Amir Khan’s odds to successfully defend his title have shortened again and the pugilistic prodigy from Bolton is now priced at 1/6 to defeat his opponent Dmitriy Salita. Political implications aside, many of us expect a very exciting bout that will be fought in the right spirit. I expect professionalism and sportsmanship to be on display here as both fighters know that this fight is a little bigger than both of them.
This is the first time in recent history that a Muslim boxer has faced off against a Jewish boxer for a world title and I think both fighters know that they need to transcend cultural differences and fight this bout in the right context. As stated above, I expect sportsmanship and mutual respect to be emphasized as opposed to the usual “I’m going to eat his children”-type statements you hear in the lead-up to most major bouts.
Salita carries a hefty 4/1 price for a victory by any means. Khan’s fights generally don’t go the distance and I don’t really expect this one to either. I think it will be a tough fight in the first two rounds for both boxers, but I think that Khan’s superior handspeed and counter-punching ability will prove the decisive factor. The draw isn’t exactly out of the question either and 33/1 is a massive price should this one be deadlocked come decision time.
Should the fight go to a decision, you can back Khan at 5/4 to win via points and Salita at 8/1 for a decision victory. The gulf between Khan’s outright odds and his odds on a points win more or less tell you the confidence that bookmakers have in him to end this fight early. His favoured rounds are 4-6 where he is priced at a slim 12/1. Rounds 3 and 7 are listed at 14/1 while 2 and 8 carry a price of 16/1. Rounds 1, 9 and 10 are priced at 20/1 while 11 and 12 will pay out at 25/1.
Salita is 66/1 to win in virtually every round of the fight.
1. English only, please.
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