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Big-time boxing returns to our screens on Saturday evening from the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester. Frank Warren for Queensberry Promotions presents his star-studded Magnificent 7 card, headlined by a mouth-watering UK v USA heavyweight showdown. England's Moses Itauma takes on American Jermaine Franklin Jr over ten rounds.
Many boxing pundits consider Itauma the next big thing in British boxing, especially in the highest division. The 21-year-old from Kent, England, boasts a proud unbeaten record and devastating punch power. He faces the toughest test of his career when taking on an opponent who went 12 rounds with Anthony Joshua in 2023. Team Franklin fancy an upset.
Will Itauma continue his stunning winning streak, or will the experienced underdog silence the crowd and spoil the party? The leading online bookmakers offer a list of pre-fight betting markets, allowing boxing lovers to target a profit. Flashscore's former professional boxer Frank Monkhouse walks you through his Itauma v Franklin Jr betting tips.
Itauma v Franklin Jr tips
Fight not to go the distance @ 2/7 (bet365)
Over 6.5 rounds @ 1/1 (bet365)
Itauma by KO/TKO @ 1/3 (bet365)
Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
Fight to go the distance - no
Traders working at every major bookmaker have Moses Itauma as their red-hot favourite. The odds offered suggest defeat would be a huge upset, with many viewing the home win as a foregone conclusion. That's understandable, given Itauma's record, but heavyweight boxing is fast-paced, unpredictable, and great fun to follow. I rate Moses, but not his odds.
With no value available in the fight-winner market, unless you're backing the American, I open with a bet on Itauma v Franklin Jr not to last the ten-round distance. With this approach, it doesn't matter which fighter wins. As long as the bout ends before the bell to signal the end of round number ten, you'll beat the bookies and secure a handy profit.
The odds available on Saturday's clash not reaching the end of round ten make it best suited to your weekend accumulators. The stats suggest followers will get a run for their money. Moses hasn't gone the distance in nine bouts, a run that goes back to the summer of 2023. He beat Argentina's Kevin Nicolas Espindola on points over six rounds in Telford that night.
Tip: Fight not to go the distance @ 2/7 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Itauma v Franklin Jr ends inside the distance, your bet wins.
Total rounds - over 6.5
Despite picking Moses and Jermaine to settle things inside the distance, I don't expect this one to end too early. The trading team at bet365 offer odds on the total number of rounds, setting the bar at 6.5 rounds. You can bet on the fight ending before or after the midway point of round number six. Franklin's experience means the Brit won't blow him away.
Looking at the American's CV, we see he has lost only to Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte, when both UK heavyweights were in their prime. Taking AJ the 12-round distance is an incredible feat, considering the Londoner KO'd the likes of Alexander Povetkin, Wladimir Klitschko, and Carlos Takam. We must respect Franklin's impressive fitness and durability.
Sticking with the man fighting out of the 'away' corner, we note Jermaine won on points over ten rounds in two of his three fights since losing to AJ. The 6' 3" orthodox won the spare when stopping Devin Vargas inside six rounds two years ago. I don't expect him to make it to the end, but I do believe the puncher from Michigan can avoid an early onslaught.
Tip: Over 6.5 rounds @ 1/1 (bet365)
Bet explanation: You'll make a profit on this bet if Itauma v Franklin Jr goes past 6.5 rounds.
Method of victory - Itauma by KO/TKO
The third and final pick from Itauma v Franklin Jr is for the English warrior to beat the American without the help of the scoring judges. Visit the bet365 app, find the Itauma v Franklin Jr betting market, and the method of victory. You're backing Moses to win by KO/TKO, another with odds that are best suited to multiples, including fight night accas.
When targeting the method of victory, you need both parts of the bet to land to secure a return. If Itauma wins on points or Franklin Jr by any method, your bet loses, and the bookmaker keeps your stake. Thankfully, the form of the betting favourite gives gamblers good reason to be confident. Itauma by KO/TKO landed in each of his last nine showings.
How he's been beating opponents adds confidence. Focusing on that nine-fight run, we see that Moses never went past the second round. Interestingly, he won six of those nine fights inside the first round. Itauma has incredible power, an aggressive style, and a big support. He'll bash Franklin Jr, but the American has the power to ensure his opponent won't throw caution to the wind from the first bell.
Tip: Itauma by KO/TKO @ 1/3 (bet365)
Bet explanation: Your bet wins if Itauma beats Franklin Jr inside the distance.
Itauma v Franklin Jr odds
Franklin Jr win @ 10/1 (bet365)
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The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.