12 Jun 2019
James DeGale heads into Saturday night’s IBO super-middleweight showdown with Chris Eubank Jr. unfancied in the betting on Genting Casino.
A stellar career that includes an Olympic gold medal and two spells as a world super-middleweight champion appears to count for little amongst the punters as age takes its toll. DeGale’s position as the underdog comes as a surprise, but is perhaps an indication of the effect an 11-year career in the fight game can have; he’s 23/20 to win at the O2 this weekend.
Eubank Jr. on the other hand heads in to this Battle of Britain as the slight odds-on favourite at 4/5. While Eubank is the younger of the two men, he’s not enjoyed the type of career that DeGale has. And, it’s worth noting that Eubank was the favourite to beat George Groves when the pair fought this time last year, only to succumb to a points loss on the night. The draw is 14/1.
Eubank talks a good fight but has failed to live up to expectations. Attempts to step up in quality against the aforementioned George Groves and Billy Joe Saunders ended in sound defeats. So, DeGale to win at 23/20 might be worth a punt.
Many are questioning whether DeGale has enough left in the tank to win this one. But the 33-year-old has the experience and tools to pick off a points win here. DeGale is regarded as an intelligent boxer with the better jab and better footwork, so Chunky is likely to sit back and pick points off Eubank. DeGale to win on points is available at 6/4.
DeGale isn’t known for his knockouts and that’s seen in the betting, with a KO, TKO, DQ, TD victory available at 6/1.
Eubank appears to have been given the edge for this one because of his age. At four years younger and with fewer fights recorded, he’s not been involved in as many wars as DeGale has, so many are predicting he’ll have the energy to come out on top. Eubank’s work rate and pace are likely to trouble DeGale, particularly if the fight progresses into the later rounds. Odds of Eubank winning by KO, TKO, DQ, TD are much shorter at 2/1. Eubank to win in Round 8 is a 16/1 shot.
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