A great fight ahead as Gervonta Davis v Abner Mares goes head to head, in one of many great fights coming up. Followers of big-time boxing have an action-packed weekend in store with bouts of note taking place in both the UK and America. In London we see a number of Britain’s rising stars aim for title glory, including Ted Cheeseman who looks to dethrone fellow unbeaten fighter Sergio Garcia who arrives as the defending European champion.
Across the pond and Sergey Kovalev has been written off by bookmakers who say he has little chance of gaining revenge for a seventh-round knockout defeat suffered at the hands of Eleider Alvarez back in the summer when the rivals meet in a much-anticipated rematch in Frisco on Sunday morning; this is a clash you can follow live on BoxNation. One well worth staying up for.
The Big Fight
The fight we will concentrate on in here – Geronta Davis v Abner Mares – however, is one for the purists. Rising star Gervonta Davis puts his reputation on the line when meeting Abner Mares at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson over 12 rounds. The WBA super featherweight world title is on the line here and we’re guaranteed drama before the score is settled.
Two evenly matched fighters, pitting the skill and natural ability of Davis against the experience and determination of Mares will result in a memorable bout with excitement guaranteed. Odds compilers are keen to help you mark the occasion with a bet and offer up a number of eye-catching markets, including fight winner, bout to go the distance of method of victory.
There’s plenty of value to be found and our team of sports betting experts and former professional boxers call on their expert knowledge to help steer you towards a pay-out. There’s not much in sport better than a night of championship boxing, except a winning bet achieved by correctly predicting the result.
Tank Remains Untouched
Gervonta Davis heads into the latest challenge of his career with a perfect 20-fight record, no less than 19 of his wins coming by way of knockout. The 24-year-old rising star made his debut at DC Armory in Washington with a first-round KO over Desi Williams six years ago; he has since wasted no time clambering through the ranks. The Maryland born fighter’s path to the top has earned him a clutch of titles, including the IBF super featherweight world strap and WBA title in the same weight category. He has been taken the distance only once to date and that was over six rounds by German Meraz early in his career, a result that’s easy enough to overlook.
Tank quickly got back down to business and won the IBF title in 2017 with the seventh-round stoppage of Jose Pedraza in Brooklyn. Briton Liam Walsh lasted only three rounds next time out when Davis defended his crown with another stoppage at the Copperbox Arena in London, landing a perfectly timed overhand right to end things. British fight fans have been fully paid up members of his fan club ever since and would consider it an honour if he were to return to these shores.
Knockout form continues
That knockout form continued when Davis dealt with Costa Rican Francisco Fonseca at the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas next time out, needing only eight rounds to win the fight. The result was what he wanted; however, it was a forgettable night for the champion who lost his beloved title after failing to make the championship weight. This was a hammer blow for the man who hadn’t put a foot out of place previously. He refused to let it hold him back, however.
Tank grabbed the WBA bauble next time out in devastating fashion, Jesus Marcelo Andres Cuellar going no more than three rounds before referee Benjy Esteves Jr waived things off for the beaten man’s own safety. Davis was back on top, his winning run in full flight and there’s now no reason to expect him to trip up when meeting Abner Mares this weekend.
Support of the Bookies
Davis, as well as the support from the vast majority inside the stadium on fight night, also has the backing of bookmakers who have moved quickly to price him as the red-hot favourite for a 21st career win. It’s difficult to argue against that stance; however, backers will have to work hard for a share of the value as Gervonta to win is marked at 1/9 by William Hill. That’s very tight indeed, but it’s a view shared by the majority of the competition and you won’t find too much better available.
Thankfully, there’s more to get excited about in the method of victory market where you can bet on how Davis will win. A punt on the KO/TKO is the obvious choice, given the favourite’s form in the lead up to this contest and that’s sure to be particularly popular with punters.
A bet on this one to go the distance and test the scoring judges carries a higher return but in backing that you’ll be going firmly against the grain. Take the jolly to win by KO/TKO in your fight night accumulators, that’s our best bet. A win in the second half of the contest makes more appeal, rounds 7-12 looking worth a play at interest stakes.
Mares Has Been Written Off
33-year-old Mexican Abner Mares is no stranger to the big nights and has seen off his fair share of up-and-coming talents over the years; however, a tough night’s work is expected when matched with Tank and the majority following the build-up expect him to end up as nothing more than another stat on his opponent’s record. The Jalisco born fighter is now based in California and proudly displays a record reading 31 wins, three defeats and one draw. 15 of his victories have come by way of knockout and if Davis makes the mistake of taking him lightly, he has the power to cause an upset.
The three fights lost by Mares came against Jhonny Gonzalez in 2013 when knocked out inside a round in what was a shock result, before losing twice to Leo Santa Cruz, first on a majority decision and then on a unanimous. There’s no shame in either of those reverses and the underdog will duck between the ropes confident he can shine without the added pressure of carrying any expectations. He’s picked to lose but this is a tough sport where anything can happen, as we’ve witnessed many times before.
Traders Dead Against Abner
Fancy the upset here? You’ll certainly be in the minority and bookmakers are dead against Abner Mares winning this bout. So much so they are confident enough to offer up some big numbers to anyone willing to take them on and you’ll get a cracking 5/1 with William Hill. A big price and worth a handful of loose change if you want to keep things interesting but be careful who you trust with your stake money. Some firms are as tight as 4/1 on the same punt and we can’t afford to give away any points. That would be criminal.
Looking at the stats and you may find a trend you believe is worth sticking with for a bigger price. Four of Mares’ last five fights have travelled the scheduled distance and that sticks out with a chunky offer made on the points win. A KO/TKO seems highly unlikely as Abner carries a lowly 43% knockout average into the fight and there’s not a price that could entice us into backing him to stop Davis in front of his own fans.
Our Tip: Davis to win by knock out – Best Odds William Hill
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