Live Dogs??
Live Dogs??
In full understanding that close don't get you squat in the boxing-betting game, I think these three guys are 'live' dogs. Forced to choose, I would say that all three favs come through, but I do think that the lines are inflated, and certainly wouldn't go on the favs, or even include them in any parlays:
Sakio Bika (+650) - Ward calls himself the 'Son of God', and he's looked a lot like that in recent fights. He has lately seemed exceptional, near perfect in the ring. Still, I get the feeling that his plate is full tomorrow night. I can certainly see the scenario of Bika getting widely outboxed, much like the Bute fight. He was a handful for Calzaghe though, and has improved since. Bika is VERY strong. I can see him bulling his way in and making Ward uncomfortable. Ward is human, and he has been shaken and down in past fights. Every fighter gets unexpectedly tested, and I think this will happen with Bika. Gotta like Ward of course, but I would not be entirely shocked to see Bika knock him out.
Manuel Vargas (+925) - Segura has been a destroyer lately, and with the fight at fly he may be very strong tomorrow night. Still, Segura's only weakness is that he has been and can be outboxed. He has been in the past, and widely by Canchilla. He seems to have sorted that out, but I think the odds are discounting the fact that Vargas is a good fighter and boxer. Don't know why this isn't a title defense, as Vargas is certainly good enough for a shot? Vargas has only been overmatched against Nonito who was WAY too big for him, plus he he came in on a day's notice. It does seem that Vargas can be intimidated, and maybe Segura will just bull-rush and walk right through him. Fight is just 10 though, and I would not be overly shocked to see Vargas box a good fight and give Segura an unexpected go.
Ricardo Dominguez (+400) - Dominguez is still a young guy, and has shown considerable improvement. He recently went 12 solid rounds with Humberto Soto. I think Vazquez is a very good boxer, and deserving of his title, but maybe he is just a little flattered by recent victories over easily outboxed Prescott and Kim? The Prescott fight was very close remember and Breidis has since proven himself way overrated. Likely result is a 12 round decision for Vazquez, but I think Dominguez hangs with him.
