Dennis McCann v Ionut Baluta 2: Prediction, Tips & Odds

bet365's Rob Tebbutt examines the betting value ahead of an intriguing rematch between Dennis McCann and Ionut Baluta to be held at London's O2 Arena.

Dennis McCann v Ionut Baluta 2 Tips

Dennis McCann By Decision/ Technical Decision @ 4/6

Dennis McCann and Ionut Baluta meet again on Saturday night, just under a year on from an exhilarating Technical Draw in their first encounter.

McCann, a fast-rising super-bantamweight prospect, was considered by some to have been slightly fortunate to escape with his unbeaten record intact last August, but showed improvement last time out against Brad Strand in March of this year.

Baluta, on the other hand, hasn’t boxed since - and comes into Saturday’s return bout after the longest spell of inactivity in his career.

A fighter famed in domestic circles for fighting anyone at any time, the upset-minded Romanian has a deceptive 16-4-1 record, having fought stellar opposition, from the away corner, in much of those 21 contests.

Underdog wins against Andrew Cain, Brad Foster and TJ Doheny in recent years show what a threat the Romanian can be.

I do feel that McCann will have learned from the first encounter and Baluta’s lay-off will also favour the younger man, but I expect McCann to have to survive some hairy moments in there.

A price of 4/6 on McCann to win by Decision/Technical Decision is attractive, particularly when considering Baluta’s durability and experience, as well as McCann’s tendency to fade late on.

I’m expecting this to be a fight of two halves, with McCann dominating from range early before Baluta’s pressure starts to tell late on; so expect, as in the first fight, there to be some close rounds that are difficult to score.

Either fighter to win by Split Decision at 10/3 is a reasonable play if you’re finding it tough to split the two, while McCann is a huge 80/1 to win by Technical Decision which could come into play if the fight is stopped on cuts as it was first time around.

Dennis McCann v Ionut Baluta 2 Odds

(Odds will display when markets are available).

Rob Tebbutt

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