AFTER a year out of the spotlight Kevin Mitchell’s return to the ring looks set to end in defeat, according to the betting on Betfair. Mitchell takes on John Murray for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) Inter-Continental lightweight title at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, but odds of 9-5 suggest that the Essex star’s comeback will be short lived.
With an unbeaten run that stretches way back to September 2003, punters on the betting exchange are backing Murray to win in the North West on Saturday. The 26-year-old is the 4-7 favourite to keep his undefeated record intact.
Murray is a 5-4 shot to win the bout by KO, while he is available at 100-30 for victory by way of judges’ decision. Mitchell is a 6-1 chance to take the bout by knockout, or 7-2 to win by decision.
Betfair’s Alex Bake said: “There’s a lot of pressure on Mitchell going into this fight. He needs to turn in a good performance to prove his defeat to Michael Katsidis last year was just a blip.
“But it will be tough against Murray, who’s in great form. When the fight’s over our customers expect Murray to be undefeated still.”
Murray v Mitchell – Betfair bet: 4-7 Murray, 9-5 Mitchell, 26-1 the draw
Method of victory – Betfair bet: 5-4 Murray KO, 100-30 Murray decision, 6-1 Mitchell KO, 7-2 Mitchell decision
WILLIAM HILL offering odds of 14/1 that Murray, Bellew, Burns and Gavin win by knockout
WILLIAM HILL are offering odds of 14/1 that ALL FOUR favourites in Saturday night’s big fights – John Murray, Frankie Gavin, Tony Bellew and Ricky Burns – knock out or stop their opponents. ‘None of these favourites is bigger than 13/8 to win by knockout, so fight fans look to be in for some explosive finishes’ said Hill’s spokesman Graham Sharpe.
WILLIAM HILL…….8/15 Murray; 33/1 draw; Mitchell 11/8. Murray on points – 13/5; by ko- 6/5; Mitchell – 16/5; 9/2.
1/66 Gavin; 40/1 draw; Woodhouse – 14/1. Gavin on points – 6/4; by ko – 1/ 2; Woodhouse – 28/1; 20/1.
1/ 4 Bellew; 33/1 draw; McKenzie – 11/4. Bellew pts – 7/2; ko- 8/15; McKenzie – 16/1; 16/5
1/6 Burns; 33/1 draw; Cook 7/2- Burns 10/11 pts; 13/8 –ko; Cook 11/2 – 10/1
Fury motivated to beat Chisora and take his titles
London (15th July 2011) RORY McIlroy has the golfing world at his feet and another 22-year-old Irishman, Tyson Fury believes he can do the same in the ring over the next 12 months.
Fury watched on with great admiration as McIlroy burned up the field before winning the US Open and now he is hoping to win back to back majors with glory at the Open Championship at Sandwich.
Manchester-born Fury challenges Dereck Chisora for the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles on July 23 at Wembley Arena and says this is the start of him becoming a major sporting star.
Fury said: “Rory McIlroy is an inspiration to every young sports man and woman and I’m no different. Rory brings a lot of charisma and natural talent to the golf course and I bring the same to the ring. The way he won the US Open was awesome.
“After the fall of Tiger Woods Rory came in and gave golf the lift it needed and now I plan to do the same. British boxing needs a new star, it needs a new heavyweight star to replace David Haye and I’m the man to bring a breath of fresh air to the division.
“Like Rory I want to show the world how good I am and that starts with victory over Chisora. The division needs someone like me, someone who can back up what he says in the ring.
“I know that Rory likes his boxing and I hope he can be at ringside for my fight with Chisora. I know he went to watch Haye’s awful performance against Wladimir Klitschko, well he should come to Wembley Arena and watch a real heavyweight ding dong.
“And I hope he is able to bring along the Open trophy with him to show it off, it would be great to see him win again.”