Our resident boxing tipster Rob Tebbutt looks ahead to this weekend's WBC featherweight title eliminator and highlights where he feels the betting value can be found.

So, the fight I am previewing this week is the WBC ‘interim’ featherweight bout between Brandon Figueroa (4/11) – the former super-bantamweight champion – and 2/1 shot Mark Magsayo, the former featherweight champion.

Personally speaking, I really like the odds-on favourite Figueroa and his all-action style. He likes to come forward and really let his shots go.

I think the work he carries out to Magsayo’s body will be key to this fight. We’ve seen Magsayo hurt previously, notably against Julio Cesar who really worked his body well.

The Filipino did actually beat Gary Russell Jr to claim the featherweight title, but, for me, that victory flattered him a little bit. Russell Jr went into that bout on the back of a period of inactivity and he was also carrying a shoulder injury.

In terms of how I feel this fight will go, well I firmly expect somebody to get knocked out! I really don’t expect it to go the full 12 rounds.

One of my tips is for the fight not to go the distance, which is priced up at Even-Money, but I really do like the look of Figueroa to get the job done in the second half of the fight, between ‘Rounds 7 – 12’, which is priced up at 3/1 with bet365.
 

Figueroa v Magsayo Fight Preview:

Ontario, California plays host to a potential '2023 Fight of the Year' contender this Saturday night, with a WBC featherweight world title opportunity on the line for the winner.

Shaun Brown previews the action

But, if you do fancy Magsayo, who is a big puncher, then the 9/2 on offer for a KO, TKO or Disqualification victory may have some pulling power.

The last time he faced a champion coming up from super-bantamweight was against Rey Vargas, and he did have him badly hurt and down on the canvas.

There is no doubt that Figueroa is going to go after him, and if you do that then you always run the risk of getting caught and being knocked out.

But for me, I am anticipating a great fight but one that Brandon Figueroa wins between ‘Rounds 7 – 12’, which at 3/1 carries real appeal.

View all odds and markets ahead of this weekend's fight

Odds displayed within this article were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.

Rob Tebbutt

• • 
  •