Canelo Alvarez and Billy Joe Suanders put on a superb show last weekend and now Joshua Buatsi has a chance to shine on Saturday night.
The WBA International light-heavyweight champion takes on Daniel Blenda Dos Santos in what looks like a stepping stone for bigger things later this year. Buatsi has seen off all challengers in his 13-fight professional career, and while there aren’t many miles on the clock, the 28-year-old needs to make moves as he enters the peak of his career.
The Croydon puncher has eleven knockout wins on his card, and the fact Buatsi is 1/11 to land another stoppage win, tells you all you need to know about the level of opposition.
Dos Santos boasts an unbeaten 15-bout record, but there’s little substance on that CV and the 30-year-old has never fought outside his native France.
There’s a chance Dos Santos could be completely outclassed in Manchester and backing the big punching Buatsi to end the fight before the start of the fourth round looks like a play.
The Manchester battles make up the final show in the Matchroom and Sky Sports partnership and it’s a little disappointing that there aren’t more competitive fights on Saturday night.
Obviously, things weren’t helped by Terri Harper’s injury, but it would have been preferable to have something for punters to get stuck into.
Richards Looking to Make a Statement
One bout that does have some interest is Lerrone Richards’ battle with Giovanni De Carolis for the vacant European super-middleweight title.
Richards is looking to make waves at world level and a win against the former WBA world champion would certainly put him on the map.
Sniper the Boss is unbeaten in his 14-fight professional career and made no mistake when outpointing Tommy Lanford to win the Commonwealth crown in 2019.
The Surrey slugger added the British super-middleweight belt to his collection, when winning the vacant title against Lennox Clarke later that year and this will be just the second time Richards has been out since beating Clarke.
However, De Carolis hasn’t been in the ring for nearly two years and there hasn’t been any signs to suggest the Italian is capable of reaching his past glories. The 1/12 on offer about a Richards win looks an accurate reflection of his chances and at a bigger price backing the Surrey slugger to win by decision can be considered.
A points victory for Richards is rated a 2/5 shot, and while Sniper the Boss is a talented performer, only three of his wins have come via knockout and that looks worth doubling up with under the rounds in the Buatsi contest.
*All odds correct at time of writing.