This weekend’s boxing action is dominated by the Wladimir Klitschko vs Kubrat Pulev World Heavyweight title bout in Germany, however as we close in on fight times, several other lines have popped up at the books for the perusal of our boxing enthusiasts. Generally unchanged is the line of (-670) on Klitschko, with Pulev coming back at (+485). None of the under-card bouts on this card are going to get a line at this point. The Dublin, Ireland fight card scheduled for tonight features the grudge match between Anthony Fitzgerald (+125) and Gary O’Sullivan (-145). Matthew Macklin is heavily favored at (-900) over Jorge Sebastian Heiland (+600). A new line for the Dublin card is available, as Khalid Yafai finds himself an enormous favorite (-4500) over Luke Wilton, who returns at (+1500). Look for more details on this, as currently the boxing sites have Yafai listed as facing Nicaraguan work horse Everth Briceno. What you need to know about this one is that Yafai is young at 25 and has a perfect (12-0) record, and Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing Promotion will find a suitable body that is unlikely to result in a tighter line. Also taking place tonight at the Plaza de Toros in Cancun, Mexico is a Super Featherweight bout between Cuban Yuriorkis Gamboa (-11000) and Mexican fighter Joel Montes de Oca (+3000). This is Gamboa’s return fight, as the former amateur phenom got beaten up by Terence Crawford in his last outing, but he is still wildly skilled and expected to be looking for a return to the big time. de Oca is (18-3) overall and has not lost in 3 years, but Gamboa should be out of his league. Hopefully the main event in Mexico will not be ignored at the books, as the event is headlined by the excellent woman’s WBC Light Welterweight Title bout between Argentinian Alejandra Marina Oliveras (31-2-2) who is the title holder, and Erica Anabella Farias (20-1). Farias had defended her Lightweight World title several times before losing it to Belgian Define Persoon last April. She has won a 6 rounder as a bounce back fight, and Farias is looking to add a world title in a second weight class to her resume. Oliveras for her part, has multiple world title reigns in different weight classes and is one of the elite women fighters out there. Should be a much more competitive line than the Gamboa offering. The Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas has Super Middleweight action as veteran Fulgencio Zuniga is the underdog at (+2000) when he faces undefeated (29-0) Gilberto Ramirez Sanchez, who is a big favorite at (-6000). This fight is all about the Mexican Sanchez, who is approaching the top 10 in a top heavy weight class that features aging veterans carl Froch, Felix Sturm, Robert Steiglitz and Arthur Abraham to name a few. At 23 years old, Sanchez is poised for bigger things. The fight airs on HBO Latino in the USA.
