Boxing Betting: Busy weekend for Brits with three titles on the line

Fresh from landing a healthy profit last weekend on Callum Smith to beat George Groves, Betfair's Frankie Monkhouse looks at three more fights featuring British boxers...

Fight fans have a fantastic weekend of live pugilism ahead with two British boxers contesting world titles in America while two others aim to continue their rise to the top in a grudge match back home.

There's plenty of value to be had and Betfair make a worthwhile bet easy to find with loads of markets available on both the Sportsbook and Exchange. Read on as we break down the weekend's three best bouts.

Powerful Beterbiev will win it late

Callum Johnson v Artur Beterbiev
Saturday, 19:00
Live on Sky Sports

Starting at the Wintrust Arena, Chicago where undefeated light heavyweight Callum Johnson attempts to dethrone Russian born Canadian Artur Beterbiev in what promises to be a thrilling contest for the IBF world crown.

This is a step up in class for 33-year-old Johnson, but he hasn't put a foot wrong since making his professional debut with a second round TKO win over Phillip Townley in Glasgow on the undercard of Ricky Burns-Andreas Evensen. Since then the Lincolnshire man's 17-bout journey has seen him win both the British and Commonwealth titles, stopping Frank Buglioni in a round last time out.

Shortcut to the top

Beterbiev isn't the most experienced world champion on the circuit but his rise to the top has been a swift one due to his ferocious power. The 33-year-old has won each of his previous 12 starts by KO, getting rid of German Enrico Koelling in the final round to pick-up the vacant IBF belt in November of last year.

That fight was, by far, the longest a Beterbiev opponent has stayed on his feet with each of the 11 men before Koelling falling inside seven, most quite comfortably, too. The 5ft 11in orthodox Artur is an exciting fighter who gets fans out of their seats from the first bell, but will he have Johnson on his back?

Beterbiev's power will show in the end

We think so and although there's not a lot to shout about in the fight winner market - Beterbiev a 1.13 favourite against the 8.00 of his opponent, a rummage around the special markets will prove to be a worthwhile exercise. Those who think Johnson is good enough to hear the final bell will get 7/2 on the sportsbook, 1/6 the fight doesn't go the distance.

Johnson's good enough and wise enough to avoid being pulled into an early slugfest, his team much preferring to box through the opening rounds and build up a lead. They'll take it one round at a time but Beterbiev's power is special and he'll get through eventually. The champ in rounds 7-12 at 11/5 (Betfair Sportsbook) is the call.

Evens on Catterall worth a bet

Ohara Davies v Jack Catterall
Saturday, 21:00
Live on BT Sport

One for followers of the domestic scene as Ohara Davies (18-1-0) - only loss to Josh Taylor - takes on Jack Catterall (22-0-0) for the WBO Inter-Continental super lightweight title at the Leicester Arena, live on BT Sport.

The 26-year-old Londoner Davies has won each of his three comeback bouts since losing in seven to Taylor last summer and was seen chopping down Paul Kamanga in two rounds at the 02 Arena for a WBC International strap. That early win scooted 'Two Tanks' up through the ratings and if he can win again on Saturday he'll surely be given a shot at a major title.

Standing in his way is Chorley southpaw Jack Catterall who boasts a perfect 22-fight record and he has won 12 times by KO/TKO. He's an entertaining sort with bags of power but had to rely on the judges to get past Tyrone McKenna in Belfast four months ago, winning the WBO Inter-Continental 94-93, 94-93, 95-91 on the scorecards.

El Gato to get the win

Predicting the outcome of this one has split opinion during the build up and punters have Catterall as slight fav, 2.00 on the Exchange against the 2.12 of Davies. The draw is top price 24.00 and we wouldn't be in a rush to put anyone off a play at interest stakes on that.

Ohara Davies is a determined, ambitious fighter who brings power to the table, but he was out-boxed when in with Taylor and on Saturday he faces another man who is confident at distance. Jack Catterall is the winner of this for us and the 2.00 is enough to back as a single or used to good effect in your accas.

Do not oppose Roman at home

Gavin McDonnell v Daniel Roman
Sunday, 01:00
Live on Sky Sports

The final leg of Saturday night's boxing marathon and we're back stateside as Yorkshireman Gavin McDonnell jets in to face Californian Daniel Roman for the WBA super bantamweight world title. The fighting pride of Doncaster brings a 20-1-2 record across the Atlantic and he's unbeaten in four, since losing a majority decision to Rey Vargas last February for the WBC bauble.

Daniel Roman, 25-2-1, also goes in on the back of a winning run of form but fans have to go way back to October 2013 to find his last defeat. The 'Baby Faced Assassin' won 17-in-a-row after dropping an eight-round points decision to Juan Reyes in Ontario. It's fair to say he hasn't let defeat affect him. Roman was last spotted beating Moises Flores on points despite his opponent coming in heavy on the scales.

It doesn't pay to oppose Roman

It really doesn't pay to oppose Roman and, on his own patch, we're not going to risk it. McDonnell is a great fighter, somewhat undervalued by many in this country and, with a bit more luck, he could be reigning WBC champ. He's not however, and we're happy to take him on in the early hours of Sunday morning when the crowd will be against him, as well as a man desperate to hold onto his title.

Roman is favourite, as you might expect, 2/5 on the Betfair Sportsbook. Although that's tight it's actually better than I expected to find. Betting there you'll get McDonnell at 2/1 and there's nothing wrong with a small patriotic bet on a talented underdog. It's not for us however as our stake money rides on the American to win on points at 4/6 (Sportsbook). Another for accumulators.