Sean Dodd v Joe Cordina: Masher can take the short price favourite to later rounds

Sean Dodd v Joe Cordina
Saturday, 22:00
Live on Sky Sports

Championship boxing comes from Cardiff's Ice Arena Wales on Saturday evening as Sky Sports bring us all the action from Sean Dodd v Joe Cordina for the vacant Commonwealth lightweight title. Undefeated local Cordina, taking part in only his eighth professional contest, enjoys the backing of bookmakers but in Dodd he'll face a man renowned for his love of causing an upset.

A mouth-watering clash of styles here, we have the polished boxing skills of Cordina who is tipped for the very top of the lightweight division against the rugged, all-action set-up of Dodd who pays little attention to records or reputation.

Odds suggest Masher will be outclassed

The 34-year-old Dodd travels to the Welsh capital with a record reading 15 wins against three defeats and a draw. Since making his professional debut with a fourth round TKO win over Scottish journeyman Giuseppe Daprato, Masher has driven himself into title contention with a host of impressive performances.

He has lost to Andy Townend for the central area belt at super featherweight, Scott Cardle for the British lightweight gong and, most recently, Tommy Coyle with the Commonwealth strap on the line.

Supporters of the popular Birkenhead warrior will take heart from surprise wins over the likes of Gary Buckland, Francesco Patera, Lee Appleyard and a stunning points decision against Thomas Stalker for the Commonwealth crown at the Echo Arena last summer. Dodd also secured an impressive draw with Cardle in a rematch after being stopped in the last round against the same opponent.

Despite losing only one of his last seven Dodd is a heavyweight 20.00 on the Betfair Exchange. Strangely, that's a bigger price than the draw at 18.00.

Heavy-handed Cordina in a rush

Joe Cordina is the decorated amateur making a splash in the paid ranks. The 26-year-old Cardiff orthodox boxer won a string of medals in the vest of Wales, including gold at the European Championships 2015 in Bulgaria and Commonwealth Games bronze at Glasgow 2014.

Turning over early in 2017 he has risen through the charts thanks to a run of knockout wins, beating six of his first seven opponents inside the distance.

The spare for Cordina - birth name Joseph Samuel - was a four-round points cheer vs Spaniard Lesther Cantillano last October, but he responded to halt Lee Connelly in four and Hakim Ben Ali inside three for the WBA International title on the undercard of Joshua - Parker last time. It's worth noting that was only the second time experienced Belgian Ali had been stopped.

There's not a lot to take from Cordina's price to win the fight with 1/33 on the Sportsbook but punters will get 1/4 about the KO/TKO result. We'll take the odds-against price that Dodd can take Cordina to the later rounds.