Boxing explodes from its winter slumber as we move into February. It’s not a moment too soon for fans who had little to enjoy during a barren January that was only briefly brought to life by Manny Pacquiao’s impressive win over Adrien Broner in Las Vegas. It’s great to have the noble art back on our schedule and followers have some mouth-watering match-ups on Feb 2nd. Here are our top Eleider Alvarez v Sergey Kovalev betting tips.
British fans enjoy a double-header with bouts of note taking place on both sides of the Atlantic. In London, on Saturday night Ted Cheeseman aims to add another win to his perfect record when challenging unbeaten Spaniard Sergio Garcia at the 02 Arena, live on Sky Sports. A fixture involving two talented, ambitious men who will fight tooth and nail to protect the 0 currently standing in their defeats column. It’ll be one to enjoy and you’ll find an in-depth preview on the betting tips section of our site as we aim to mark the occasion with a nice priced winner.
Another Top Bout
When that one is done and dusted and the result is in the books, we then take our attentions to the Ford Center at The Star, Frisco. Fans’ favourite, Sergey Kovalev, takes part in what will be his 37th professional outing. The talented 35-year-old takes on Colombian Eleidar Alvarez over 12 rounds for the WBO world light heavyweight title in a bout that’s also a long-awaited rematch. Alvarez scored a surprise seventh-round stoppage win back in August before a shocked Atlantic City audience; as such, he will fancy himself good enough for more of the same here.
Bookies make this a 50/50
Bookmakers have had their say and offer Alvarez as favourite; however, there’s not a lot in it with the odds-makers preferring to stay out of the argument as best they can and allow punters to sort it out amongst themselves. This is about as close to a 50/50 in terms of pre-fight betting odds as you’re likely to find this year and that’ll catch the attention of value hunters, always on the prowl for an overpriced selection, poised to seize on any mistakes from the trading floor.
There’s certainly value to be found if working for it and any 50/50 fight is always a delight to preview from a betting perspective. We are lovers of the sport; however, our number one priority is helping you beat the bookies and turn a steady profit from your enjoyment. Play it right and we could all be paid for watching the big fight.
Top Betting Markets
There are lots to choose from if betting on this one. You can call the fight winner, which is a job in itself, or push the boat out a little and shoot for the bigger prices available in the method of victory market, taking your fighter to win by knockout or on points. Other markets of note are the bout to go the distance or not, total number of rounds and, where the real money lies, in predicting the exact round the fight will end in.
Krusher out for Revenge
Sergey Kovalev will duck between the ropes on fight night with a professional record of 32 wins against three defeats and one draw. The 35-year-old Russian is one of the most naturally talented fighters on the circuit at the minute; however, he has lost three of his last five and that has gone some way to denting his legacy. Two of the Florida-based orthodox’s three defeats can be easily explained away and forgiven; they came at the hands of pound-for-pound star Andre Ward when the pair met in 2016 and 2017. Kovalev dropped a narrow points decision the first time but was stopped in eight in the rematch, SOG announcing his retirement at the end of the contest.
Krusher bounced back to winning ways, as many expected him to, courtesy of a second-round TKO over Ukrainian Vyacheslav Shabranskyy in New York. He followed that with another win inside the distance, Russian Igor Mikhalkin battered into submission inside seven painful rounds at Madison Square Garden on March of last year. Sergey was back in action in the summer of 2018 and expected to complete the hat-trick when facing Canadian-based Colombian Eleider Alvarez at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino with IBA and WBO world titles on the line; however, the fight didn’t follow the script with the betting favourite well beaten on the night.
Back to the Drawing Board
Kovalev was downed in round seven of a fight scheduled for 12. Referee David Fields called on his experience and ended things at 2.25 after the beaten man had been knocked down three times, looking in no fit state to continue. That sparked wild celebrations amongst Alvarez and his team, Sergey forced back to the drawing board to look at where his career goes next.
He showed the bravery and character we have come to expect from him and dived back into the lion’s den, demanding a rematch with the rival who left his future hanging by a thread. Win and Kovalev can stay at the top for as long as he sees fit; lose and he’ll be forced to seriously contemplate retirement with his recent form then reading 2-4-0.
Traders Have Their say
The betting for this fight has Kovalev as second favourite with the majority of firms; however, there’s a level of uncertainty amongst traders and that shows in the prices. Bet365 offer revenge at a market best price even money and that leaps off the page at us, although some of their main competitors are slightly less convinced and give the same outcome at 10/11. There’s not a lot in it, you may think; however, if backing Kovalev you must take the better price with Bet365 as that loose change makes a big difference over the course of a season.
We’re having Kovalev at evens with Bet365 as our bet of the night; however, but there’s more to be had if you’re happy to take on a bigger risk. Back your opinions with cash and say how he’ll get the job done. Sergey carries a 78% knockout average and him levelling up the score with a KO/TKO wouldn’t rate as a major shock. He will be keen to steer clear of his opponent’s heavy-handed attacks in the early stages, however, given what happened last time As such, the points win shouldn’t be easily overlooked, neither should the bout to go more than 7.5 rounds.
There’s a Storm Brewing
Eleider Alvarez perhaps has the right to feel a little hard done by as his heroics in beating Kovalev against all the odds last time didn’t receive the attention they deserved. The 34-year-old, fighting out of Montreal, scored that knockout win to take his professional record to 24 wins from as many starts, with a dozen of those victories coming inside the distance. A 50% KO average won’t be taken lightly by Team Kovalev, especially on the back of what happened in the summer.
The 6ft orthodox stopped Lucian Bute in five rounds two years ago. That was followed that with a majority decision over Jean Pascal in what was a thrilling fight at the Bell Centre, Montreal in June 2017, before recording a career-best win vs Kovalev. Doing the double would be the icing on the cake and would ensure more column space was dedicated to his talents, rather than the shock of the result. Defeat would surely set-up a third fight decider and that’s a possibility that should be kept in mind when approaching this one. The money men in boxing love a trilogy. Bookies have Alvarez best at even money.
Our Tip: Kovalev – evens at Bet365
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