But the boxing world doesn’t entirely revolve around Mayweather and Pacquiao. The remainder of 2011 is ripe with quality fights, both inside the ring and at the sportsbook.
Here are five fights scheduled for 2011 worth keeping an eye on:
July 23: Dereck Chisora vs. Tyson Fury (Heavyweight)
Odds: Chisora -145, Fury +125
This is a sink-or-swim match for Great Britain’s top heavyweight prospects, who will fight at the famed Wembley Arena. Fury is a 6-foot-9 behemoth with decent skills but is slow and tends to telegraph his punches. Chisora (14-0 9 KOs) is only 6-foot-1 but has fast hands and a better resume, with wins over Danny Williams and Sam Sexton.
If Chisora wins, he becomes a likely candidate to face champion Wladimir Klitschko, who pulled out of scheduled meetings with the Brit twice in the past year. At less than 3-2, Chisora is the betting favorite and the better value. For Fury (14-0 10 KOs), who has struggled with the likes of John McDermott, Chisora represents a seismic step up in class. Look for Chisora, riding a four-fight KO streak, to make it five.
July 23: Amir Khan vs. Zab Judah (Junior welterweight)
Odds: Khan -465, Judah +370
Judah’s career resurrection at junior welterweight culminated with wins against Lucas Matthysse and Kaizer Mabuza, although the belt-winning win over Matthysse came via controversial split decision. At 33, Judah (41-6 28 KOs) is past his best, while Khan (25-1 17 KOs) is at his physical apex.
For those who can’t afford to lay the -465 on Khan, the under of 7.5 rounds (+165) is a value bet. Both Khan and Judah have spotty chins, although Khan, the bigger, stronger, faster fighter, is the better bet to end things early.
September 10: Vitali Klitschko vs. Tomasz Adamek (Heavyweight)
Odds: Klitschko -440, Adamek +350
Since returning from a 46-month sabbatical in 2008, Klitschko (42-2 39 KOs) has won seven consecutive fights. None of them have been remotely competitive. Despite being a former light heavyweight and cruiserweight champion, Adamek’s (44-1 28 KOs) smallish heavyweight frame plays into the hands of a 6-foot-7 250-pound behemoth like Klitschko, a master at keeping shorter, squatter foes at the end of his jab.
The odds opened at 4-1, have risen to nearly 9-2 and should climb to 5-1 or higher as the fight draws nearer. If you are a Klitschko backer, the time to wager is now.
September 17: Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Victor Ortiz (Welterweight)
Odds: Mayweather -700, Ortiz +500
Mayweather’s recent choice of opponents has garnered sufficient criticism, and justifiably so. Mayweather (41-0 25 KOs) is not taking the easy way out with Ortiz (29-2-2 22 KOs), the tough 24-year-old southpaw fresh off an April win against beltholder Andre Berto. And while that won’t satisfy the critics waiting for Mayweather-Pacquiao, Ortiz should be somewhat competitive.
At 5-1, some will consider Ortiz a “value bet”, but those people are grasping for fool’s gold. Mayweather is 34 but has taken minimal punishment during his career. Ortiz’s inability to avoid counter right hands plays into Mayweather’s strengths, although he should survive the distance, making the over (11.5 rounds, -150) the savviest play for those with a limited bankroll.
November 12: Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez (144-pound catchweight)
Odds: Pacquiao -750, Marquez +525
The two fought memorable battles in 2004 and 2008 at featherweight and junior lightweight, with Pacquiao (53-3-2 38KOs) holding a 1-0-1 mark in razor-thin contests. But Marquez (52-5-1 38KOs) is 38, fighting well above his prime fighting weight, while Pacquiao has shown an ability to defeat top-flight welterweights. And while Pacquiao’s unspectacular performance against Shane Mosley in May raised some eyebrows, he is the heavy favorite for good reason.
The consensus top pound-for-pound fighter and bona fide welterweight does not lose to blown-up featherweights. While Marquez is a future Hall-of-Famer, the excess poundage, as shown in his loss to Mayweather at welterweight in 2009, will not serve him well against Pacquiao. After three straight decision wins, look for the PacMan to score a mid-round KO.
Source: http://www.covers.com
Posted in: 
