The international boxing calendar is still starting to pick up in 2017, but the Olympian in London, England is hosting a Poxson Sports promoted card this Saturday that is getting a lot of attention. The main event is for an IBO world title at super middleweight as Renold Quinlan faces Chris Eubank Jr. The IBO is considered a minor trinket, however, Eubank Jr. and his management team will try to parlay a win here into big money fights later this year. Eubank Jr. is one of England’s most recognizable fighters, as he is a second generation star whose former world champion father guides his career. Eubank Jr. is actually moving up to 168 pounds from middleweight, and he has been calling out some of the biggest names in the sport at both weight classes, including the likes of Andre Ward, Gennady Golovkin and Billy Joe Saunders just to name a few. For his part, the 11-1 Quinlan won the IBO belt back in October of last year when he stopped veteran Danny Geale in an all-Australian affair that the experienced former champion Geale was supposed to win. When last we saw heavyweight David Price (21-3) on the international scene, he was brutally knocked out by Erkan Tepper in July of 2015. Since then, the 6-foot-8 Price has dallied with the idea of retiring, but he went 2-0 in 2016, fighting a six-round and an eight-round bout. Christian Hammer is is stepping up to face a marginal contender. In his last outing this past October, he won a split decision over Tepper to put the first loss on the Turkish fighter’s resume and take home the WBO version of the European heavyweight title. Perhaps the most interesting fight on the card sees 20-1 Adam Etches facing 23-3 John Ryder for a vacant IBF International title at super middleweight. For Etches, this is a big step up in competition as the calendar year 2016 saw him log one eight-round fight total. The only loss of his career came in March of 2015 when he was stopped by Siarhei Khamitski for the IBF International title at middleweight, and his resume clearly does not have the same level of competition as the more seasoned Ryder. The full fight card in London features 10 fights, so check back closer to fight time for more odds. The Olympian – London, England Super Middleweight – 12 rounds Renold Quinlan +4000 o7½ +145 Chris Eubank Jr -12500 u7½ -185 Heavyweight Christian Hammer +220 David Price -280 Super Middleweight – 12 rounds Adam Etches +150 John Ryder -180 South Africa is also hosting a high-level light heavyweight match between local fighter Ryno Liebenberg and Germany’s Enrivo Koelling that is getting attention at the sports books. The card also features former minimumweight world champion Hekkie Budler (30-2) vying for a vacant minor world title with the IBO as he faces Joey Canoy (12-2-1). Check back later in the week to see in Budler’s fight turns up at the books as well. Emperors Palace – Gauteng, South Africa Light Heavyweight – 10 rounds Enrico Koelling +175 Ryno Leibenberg -210
Saturday’s Worldwide Boxing Odds & Betting Matchups (February 4, 2017)
