bet365's boxing expert Rob Tebbutt looks ahead to this weekend's IBO welterweight world title showdown between Michael McKinson and Tulani Mbenge in London and tells us where the betting value can be found.
Michael McKinson squares off against Tulani Mbenge for the vacant IBO welterweight title in arguably the most well-matched fight of the weekend.
Southpaw McKinson has been on the rebuild since the sole defeat of his career at the hands of Vergil Ortiz Jr. back in August 2022, but faces his stiffest test since when he faces the rugged, hard-punching South African, Mbenge.
While this is a step below the truly elite at 147lbs, the lack of punching power from McKinson could prove to be his downfall here.
Mbenge will be marching forward all night and, while he may struggle to land flush on the slippery McKinson, his work-rate could well be enough to sway the judges.
In his highest profile bout to date back in December 2022, Mbenge was on the receiving end of a Majority Decision loss to another well-rounded operator, Souleymane Cisssokho, in a bout many observers felt he did enough to win.
He has fought just once since, which will be encouraging to McKinson backers.
McKinson showed plenty of bravery in his stoppage loss to Ortiz Jr., so I think he will find a way to navigate Mbenga’s power over twelve rounds, but he will need to be busy in order to rack up enough points on the back-foot to win.
I think this fight will be razor-close throughout and could be a tough one to score.
(Odds will display when markets are available).