Saturday Night Boxing Tips – Amir Khan and Kell Brook Take To The Ring

Following on from James DeGale’s world title win, two big domestic welterweight rival’s box on separate bills as Amir Khan faces Chris Algieri and Kell Brook takes on Frankie Gavin. Keep reading for our best bets!

Amir Khan v Chris Algieri – Live on Box Nation from 02:00, Saturday

Khan (30-3, 19 KO) v Algieri (20-1, 8 KO)

Now 30-3 after easily beating former world champion Devon Alexander on points in his last bout, Amir ‘King’ Khan has so far refused to fight fellow English welterweight Kell ‘Special K’ Brook in what would be a domestic super-fight and continues to instead chase a mega-fight with pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Olympic silver medallist Khan has rapid hand speed and believes that he has the boxing style to beat Mayweather Jr, but since the Englishman has lost twice by knockout and has been downed in some of his victories, he’s facing a man with little punching power for a reason this weekend.

Indeed, although Chris Algieri is a brave and tough fighter, he’s scored a mere eight KO’s from twenty wins so Khan doesn’t, in theory, face much of a risk of falling behind in the Mayweather Jr stakes by being knocked out.

Most recently, after his remarkable defeat of Ruslan Provodnikov, former kickboxing champion Algieri was knocked down several times before losing to Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao on points.

Khan v Algieri Betting Tips

Khan is offered at 1/12 with Betfair, Algieri is available at 9/1 with Bet365 and you can bet on a draw at 33/1 with Paddy Power. In terms of method of victory, Khan is best priced at 4/5 to win by KO/TKO/DQ with Ladbrokes or 7/5 to win on points with Betfair, while Algieri is 25/1 to win by KO/TKO/DQ with Bet 365 or 16/1 to win on points with Ladbrokes.

In conclusion, we think that Algieri doesn’t have the power to trouble Khan and see the Englishman as the superior boxer, so it’s a case of deciding how Khan wins.

It’s worth noting that Khan has to make an impression and either win by stoppage or via a clear points verdict in order to further press his claims for a bout with ‘Money’ Mayweather Jr.

Now, since Algieri managed to last the distance after being downed several times by Pacquiao and was brave enough to outbox a brutal hard-hitter in Ruslan Provodnikov with one eye swelled shut for ten rounds, we think that the gutsy American should be able to last the distance with Khan.

[quote_center]Advised Bet: Khan on points at 7/5 with Betfair[/quote_center]

Kell Brook v Frankie Gavin – Live on Sky Sports Box Office from 17:00, Saturday

Brook (34-0, 23 KO) v Gavin (22-1, 13 KO)

Recovering from a brutal and unprovoked leg stabbing whilst on holiday, IBF world welterweight champion Kell ‘Special K’ Brook easily stopped Jo Jo Dan in his comeback fight in March 2015 and showed no signs of ring rust.

Since denied a fight by long-term rival Amir Khan, Brook is now instead defending his title against stable-mate and fellow Englishman Frankie Gavin – who actually requested the fight.

A 2007 world amateur champion, and England’s first ever, Frankie ‘Funtime’ Gavin is an accomplished boxer, but one who doesn’t carry much punching power.

Downed by a body shot, Gavin tasted defeat for the first time as a professional in a split-decision loss to Leonard Bundu in 2014. Recovering to win three bouts in a row, Gavin regained his Commonwealth title and will receive his first ever world title shot in the pro ranks against Brook.

Brook v Gavin Betting Tips

Brook is offered at 1/8 by William Hill, Gavin is available at 8/1 with Bet365 and you can bet on a draw at 33/1 with Paddy Power. In terms of method of victory, Brook is priced at 8/13 to win by KO/TKO or DQ with Ladbrokes or 21/10 to win on points with Bet 365, while Gavin is 24/1 to win by KO/TKO/DQ with Betfair or 11/1 to win on points with Bet 365.

In conclusion, Gavin is a skilled boxer but one that doesn’t have a strong punch, so he’ll likely take his time in trying to outbox Brook over twelve rounds, while  the Sheffield man will look to hunt his opponent down and force a stoppage.

Gavin’s awkward southpaw style and technical skill should allow him to hold Brook off until the later rounds, while a Brook points win is not out of the question, so we’ll take a punt on over 8.5 total rounds.

[quote_center]Advised bet: Over 8.5 total rounds at 8/11 with Paddy Power[/quote_center]