

Frampton I think will try and be more strategic, pick his punches and try to use Frampton’s relentlessness against him. If the Irishman can land clean shots, which Lee Selby struggled to do, then he could have Warrington in real trouble here.

The bookies have Frampton as the clear favourite but I think it is much closer than they have priced up and I am going to take Warrington to secure the win on points.

Our Tips

• Josh Warrington to win – 7/4
• Josh Warrington to win by Unanimous Decision – 4/1

Dillian Whyte v Dereck Chisora 2 – The Heavyweight Rematch

Back in 2015, Dereck Chisora pushed Dillian Whyte all the way in one of the best heavyweight clashes of modern times. The brutal battle, which saw both fighters trading savage blows across 12-rounds of non-stop action eventually saw Whyte land the win by split decision, in somewhat controversial circumstances.

A few years later, these two fighters now meet again at the 02 Arena in London with festive spirit definitely in short supply. Whyte is now looking to push on and confirm himself as a genuine world title contender ready to challenge the likes of Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder and maybe Anthony Joshua once again for top honours.

For Dereck Chisora, this is arguably his last chance to earn a world title shot by beating Whyte before he draws the curtain on an explosive and at times controversial career. However, there is no denying that for me, Chisora is not quite the same fighter physically or mentally that he was when the two first met and while Chisora’s performance levels may have dipped slightly, I feel that Whyte’s have improved markedly.

One thing is for sure, if this fight has even half the action that the last fight between the pair had, then fight fans will be in for an exciting evening in what has become one of the most iconic nights of boxing in the UK for many years.

Tale of the Tape

How does the fight unfold?

For me, I don’t think Chisora can approach this fight in any other way other than to try and knock Whyte out in the early rounds. He is five years older than Whyte and not in as good a physical condition as his opponent and the one weapon he has, Whyte has shown he can take, so I am expecting an early onslaught from Chisora in the opening round.

However, I believe Whyte now has the skills, class and experience to deal with this and pick the moment to launch his counters. I also feel Whyte’s punching power is also much improved and as such, I can see him causing Chisora many more problems than he did in the first fight, in which he had Chisora rattled several times.

I can see Chisora punching himself out early in this fight and Whyte then taking full advantage to claim an early knockout victory.

Our Tips

• Dillian Whyte to win – 3/10
• Dillian Whyte to win by knockout – 15/2