Birmingham City vs Middlesbrough: Betting Preview

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs Middlesbrough

Blues – 7/4

Draw – 2/1

Brentford – 7/4

Championship football returns this weekend as Birmingham City welcome Middlesbrough to St Andrew’s on Saturday afternoon. Garry Monk’s side are currently eighth in the table, four points behind the playoff spots and a win here could be pivotal.

The Blues were held to a goalless draw by Brentford in their last home fixture but plenty of punters will be backing Birmingham to bounce back here. 7/4 for Monk’s men to claim yet another victory at St Andrew’s is worth considering.

 

Birmingham’s home form under Monk has been solid on the whole. The Blues have lost just one of their last 18 Championship matches at St Andrew’s and fans will be quietly confident ahead of this encounter.

With that record in mind, 888sport users may consider the 4/9 for Birmingham to win OR draw this weekend. The Blues are heading in the right direction under Monk and another positive result here could give Birmingham a boost in the playoff race.

Meanwhile, Boro are still fifth despite winning just two of their previous five league games. Tony Pulis will be asking for more of the same from the visitors after their 5-0 victory over Peterborough in the FA Cup.

Middlesbrough snatched a 1-0 victory in this fixture last season and visiting fans may fancy the 7/4 for an away win. Stopping Birmingham from scoring will be difficult though – the Blues have scored in nine home games so far this campaign.

Once again, Che Adams and Lukas Jutkiewicz will lead the line for BCFC this weekend. Both players have enjoyed solid campaigns thus far and Birmingham fans will expect big things in this clash. 49/20 for an anytime goal is a solid price for both Blues stars.

This is a hard one to call. Birmingham have been excellent at home this season and it would be foolish to ignore that. Opting for the Blues to avoid defeat is the way to go here – it isn’t an exciting tip but it is certainly worth sticking in your 888sport Championship accumulator.

Prediction: Birmingham 2-1 Middlesbrough (19/2)

Bet of the day: Blues to win OR draw (4/9)

Outside punt: Lukas Jutkiewicz to score (49/20)

 

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

January 11, 2019
Alex McMahon Sport
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Alex is a sports betting tipster, specialising in Premier League football, the Champions League and horse racing.

He loves placing a weekly accumulator on the football at the weekend and dreams of landing the big winner that will take him back to Las Vegas.

As well as writing sports betting tips for 888sport since 2015, Alex has produced content for several international media companies, such as Goal.com and The SPORTBible. 
 

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David May EXCLUSIVE: Give Ole Gunnar Solskjaer The Permanent Job!

Former Manchester United defender and MUTV pundit David May has given Ole Gunner Solskjaer a huge vote of confidence after the Norwegian’s recent instalment as interim boss at Old Trafford.

“If you look at the teams United have played you’d expect any manager to come in and win those games. But Ole has done an unbelievable job, he really has.

"He’s transformed somewhere that was all doom and gloom into a dressing room that you can see is now enjoying their football.”

In fact, so impressed has May been that he’d very much be in favour of his ex-team mate being given the job on a permanent basis.

“Personally I’d love to see Ole get the job. I’ve known him for twenty years and I know that he loves the club so much. He also knows what the club is all about.People go on about his record down at Cardiff but no disrespect to them but we’re talking about two very different teams and very different clubs. United is a massive job, of course it is, but if you don’t give him a chance you won’t know where he might get them to. He’s got them playing the right way and getting results so why not?”

Solskjaer of course was brought in following the sacking of Jose Mourinho last month, a seemingly inevitable parting of the ways that finally ended a miserable period for the Reds that saw them plummet beyond the top six in the Premier League.

May doesn’t hold back in his condemnation of the Portuguese coach’s behaviour but equally is keen to look forward, rather than back.

Towards the end it was all about Jose and what he had done in the past. It was all about his records. Manchester United managers have never done that and can you even imagine Sir Alex Ferguson walking down the touchline and holding up three fingers?

"It should all be about Man United and getting the right results. It’s not about managers or an individual. It’s about the club and the team.”

“But Jose has gone now. United are playing good, attacking football and everyone is enjoying themselves. It’s as if everybody’s game has risen fifteen per cent since Ole has come in.

"That can only be Ole’s influence and how he is. A cloud has been lifted off the stadium and people are happy and jovial. It’s great to see.”

One player who has certainly benefited from Mourinho’s departure is Paul Pogba who has looked reborn in recent weeks.

What can we expect from the uber-talented midfielder now that his problematic and fractious relationship with his temperamental gaffer is over?

“He should be running games now and stamping his authority on them and I think in the last few games we’re starting to see a different side to him.

"He’s allowed to go forward and get in the box; he’s creating chances and scoring goals. He could be the best in the Premier League in the next couple of seasons certainly.”

Further forward another potentially world class star has been given a new lease of life under the encouragement of Solskjaer, scoring twice for good measure. May – a Champions League winner for the club back in 1999 - is clearly delighted.

“Marcus Rashford, over the last five games, has been phenomenal. Absolutely phenomenal. As much as he’s got great speed and technical ability he’s also started to lead the line better.

"He links the game very well and plays in the channels and it’s a nightmare to play against those type of players especially if they have pace like Marcus has.

"He has been transformed over the last five games. Over the next ten years he’s going to be an unbelievable player. You know that now, you can see it.”

United have unquestionably rediscovered their feel-good factor of late yet concerns persist at the back with a defence that has long struggled for consistency in form, fitness and personnel.

May emphasises the importance for the new regime to settle on an established centre-back pairing and, in his learned opinion, one man stands out as an automatic pick. 

“This season Victor (Lindelof) has matured and now I’d say he is Man United’s best centre-half. Phil Jones too has a great chance to establish himself as one of Ole’s first choice pairing.

"Especially now that Bailly is out for three games after his stupidity at getting sent off when we were 4-1 up – what’s going through his mind there? I still think Bailly can be very naïve at times. So it’s Jones or Smalling to partner Victor for me.”

Even so, the need for the Mancunian giants to seriously invest in a significant upgrade on their present options is obvious to one and all.

Indeed so clear is their need the 48 year old believes they should take a leaf out of their rivals’ books and secure the services of Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly – to use a prominent example from the gossip columns – regardless of cost.

If you look at United over the last god knows how many years they’ve always gone out and broke transfer records if need be. They did with Rio, Di Maria, Pogba, Lukaku.

"They allegedly pay Sanchez half a million a week. If you want the best players then you have to pay top money for them. City do it. Liverpool did it with Van Dijk and just look at the transformation.

"They spent seventy million on a goalkeeper which is a hell of a lot of money but what that gets you back is guaranteed Champions League football and the possibility of winning the Premier League.”

“Considering the amount of money United earn then to spend £100m on a defender….so what? Real Madrid will spend it. Barca will. Chelsea and City will. If it guarantees you a much better defence then go ahead and spend it.”

For now though Spurs await this weekend, a game that May insists is the first real test of his friend’s short tenure in charge of the multiple champions. It’s a game he claims will be won or lost in midfield, with Pogba’s performance against Dele Alli key.

“It will be a hell of a battle with Eriksen in there too but United are on the up, won five on the bounce, and they’re full of confidence. It will be a really interesting match to see how far United have come from Jose to Ole.”

 

David May's Quickfire Questions

Score prediction for Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United?

2-2.

First Goalscorer?

Marcus Rashford.

Who Will Win The Premier League?

Manchester City. I can’t say Liverpool.

Who Will Win The Champions League?

Juventus.

January 9, 2019
888sport
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The 888sport blog is here to offer betting and tipping advice on the biggest sports fixtures, events and competitions around the world.

Glossary of Boxing terms

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

A

Accidental Butt -  A headbutt, which takes place unintentionally. When heads of both the fighters collide and the referee decided that it is no one's fault, so warned both the fighters to be careful ahead, but no penalties implemented.

Accidental Headbutt - This refers to an anti-boxing strike, often done spontaneously. A targeted hit with the head typically involves the use of head's robust parts on an opponent that can cause severe injuries and result at the end of the bout.

Alphabet Groups - This term describes the several boxing associations such as WBA, IBF, WBC, WBO that rules and manage the sports. These governing bodies (Alphabet Groups) are responsible for many activities, events, rules, and regulations in this sport.

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Amateur - Refers to an unprofessional boxer who doesn't get paid straightforwardly for boxing in the ring and thus cannot be titled or compete. Amateur takes boxing, as an activity for pleasure rather than for monetary benefit or professional reasons.    

Amateur Boxing - Amateur boxing is carried out at the collegiate level by amateur associations of boxing. This boxing round remains short and it is compulsory for boxers to wear headgear and gloves. Its scoring is based on point-scoring blows instead of physical power impacts.

B

Bantamweight - In boxing, a bout is often scheduled for a fixed weight class and weight of every participating boxer must not go beyond the upper limit. Bantamweight lies midway between a flyweight and a featherweight, usually has the weight range 52 kilograms to 53.5 kilograms.     

Barnstormer -  This is a term used for a boxer who normally travels from one region to another, competing in fights, frequently against neighbouring heroes, and earn minimum but normal pay every day.

Be First - Refers to an action where the fighter's trainer tells them to throw their punches more aggressively before an opponent. The coach used "be first" to enhance the inner power of fighter. It simply refers to the action of being more strong and powerful.

Beard - This term usually refers to fighter's capacity to absorb a punch on chin or jaw. In case, boxer take a punch well, it refers they have a good beard or else called as a glass jaw or poor beard.

Beat the Count - Beat the Count refers to fighter's ability to get back in position to fight after being knocked down by an opponent within the count of 10. It shows the abilities and eagerness of a fighter to win the bout.

Below the Belt - Below the belt describes hitting an opponent in the nether parts. All the body parts lie underneath the line of the opponent's navel such as the genital area, legs, and crotch are known as below the belt. The boxing rules recommend that fighters cannot strike below the belt, hold, kick, headbutt, wrestle, bite, and spit on the opponent. Hitting below the belt often consider illegal, cruel, and extremely offensive in boxing.

Bleeder - Bleeder refers to a boxer who bleeds easily by a small cut. These fighters have the tendency to bleed in large amount. Boxing is always cruel and bleeders of boxing tend to be chosen by temperament, not by choice.

Block - A defensive move made by the fighter to block or guard the punches coming from the opponent. Punch Blocking can be done by arms, elbows, hands or wrists.  

Blow - Hard hit with a hand is called Blow. Fighter's hard blow to the body part can make difficult for the opponent to breathe easily. It is not allowed to strike a hard blow on the head because that can put the opponent in the unconscious state.

Blow by Blow - Blow-by-blow is a description containing every minute details and deeds of an event. It describes the detail illustration of an origin, reference, players, conditions, criteria, goals, and end of a boxing match.

Bob and Weave - Quick body movements up and down and from side to side to evade an opponent in the ring are referred to as Bob and weave. It includes leaning and rotating with the top while altering the location of the upper body. It is a vague approach by a boxer.

Body Punches - This term refers to punches that land underneath the opponent's neck but remain on top of the belt. Body punches are a remarkable shot that can give high pain and make it difficult for an opponent to continue the fight.

Body Shot - It is a strong punch, generally known as a hook or uppercut in boxing. Body Shot is used in opening up defences and setting up headshots. This punch if delivered on the liver area can be extremely painful, and capable to knock out opponent completely before the end of the match.

Bolo Punch - The low-level swing hit with a whip action is called Bolo punch. It is a blend of a hook and an uppercut. The punch starts below the waist and never hits higher than the upper stomach. It begins below the waist and aims the face, neck, or groin of the opponent. It is more often used as a distraction. Kid Gavilan was one of the renowned professional bolo punchers who use this advanced technique perfectly to defeat his opponent.

Bout - This term is used for the boxing match. It is a time period in which the fight takes place and fighters aim to score most of the points. The bout can't stop until the hurt boxer is not capable to continue.

Boxer's Handshake - It is a protocol of boxing where boxers greet each other by touching knuckles. It's not important whether they are wearing gloves or not, touching gloves ahead of the opening bell is a part of boxing.

Brawler - Someone who can throw combination punches frequently, have a comfortable offensive stance and usually depend on dodging punches rather than being defensive. Brawler has fast reflexes and great balancing ability to punch powerfully from any angle.

Breadbasket - This is a boxing slang used for indicating the surrounding area of the stomach or abdominal. More often Breadbasket refers to the sweet spot underneath the navel and on top of the genital part.

Break - This term is used by the Referee when he wants to hold the action for a while and separate the boxers. It is also called as a defensive move by referee where he separates two fighters in a clinch.

C

Canvas - The floor in the boxing ring is referred to as Canvas. Floors of boxing rings are conventionally made from Canvas, however, these days ring flooring is also of vinyl.    

Card - Describes the schedule of any boxing event or tournament that lists fights and matches. A card list-up all the matches taking place in a particular event. It has all the main matches and an under-card listing of the tournament.

Catchweight - Nonstandard weight limit in professional boxing is referred to as Catchweight. It comes into the limelight when both boxers are from different weight classes. It is a weigh-in taken before a day prior to the fight for matching the level of both the fighters in the ring according to their weight.

Caught Cold - This is a term used in reference to a fighter who has knocked out very early due to the improper warm up or mental instability. It describes boxer gets hurt in just an opening round or stops early in the fight.

Challenger - Refers to a boxer who fights with a champion for winning the championship title. They use the professional's skills to turn the odds against their favour. They are a real competitor to win the fight unanimously.

Champion  - A fighter who has a notable win over other competitors and keeps winning afterwards is called a Champion. Regardless of the opponent in front of them, the champion always remains positive in their abilities and finds a way to win.

Check Hook - Also known as the step-back hook, it is employed as a counter to a progressive opponent. Oftentimes, aggressive opponents moving can be difficult to deal with. If you met such an opponent, it is extremely easy to revert to a protective shell and move away to the ropes where you are vulnerable to being cornered. The check hook is an effectual method to counter this situation. Its secret lays in the footwork i.e. the quicker and more volatile your step back is, the check hook become more strong.

Chief Second - A person chose by the boxer to provide advice and assistance during the bout, usually, the coach or trainer is referred to as the Chief Second. He is accountable for the demeanour of the assistant seconds.

Chin - Fighter's capability to endure physical pain to the chin without being knocked down or unconscious during a fight. The strong chin can be only possible through neck-strengthening exercises and strong willpower.

Clinch - A technique used to break the momentum of an opponent. It permits boxers to close the distance and opens up chances to land within throws or strikes to the opponent. This is a momentary match state, promptly dissipated by the referee.

Clinching - A move used by a fighter to grab an opponent for trapping his arms so that he cannot use them against him. A long-drawn-out clinch can be broken by the referee and can lead to disqualification.

Combination - Series of punches strike to the opponent. It includes the combination of different types of punches into a series to put the opponent in difficult condition. These punches are difficult to execute in the ring.

Contender - This term refers to a skilled opponent who can challenge the world title by raising his playing techniques continuously. Contender has a little different meaning than a competitor, often implying highly energetic boxer who can take on every unpredicted challenge.

Corkscrew Punch - A punch thrown in a twisting movement that often causes cuts are known as Corkscrew Punch. This punch appears like a variant of the Jab with a 180° rotation. It is thrown with the elbow out and the twisting wrist's movement.

Corner - The corners are the diagonally opposite angles of a boxing ring where fighters take rest between the bout. Usually, three men rest in the corner along with the boxer that includes the trainer, the assistant trainer, and the cut-man.

Corner Man / Cornerman - Coach or a colleague who support, assists and guide a boxer during a match is known as a "Cornerman". The Corner Man stays in close proximity to the fighting area, has permission to be there in a fighter's corner and helps the fighter by providing advice, assistance and instructions to them between every round and throughout a boxing match. The cornerman can also "throw in the towel" if required during a match.     

Count - This term describes the tolling of the seconds of the clock by the referee when a fighter is down on the canvas. When a player is knocked down in a match, the referee often counts over them and the player must rise on their feet, without any help, by the last count or else judged to be knocked out.

Counter Punch / Counterpunch - This is a punch hit in response or comes back as an answer to a nasty move. Counterpunch is thrown quickly after the opponent misses his own punch. To deliver it, a fighter must have accurate timing, skill, and great ring intellect. Counterpunching is a style developed on the basis of hitting back where boxers use their razor-sharp responses to utilize an open gap. It is a proficiently timed punch generally comes in response or in anticipation of the opposite fighter. The boxer often tries to block or dodge the attacker's punch and then hit the new gap in the guard. Counterpunching can lead to severe damage if the opponent doesn't have good reflexes or isn't quick enough to maintain defence and balance.

Cover Up - Referring to a defensive technique used by boxers to protect against the opponent's punches. Boxers usually hold up their hands and forearms to cover up the opponent's attack on their unprotected part of the body.

Cross - Powerful punch straight on the opponent face with the rear hand. It is usually thrown from the guard position below the chin, crossing the body towards the opponent in a straight line.  

Cruiserweight - A weight class also known as a junior heavyweight is less recognized weight division in boxing. The maximum weight for this class is 200 pounds (90.9 kg), lies usually between light heavyweight and heavyweight. The WBC first recognized this class on 8th December 1979 for the match between Marvin Camel and Mate Parlov. Evander Holyfield, Carlos De León, Johnny Nelson, and Marco Huck are some of the best cruiserweight boxers of all time.    

Cut Man / Cutman - Someone who is accountable for curing and treating physical damages to a boxer at some point in between match's round break. To be a Cutman, a person should have years of experience, training, and self-control. The Cut Man has the responsibility of checking the boxer physical condition throughout all the stops between all the rounds of a boxing match. The Cutman is also the person responsible to cure swelling, nose bleeding and any other cuts the fighter can get during the fight.     

D

Disqualification - When a match is stopped in short of knockout due to violating rules or repetitive foul made by any fighter, it leads to disqualification. The disqualified fighter eventually loses the bout and the opponent win the match.

Dive - Refers to a pretended knockout made by a boxer or called as a planned move. Dive takes place when one boxer purposely falls down for the count or to be knocked out. Simply it is an intentional way to lose the bout.

Down and Out - This term refers to a fighter who has knocked out by an opponent. There are several time rounds take place during the whole match and in each round, the boxer tries to punch their opponent in order to knock him out quickly. When a fighter received a hard hit on the head that makes him imbalance and knocked down on the floor or even put in the condition of unconsciousness it can be referred to as being down and out.

Down for the Count - This term is used when the opponent on canvas has knocked down a boxer and he is failed to rise on his feet before the count of 10 by a referee, thus losing the match.

Draw - A result occurred when both the fighters tie or have the equal number of points from the judges scoring the match. However, the draw is rare in professional boxing due to the scoring system in place.

Duck - Refers to a movement where boxers move from side to side to save himself from opponent's punches. When a fighter drops his weight down to avoid a punch from the opponent is called a duck.

E

Eight Count - This is a rule in which the referee gives a count of eight seconds to the fighter who has been knocked down by the opponent. The referee usually checks the condition of a boxer during the count of eight seconds and then observes whether he should continue the fight or not.

Enswell - This term given to a metal piece or hard compress used for reducing swelling occurred on the face of the fighter. The cutman uses the enswell directly on the cut above the boxer's eye and tries to diminish the swelling and stop the bleeding instantly.

F

Faded - This term refers to a boxer who is not performing well in the matches or has a poor performance recently.

Fall Through the Ropes - This is a phrase used when a fighter is knocked out of the ring, within the ropes or not and the referee gives a count of twenty to raise boxer on his feet without any support and begin fighting. If the fighter is unable to resume, he is considered knocked out.

Featherweight - Refers to a weight class that lies midway between bantamweight and lightweight category. The boxer must weigh between 118 to 126 pounds (54 to 57 kg) in this category. Some of the best and legendary boxers of all the time such as Willie Pep, Henry Armstrong, Sandy Saddler, Abe Attell, George Dixon, Young Griffo, and Terry McGovern, set a great benchmark for many generations to compete in the featherweight class in the history of the sport.

Feint - A false punch or any nasty movement utilizes by a boxer with the intention of diverting the opponent's mind and makes a real attack. For example, a boxer usually acts as if it is looking to hit the body, however, he instead hits his head.

Flash Knockdown - When the boxer knocked down on the canvas but recovers promptly within a minute of starting referee's count is called as Flash Knockdown state. It usually takes place when a boxer become imbalance or get off guard.

Flyweight - The Flyweight class boxer must weigh between 49 kg (108 lb) to 51 kg (112 lb). This is a longtime noticeable weight class in boxing which have some big names on the chart. Sid Smith was the first flyweight champion announced by the British Boxing Board of Control in 1911. Recent notable flyweight boxers include some big names such as WBA - Artem Dalakian, WBC - Charlie Edwards, IBF - Moruti Mthalane and WBO - Kosei Tanaka.

Foul / Fouls - Breaking any rules and regulations in boxing will be considered as a foul or fouls. It can result as a warning, a deduction of points or even result as a disqualification by the jury if committed purposely. It counts and affects scoring directly and decided by the referee on the basis of its severity.

Fringe Contender - This term refers to a low-rated competitor on the top of the world rankings. It is more like a journeymen fighter who has excellent experience in all sorts of boxing techniques but couldn't prove his abilities on big contests.

G

Gate - The total money earned through selling tickets on-site is referred to as the gate. It is the amount of money collected through the sale of tickets from the boxing venue.

Gatekeeper - One of the professional fighters who can't be a title contender but considered a trial for upcoming fighters appearing as contenders. Gatekeepers remain furious, a hostile slugger who guarded the gate with high tenacity.

Get Off - This term refers to the ability of a boxer to “let his hands go” or throw uninhibited to build up an efficient offensive attack.

Glass Chin / Glass Jaw - A term that describes the inability of a boxer to take up blows to the jaw or chin. If the jaw or the chin of the boxer are extremely fragile or vulnerable to punches even to a light blow or too low intensity punches it means that the boxer can't take a punch. It’s a major disadvantage, but the likes of Amir Khan and Wladimir Klitschko have coped up with this condition which didn't prevent them to become champions in spite of hypothetically having weak mandibles.

Gloves - Gloves are hand-protecting guard wear by fighters on their hands during boxing matches and practices. They are specially designed to guard the hands of fighter and make them able to fight comfortably with the opponent.

Go the Distance - When boxer fights a complete bout without being knocked out, it is referred to as Go the distance. Its a capability of a fighter to finish all rounds without being numb or unconscious and get a match decision either in favour or not.

Go to the Body - A nasty strategy used by a fighter that has the main focus on attacking the abdominal part of an opponent instead of focusing on the head as a main target of fighter.

Go to the Cards / Go to the Scorecards - Describes a decision taken by the judges in case the fight has completed and no boxer has won via a knockout. The decision of the winner is based on the score valuation of each round and the boxer who is at the forefront of the scorecards wins the match by technical decision.   

Governing Body - Group of people which has the right to implement governance in boxing is termed as Governing Body. They are responsible for governing, developing, and controlling boxing in clubs and competition. They handle complete administration.

H

Haymaker - A wild swinging punch strike with the complete body weight in an effort to knock out an opponent. Haymakers are used in boxing as a last chance with the aim of breaking an opponent's jaw and winning the fight instantly.

Head Butt / Headbutt  - Attack with the head as the boxer intentionally or unintentionally uses his head to impose damage on the opponent. The attack involves the use of the powerful parts of the head butter to make a severe impact on the opponent is referred to as Headbutt. It is mostly used to strike the nose of an opponent and can be used as opposing the opponent’s punch.

Heavyweight  - The heaviest competitive weight class in professional boxing that requires the boxer's weight to be more than 175 pounds (79.4 kg). Muhammad Ali is known as the number one HEAVYWEIGHT champion of all time, however, some other legendary boxer in this category includes John L. Sullivan, James Corbett, Bob Fitzsimmons, and James Jeffries.

Hitting on the Break - Hitting on the break takes place when a referee try to dissolve clinching between both the fighter and instead of stepping back they are hitting opponents. This is a breach of the boxing rules and can consider a foul.     

Hometown Decision - This is a decision made by the judges in favour of hometown boxer is called Hometown decision. Boxers fighting in or near his hometown get every favour by the judging officials to make him win or draw a match.

Hook - A semi-circular power punch thrown by the front hand to the side of the challenger's head. The boxer usually uses his front or leading hand by bringing his elbow up and moving his body in a circular motion to punch the opponent.  

I

Infighting / Inside Fighting / Inside Fighter - Hitting punches closely to each other is called as Infighting, Inside Fighter or Inside Fighting. It is a form of boxing, which shows a fighter response to overpower his opponent's blow by applying steady pressure. This happens when a boxer is likely to get closer to the opponent and overpower him with his extremely powerful punches. Inside fighter is also known as swarmers, in-fighters, or crowders that have an excellent chin, great power and strong punches.

J

Jab - Quick punch that begins from the chin and hits the target directly is called Jab. It is the most effective strike in boxer's arsenal. The jab can hit, push, divert, make a gap, or even provide protection against deadliest punches of the opponent.     

Journeyman - Someone who has almost no hope of winning his fights typically said to be a journeyman. They have solid boxing skills and capability to take up the punishment but have some limitations, which make them suitable for the job of a journeyman.

Judges - An unbiased arbitrator who do scoring and decides the result of a fight. There are three judges chosen by an athletic commission in boxing. They count the points on the basis of connected punches, defence, knockdowns, and other scoring factors.

Junior Heavyweight - A weight division in boxing that has a weight limit of 200 pounds (14 stone 4 pounds / 90.7 kg). It is also known as a cruiserweight. Its range lies between light heavyweight and heavyweight.    

K

Kidney Punch - A powerful punch to the back part of the opponent's body usually in the proximity of kidney. It is a body punch that can cause severe internal injury and not permitted under the rules of boxing.

Kissed the Canvas - This term indicates that the fighter is knocked down by hitting face first in the ring. It is said that fighter's aim can't be completed without making opponent kisses the canvas.

Knockdown - When a fighter falls on the canvas due to a blow from the opponent. The boxer is considered knockdown when his one part of the body other than his feet is on the ground.

Knockout - Refers to the end of a fight. When a boxer falls on the ground due to the opponent's attack and fails to get back on his feet within the count given by the referee, this state is called a knockout.   

L

Lacing - Lacing is are the shoestrings usually fixed within the wrists of the gloves that are rubbed onto opponent's eye to damage them severely. This act is done with clear intention to hurt an opponent so that he can't resume the fight. Rubbing the lacing of the gloves across the opponents' eyes. Rubbing your gloves onto your opponents eye to make it even more damaged.

Lead Right - An alternative hit used in place of a lead jab. Lead Right hit is difficult to execute, as it has to cover the distance from a fighter's body to the landing position. Mayweather is possibly unmatched when it comes to landing a lead right hand.

Light Flyweight - The weight range at light flyweight class in professional boxing is 108 pounds (49 kilograms). On March 13, 1993, the first light flyweight, fight happen, where Michael Carbajal, the IBF champion won against Humberto González WBC champion.

Light Heavyweight - Under the light-heavyweight division, fighters must weigh between168 pounds (76 kg) to 175 pounds (79 kg). This division comes in between super middleweight and cruiserweight. George Gardner was the most thrilling fighter, known as the first undisputed Light - Heavyweight Champion of the World. Some other legendary names in this class are Bernard Hopkins, Tommy Loughran, Billy Conn, Joey Maxim, and Zsolt Erdei. Now Dmitry Bivol, Oleksandr Gvozdyk, Artur Beterbiev, and Eleider Álvarez hold the title WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO accordingly.

Lightweight - Under the lightweight boxing weight class, there is the "light-lightweight class - that have boxers weighing between 130 and 135 pounds. Lightweight boxing champions by the organization, as recognized by four of the better-known sanctioning organizations: The World Boxing Association (WBA), The World Boxing Council (WBC), The International Boxing Federation (IBF) and The World Boxing Organization (WBO). Some of the top boxers in the lightweight division are Roberto Duran, Benny Leonard, Joe Gans, Pernell Whitaker, and Ike Williams.

Lineal Champion - Someone who is considered the best in his weight division. They are well-trained, skilled, and professional boxers, for example, Mayweather is a Lineal Champion as he considers best in the welterweight class.

Liver Punch - Powerful hit to the right side of the ribcage that damages the liver badly is termed as the liver punch or a liver shot. With the right punch, the liver structure can be impaired. It is considered as a dreadful shot that can incapacitate an opponent.

Low Blow - An illegal punch in boxing that hit below the waist of an opponent. When low blow takes place, the opponent gets extra 5 minutes to prepare himself for resuming fight again. A boxer using this shot could be warned, face point’s deduction or even disqualification based on the severity of the blow.

M

Main Event - The most familiar or main fight event on a card. It is generally a title-match event that focuses mostly on prestigious matches on the list and has great promotion strategies behind.

Majority Decision / Majority Draw - When match results announce to be a draw based on the majority. When two of the three judges agree to announce one winner, but the third judge disagrees and indicates it as a draw that means that no fighter won the match. This is a result of a fight that comes on the basis of the Judge's majority. When two of three judges decide on a draw, while a third judge gives a clear victory to one fighter, in such case fight will end with a conclusion of the draw as the majority of the judges scored a draw.

Manager - A manager is a mentor, guide, or advisor for a fighter. He is a person who manages or deals the Championships/tournaments of the boxer. He works as a bargaining agent and takes care of the boxer’s career.

Mandatory Defense - Mandatory defence is carried out when a winner defends his title against a competitor that is dictated by the authorizing body in professional boxing. Winner must face this mandatory challenger assigned by the sanctioning body to defend his title.

Mandatory Eight Count - Counting up to eight seconds given by a referee to a fallen fighter following a knocked down. It is helpful to know whether the fighter is able to continue the fight or not. This is a mandatory procedure to be followed for all bouts.

Mauler - This term describes a boxer who beat the opponent harshly. Most often, these boxers like to fight wildly inside the ring and win the bout in any condition. Mauler tries to use roughhouse tactics to reverse the efficacy of an opponent.

Memorial Ten Count  - A ringing of the bell ten times before the start of the boxing match refers to Memorial ten count. It is also known as a ten bell salute in honour of a fallen fighter. During the memorial ten counts, there is always a moment of silence.

Middleweight - The weight of a middleweight class boxer must lies between 154 lb (70 kg) to 160 lb (73 kg). It is a second weight class in boxing which is considered as the ideal blend of power, pace, and skills. Carlos Monzon, Harry Greb, Marvin Hagler, and Freddie Steele are some of the legendary middleweight boxers.

Minimumweight / Mini Flyweight - Minimum weight also known as mini flyweight is a weight division that needs boxer weight less than 105 pounds, which is equal to 48 kg. Some of the renowned minimumweight boxing champions are Kyung-Yun Lee - IBF, Hiroki Ioka - WBC, Leo Gamez - WBA, and Rafael Torres - WBO.

Mouse - A small injury or a bump on boxer’s face. This usually goes away in a few days. It is typically a swelling on forehead caused by minor bleeding or blood clot.

N

Neutral Corner - Two corners of the ring, which can't be used by the fighters between rounds is referred to be Neutral Corner. These are the two diagonally opposite corners where a boxer is instructed to rest after knocking down his opponent, while the referee started his 10-count.

No Decision - This term describes the fight that ends without any result. A fight that doesn't end with either a winner or loser is a condition of No decision. This bout is usually not counted as part of the certified fight record.

O

On the Ropes - A risky condition for a fighter where their backs are leaning against the ropes in a ring and have no space to get away from their opponent. This is a susceptible position for a knockdown to take place. In this condition, boxers nearly collapse to get defeated. It shows the condition of a losing boxer who is drop down by his opponent against the ropes that mark the boxing ring's sides.

Orthodox - It refers to a boxer position, fighting with a right hand that means his left foot remains in front, and he punches with his left hand. In orthodox stance, boxer uses the powerful and dominant right hand to attack the opponent.

Outside Fighter - Also known as out-boxer or out-fighters are those who choose to fight from the outside, usually from long-range. They maintain a gap from the opponent and fight with faster and long-range blows. Outside fighter remains extremely quick on their feet.

Overhand - It is a curved and vertical punch hit with the rear hand also known as overcut or drop. It is typically used when the opponent is moving up and down or slipping. The strategic value of this punch relies on body weight that can carry out a great deal of power.

P

Palooka - This is a conventional boxing term use to describe Inexperienced or unskilled boxer. Palooka is considered as a second-rate fighter who is not having enough capability to win a fight. They can be easily defeated due to the lack of competency.

Parry - Technique for blocking the opponent's punches by setting up a better counter move. Boxers deflect opponent's power elsewhere by parrying move and make him off balanced and susceptible. Parry will be more effective with the opponent over commitment into his punches.

Paw - When boxers do not completely commit to a punch and throw it with no actual aim to land, but more like checking the waters, referred to as “pawing.”

Peek a Boo - It is a technique to protect the head and body from redundant punishment. Boxers need to hold their hand high in front of their faces that provide protection from punches while still permitting them to peek out at their opponents.

Play Possum - Refers to an act of showing hurt and tired in an attempt to get a challenger to come at you. This attempt is used to tempt the opponent in a careless manner and take advantage of it.

Plodder - A slow-footed boxer without agility is referred to as Plodder. They walk doggedly and slowly with the intense steps, often look nervous, but their move remains steady without showing much enthusiasm to an opponent.

Point Deduction - It refers to the deduction of points due to a committed foul. The boxing rules vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and the boxer who doesn't follow the rules can either result in disqualification or point deduction by the referee.

Pound for Pound - This term is used in boxing to grade fighters based on their excellence, regardless of their weight. Pound for Pound depict the overall skills and capabilities of a fighter and pick the best among others no matter what weight class the fighter belongs to.

Pound for Pound Title - Ranking for finding the superior fighters relative to their size and weight class is referred to as Pound for Pound tile. The comparison is done on different criteria including skills, quality of opposition and knockout wins to find out who the better fighter is.

Power Punches - Any blow which is not a job and usually hit using the main hand, while the opponent direct with the reverse hand. Power Punches includes a hook, cross, or uppercut. This term refers in punch info as the CompuBox.

Prizefighter - It refers to boxers who fight to win money. A prizefighter enters in the ring for a living. All boxers usually fight for monetary incentives regardless of how they may be overestimated as the World champion. They always show extreme willingness for fighting even under unwanted conditions. These fighters show extreme ability with their punches and skill to win the fight in the prevailing state. Their humility or warrior spirits never let you down at any event.

Promoter - Any company or a person who is responsible for promoting a fighting event everywhere in the world. Promoter's responsibilities include sorting and managing a complete fight card, selling tickets for the event, promoting events on different media etc.

Pull - This is a defensive technique where a boxer bends away from or pulls back to escape from being hit. The pull defence is extremely effective boxing technique that covered a variety of punches.

Pull Ones Punches - Pull one's punches refers pulling back during a boxing punch just earlier than the complete force of a punch is felt. It also refers to deliver strikes that are deliberately ineffective, as boxers do not use their full strength.

Pull Your Punches - This term describes a state when fighters do not hit the opponent as hard as they can. Pull Your Punches simply means holding back from doing what you really think is appropriate in that situation.

Punch - The attacking move to score points is called Punch. It is an action when a fighter or a boxer throws his front hand by turning the muscles and forwarding his arm towards opponent’s jaw. The main punches include the jab, hook, uppercut, and cross.

Punch Drunk - This term describes the condition of a boxer when he faces continuous hit by an opponent that makes his disorientation look exactly like being drunk. It is due to the repeated blows to the head that causes unsteadiness, hand vibration, slow muscular movement, and exhausted.

Punch Out - It is a slang used for a fighter who show off and taunts his opponent but unable to embrace his own in the real boxing competition. A fighter should always keep their guard up while breaking the punches out.

Puncher’s Chance - Someone who might consider outclassed but still have the capability to knock out an opponent with one powerful punch is referred to as Puncher's Chance. These fighters always have a chance to beat an opponent based on their power.

Purse - Charges paid to the fighter for a fight referred to as Purse. It is also called as per-fight-salaries that depict the money given or paid to the fighters by the organizer or tournament/competition promoter.

Q

Queensberry Rules - Marquess of Queensberry rules are the set of rules and regulation introduced publically to get follow in modern boxing. These rules are related to what should be allowed and disallowed in the boxing matches. The rules are regarding about standing in the ring, misconducts, time duration, boxing gloves sizes, and restrictions. John Graham Chambers a Welsh sportsman originally wrote them; however, they are named on the 9th Marquess of Queensberry who endorsed the code in public.

Queer Street - It refers to the condition of a boxer, who is stunned after getting smacks on the head but does not collapse and still on his feet to keep fighting. Wobbly legs and a glazed look are something the fighters feel during Queer Street moment.

R

Rabbit Punch - Strike to the rear of the neck is called Rabbit punch. It is an illegal punch in boxing which has the capacity to kill an opponent. Boxers who blow this punch get a penalty on the basis of punch's intent and the resulting injury.

Rabbit Punched - Rabbit punch refers to the back of the head or to the base of the skull hit that can cause severe injury to the cervical vertebrae and later the spinal cord. It is one of the most harmful blows in professional boxing.

Ring Generalship - This term is used when a boxer dictates the fight completely that means he is imposing above than opponent's action. A boxer demonstrates clean punches, good techniques, and moves ahead in a controlled manner be referred to as Ring Generalship.

Ringside - The place just outside a ring that offers a close view of the contest refers to Ringside. It will be right next to the boxing ring or place in the front row that means the seating immediately nearby the boxing ring. Everything you require to make an impressive entry to the ring can locate at Ringside! VIP audience and official scorekeepers or judges to score a bout are usually sit ringside at events.

Roll with the Punches - This term describes boxer's ability to take up the impact of the opponent's punch comfortably. Rolling with the punches is one of the defensive options in boxing. It shows the strength of boxer to cope with and endure difficulties by showing flexible moves. It is a way to reduce the incoming punches impact of the opponent. In boxing, the defence is equally important as the attack. When a boxer develops a skill to defend themselves from being hit hard, they can win the fight easily.

Rope a Dope - It is a tactic used by a boxer to look weak for convincing the opponent to attack and get into a trap. Boxers maintain a suspicious posture on the ropes in an effort to outlast or exhaust the opponent.

Ropes - An enclosure of boxing rings. There are usually four ropes enclosed tied around the four edges of the boxing square which are connected to five-foot poles with a turnbuckle in each corner.

Roughhousing - This term describes violent or rough lively play by the fighter. It is a way of treating opponent in a boisterously rough manner. When a challenger uses illegal offensive tactics that is extremely physical and aggressive is considered as “roughhouse tactic.”

Rounds - It refers to the time duration in a boxing match to compete against each other. Most often, rounds are a clock for three minutes long with a one-minute halt in between. The number of rounds frequently varies as per the matches.

Rubber Match - It is known as the final and deciding match between the two opponents who already won a bout against each other. Rubber Match is usually the third bout in a series that gives a final result of the match.

S

Sanctioning Body - Group of the members that gives authorization for a boxing match to take place is considered as Sanctioning Body. This authority approves fights and decides the rules and regulation for any bout fought under. This group usually organizes world title bouts.

Saved by the Bell - This term describes a situation when the bell rings unexpectedly indicating the end of a round and saving the boxer from being counted off by the referee. When the bell rings before the referee's count, the round will be over, but the match is still on and the fighter gets a chance to go back to his corner and recover for the subsequent round.

Scar Tissue - Scar tissue usually arises above and under the eyes of a fighter due to the previous cuts on a similar spot. When these cuts did not heal properly, the scar tissue grows and frequently swells the skin. It becomes difficult for a fighter to face cuts in the future.

Second - In boxing, a coach or trainer who assists a boxer during a fight refers to a second or the cornerman. They are prohibited to train and must remain outside the fighting area during the round. During the break, they are allowed to go into the ring and assist to their fighter.

Seconds Out - A referee usually uses this term to clear the corner men (known as seconds) from the ring so the fight can proceed further. Seconds Out is an instruction for a corner man to leave the ring and alert for a boxer to be ready for a fight.

ShiftingThe step of walking into another position as a punch is being thrown. Simply means the act of walking with a punch sooner than sliding with it. In this technique, boxers change their lead foot and shift weight to add more power in delivering a punch.

Shoe Shine - This term is used when a fighter does a combination, involving a series of uppercut or body rips repetitively. It highlights purely a speed. Shoeshine combinations are often hit with inappropriate punching technique, however, prompt speed sometimes workout effectively.

Shopworn - It refers to a boxer who is slowly getting out of form after a long career. This fighter has taken enough punishment and suffered major pain since long, but now slowing down as per the performance in his whole career.

Shoulder Roll - It refers to a defensive move where fighters repel a punch by rolling their shoulders away from it. The shoulder roll move is quite efficient in counteracting whole combinations without much effort. This move is purely based on the timing.

Slip - It is a technique of moving head either side to avoid the strike of the opponent. Moving the head either side slip the punches of the boxer. It is similar like bobbing and considered as a defensive strategy like blocking, holding and clinching.

Southpaw - Left-handed boxer stance is referred to as Southpaw. In this position, the fighter has his right hand and right foot onward, leading with right punches, and next with a left cross right hook.

Southpaws - A left-handed boxer who put his right hand and right foot ahead, leading with right punches, subsequent with a left cross right hook referred to as Southpaws. They are usually avoided against right-handed boxers due to their abnormal stance.

Spar - This term is used for light boxing sessions. It is basically used for training where the boxer punches with much lesser pressure than the actual fight. These light blow exchanges are done with padded gloves and headgear in the gym for practice and training.

Spit Bucket - Refers to the container used by the corner for carrying their supplies like ice. It is mainly used between rounds for the boxer in order to spit surplus water so that the fighter doesn’t ingest too much throughout the bout period.

Split Decision - This term refers to a winning decisive factor in which two of the three judges are in favour of one fighter, while the third judge does not support it. A split decision formally witnessed as a win in a fight record of a boxer.

Split Decision Draw - Winning the round is more often based on counting "scoring punches", however, when one of the judges keep counting the bout for one boxer, the next judge keep the count for the other and the third judge keeps count it as a draw then its known as Split Decision Draw.

Stablemate - This term is used for fighters who are trained at the same gym and under the guidance of the same promoter. However, it doesn't mean they both use same skills, technique, and power to fight against the opponent.

Standing Eight Count - Standing Eight Count also called as a protection count is a term used when the referee stops a fight and gives a boxer eight counts who looks badly injured but still not knocked down. The referee usually judges the condition of boxer whether he is capable to continue the fight or not.

Stick and Move - It is a technique when a boxer moves around the ring and fight only at the extended range. The boxers make use of jabs or long-range punches and then promptly steps back to escape from an opponent's attack. It needs quick and illusory footwork. In Stick and Move technique, fighter blow one or two punches at a time then instantly move from the position to avoid return attack from the opponent.

Stylist - This term is given to a boxer who uses different techniques and skill to tackle an opponent rather than just focusing on physical power during a match. Stylist boxer can heave hooks, jabs, uppercuts and heave them in combinations.

Sucker Punch - It refers to a punch delivered deliberately without giving warning or time to an opponent for preparation. Sucker punch is considered unfair and unethical in professional boxing. The fighter can be thrown out of the boxing league for using it after the end of the round.

Super Bantamweight - In a professional boxing event, the weight range between 118 pounds (54 kg) to 122 pounds (55 kg) is categorized as Super bantamweight class. Some of the prominent fighters at this category include Wayne McCullough, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Scott Quigg, and Israel Vázquez.

Super Featherweight - Super featherweight also called as a junior lightweight in professional boxing. This weight class boxer must have a weigh between 126 pounds (57 kg) and 130 pounds (59 kg). Some of the renowned fighters in this category are Johnny Dundee, Mike Ballerino, Tod Morgan and Harold Gomes.

Super Flyweight - It is also known as junior bantamweight or light bantamweight in professional boxing. Super flyweight fighters weigh between 112 pounds (51 kg) to 115 pounds (52 kg). Johnny Tapia, Khaosai Galaxy, Gilberto Roman, Jiro Watanabe, and Masamori Tokuyama has some terrific fighters in this weight division.

Super Lightweight - It is a weight division among 17 weight classes categorized in professional boxing. The super lightweight boxer must not have to weigh more than 140 pounds (63.5 kg). This division boxer is likely having great boxing skills, including speed and power.

Super Middleweight - Professional boxing is divided into classes according to the weight of boxer and super middleweight class lies between the middleweight and light heavyweight. In this class, boxers must weigh over 160 pounds (73 kg) and equal to 168 pounds (76 kg).

Super Welterweight - Professional fights are organized on the basis of fighter's weight class, Super welterweight falls in the range of 147 pounds (66.7 kg) to 154 pounds (69.9 kg). For all world and national title contest, weight limits are strictly observed. Tony Harrison, Jarrett Hurd, Brian Carlos Castano, and Jaime Munguia are world's known super welterweight boxers.

Sweet Science - British sportswriter Pierce Ega introduces this term in boxing in 1813. Boxing signifies symbols for life, packed with fight loss and won. The Sweet Science refers to the expression that expresses the movement, command, and elegance of the boxing.

T

Take a Dive - When boxers purposely losing a competition in order to get a special gain. The boxer was paid funds to take a dive at the competition. It is illegal and against the contract of boxing that can lead to suspension from whole competition or tournament.

Technical Decision - When the fight cannot continue for any reason other than a Knocked out or Disqualification, but the necessary number of rounds have been fought for the match to be determined upon the scorecard of judges is referred to as Technical decision.

Technical Draw - A technical draw is a result of a match, which take place due to the inability of fighter to carry on from an accidental injury or foul and fight needs to stop early even the scores are level.

Technical Knockout - The end of a boxing match when a fighter is not able to continue the fight due to injuries such as cuts to the face, or exhaustion refers to Technical Knockout. Anytime a match is stopped without the referee, counting to ten due to actions that take place legally, it is a technical knockout. If a fighter does not succeed to answer a bell for the subsequent round then this will also consider as TKO.

Third Man in the Ring - A referee who stands inside the boxing ring and takes decisions about the game is called Third Man in the ring. Their job is to ensure that the rules are practical and obeyed by the boxers inside the ring.

Throw in the Towel - A metaphor to admit defeat. It is usually a way to surrender in front of the opponent. When a fighter is suffering a continuous hit and his corner would like to discontinue the fight they usually throw in the towel to point out their surrendering. In this way, the fighter accepts his defeat and don't want to continue the fight. It is an indication of stopping the fight instantly.

Toe to Toe - When two fighters stand strongly in front of each other in order to fight, argue, or exchange punches directly, it is considered as Toe to Toe. Many fighters in the ring are always willing to go toe-to-toe with any opponent.

Tomato Can - Fighters who are terribly outmatched by their opponents is referred to Tomato Can. They are beaten quite easily due to the poor fighting skills and technique that makes them an easy target for the opponent to defeat.

Trial Horse - A fighter who has decent but not excellent skills to win boxing matches is referred to as Trial Horse. They want to maximize in class after more than 10 fights. These boxers generally fight in 8 or 10 rounders.

U

Unanimous Decision - When all the three judges agree on a clear winner. They score the fight with the same boxer winning the competition. A boxer main aim is to have a clean and recognized win, therefore, winning by unanimous decision.

Undercard - The series of fights listed before the main event. It is the list of fewer significant bouts on the identical bill as a core-boxing match. Many fighters trained themselves on the undercard of the most predictable boxing match.

Uppercut - A swinging attack directed upward, as to the opponent's chin is called Uppercut. It is the most devastating straight up punch, hit with the leading hand. It causes more damage when strikes at close range to the chin or to the solar plexus. The punch generally begins from the attacker's belly, making an upward motion that reminds you of a plagiarize hook in shape, before hitting on the face or body of the opponent.

Upstart - An upcoming fighter with great potential. It often admired as an excellent amateur beginning his pro career. Debutant player having good skill and technique is known as an upstart boxer who later shook the world with his achievements.

W

Walkout Bout - Walkout Bout is a fight scheduled after the end of the main event. It is a low caliber fight, usually have a four-round bout played at the finish of the event, and after people leave the stadium.

Warning - This term describes an alert given by the referee to the boxer in case of fouls. Three cautions are issued before given a warning. Once the referee specified a warning then the ringside judges will make a decision about giving points. The warned opponent might lose that bout or disqualify from the fight.

Weigh in - Measuring the weight of boxers is called weigh in. It usually performs the day before the fight. The boxers need to stand on the scales barefoot and without any accessories, which helps in finding out the actual weight class to perform.

Weight Classes - This term refers to the weight range divisions defined for the boxers to ensure fair fights. Dividing up into weight classes decreases the number of lopsided wins and the capability of boxers to pick on minor opponents.

Welterweight - Refers to a weight class in which fighters must weigh between 140 and 147 pounds. This body weight lies between lightweight and middleweight. Mayweather ended his astonishing career as the lineal welterweight champion who remains undefeated until his retirement.

White Collar Boxing - Refers to boxing in which boxers in white-collar professions instruct to fight at unique events. They have no earlier boxing ring experience, just learning skill and techniques for participating in a specially organized event. 

January 9, 2019
888sport
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The 888sport blog is here to offer betting and tipping advice on the biggest sports fixtures, events and competitions around the world.

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Carabao Cup 2018/19: Semi-Finals First Leg Betting Tips And Odds

And then there were four. The race to advance to the Carabao Cup final is well and truly on; with three of England’s biggest clubs featuring in the semi-finals of the competition. Punters will be keeping a close eye on both semi-finals this week…

A London derby between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea kicks things off. The hosts will be quietly confident of putting Maurizio Sarri’s men to the sword. It should be a Tuesday night thriller under the famous Wembley Stadium floodlights.

The second semi-final sees Premier League champions Manchester City host Championship outfit Burton Albion. Pep Guardiola’s side put seven goals past Rotherham United in the FA Cup on Sunday and another convincing win beckons.

Without further ado, let’s get down to the Carabao Cup best bets. Our EFL Cup double pays out at over 3/1 and punters can get involved in 888sport football bet odds.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR vs Chelsea

Despite losing to Arsenal at the start of the month, Spurs had a solid December. The north London side secured a spot in the Champions League knockout stages and kept pace with Liverpool and Manchester City in the title race.

Throw in a first away win at the Emirates Stadium since 2010 and you’ve got a pretty good run of results. Maurizio Pochettino will have his troops fired up for this clash and 59/50 may turn out to be a huge price for a home win.

Chelsea are no slouches though and the Blues will be quietly confident of notching a positive result in the first leg. Sarri’s side have kept three clean sheets in a row for the first time this season and the visitors will attempt to stifle Spurs.

Stopping the Tottenham attack completely is almost impossible but Chelsea could frustrate the hosts. Given Spurs’ history of falling short on the big stage, 4/6 for the visitors to avoid defeat is worth considering.

Both teams to score has landed in six of the last seven meetings and 4/7 is a great price. The onus will be on Spurs to gain an advantage ahead of the second leg though and that could swing things in their favour.

TIP: Tottenham to win @ 59/50

PREDICTED SCORE: Tottenham 2-1 Chelsea (Priced at 8/1 with 888sport)

 

MANCHESTER CITY vs Burton Albion

The defending Premier League champions were simply sublime against Rotherham last time out and another heavy win looks likely here. This could get ugly for Burton if Guardiola gives his side the green light to go for the throat.

At 10/11, four or more City goals is well worth considering. The hosts will want to put the tie to bed on Wednesday evening and it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see Pep’s men run up a cricket score.

Burton have done incredibly well to get this far but their journey may come to an end. Just scoring a goal at the Etihad Stadium would be a shock and the Brewers fans will be hoping for at least one big opportunity.

888sport punters can back Burton at 19/10 to score on Wednesday night. Creating chances at the Etihad will not be easy but the Championship side will be looking to make the most of set-pieces.

The 7/10 available for over 1.5 first half goals should be snapped up. An early goal could see the floodgates open and it is hard to see Burton’s resistance standing firm until the second half. Watch this space, City could put on a show.

TIP: Over 3.5 Man City goals @ 10/11

PREDICTED SCORE: Man City 5-0 Burton (Priced at 15/2 with 888sport)

 

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

January 8, 2019
Alex McMahon Sport
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Alex is a sports betting tipster, specialising in Premier League football, the Champions League and horse racing.

He loves placing a weekly accumulator on the football at the weekend and dreams of landing the big winner that will take him back to Las Vegas.

As well as writing sports betting tips for 888sport since 2015, Alex has produced content for several international media companies, such as Goal.com and The SPORTBible. 
 

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Horse Racing Betting: Cheltenham Festival 2019 Outlook

With the Cheltenham Festival now visible on the horizon, it’s a good time to analyse some of those pointers we gleaned from over the Christmas period and pick out a few early horse racing betting tips.

 

Arkle Chase (Tuesday 12th March)

Le Richebourg put himself right into the Arkle picture with victory in the Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown.

The JP McManus-owned six-year-old brushed aside Us And Them to score by four and a half lengths. Voix Du Reve was third, with the strong favourite, Mengli Khan only fourth.

His young trainer, Joseph O’Brien said: O'Brien said: "Mark (Walsh) gave him a lovely ride and he jumped very well. The last day he ran a cracker, but I think the tempo of a two-mile race probably suited him better.

"He was good over hurdles, but probably disappointed us slightly and since he's gone over fences he's been very good.

"The obvious thing to do would be to come back here for the Dublin Racing Festival. More than likely he's an Arkle horse."

Le Richebourg gets a 7/1 quote from us for the Arkle Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

If you are looking for something else in the Arkle and longer odds then Chesterfield could well be your selection.

Trained by Seamus Mullins, the Grade Two-winning hurdler has taken well to the larger obstacles but has had a slight setback.

Mullins said: "Chesterfield gave himself a little bang after his last race at Kempton. He has not missed much work as such, but he has been on the easy list.

"We wanted to aim him back at the Lightning Novices' Chase at Doncaster, but he has only started coming back cantering so he probably won't make it back for that, so we will look at something early in February.

"The aim is still the Arkle - he will have an entry in the Grand Annual, although I'm not as keen on that.

"I'd love to have a crack at the Arkle as I was fourth in it before with Farmer Jack.

"This horse deserves to have a crack in something like the Arkle."

If you think Chesterfield is a possible dark horse for the Arkle Chase then odds of 33/1 are available in our ante-post Arkle market.

 

JLT Novice Chase (Thursday 14th March)

A whole host of horses with JLT aspirations ran over the festive period, and none more recent than Master Dino who won at Plumpton on Sunday.

Trained in France by Guillaume Macaire, the French raider certainly put his Cheltenham Festival credentials on the line with a convincing win in Plumpton’s Novice Chase, and also put himself in line for an extra £60,000 bonus should he win any of the races at The Festival.

Speaking after the race, Macaire said: “The ground is rarely deep at Cheltenham, so this experience will be very useful - because he's shown he's able to follow a good pace but also has stamina.

"He stays, and was not tired at all after the race - which is a good sign."

Master Dino will head to Sandown next for the Scilly Isles Chase before heading to Cheltenham, where we make him a 6/1 shot to land the JLT.

Perhaps you were more impressed by the battling victory of Lostintranslation in the Dipper Chase on New Year’s Day and rate his chances better for the JLT?

Defi Du Seuil looked to have the Tizzard-trained horse’s measure when moving into the lead between the final two fences, but Lostintranslation showed plenty of resolve and dug deep to pull the race out of the bag and deny the J.P McManus owned runner.

Naturally we were impressed by both those horses in the Dipper Chase and make Lostintranslation 7/1 and Defi Du Seuil 12/1 for the March feature.

The talented mare, La Bague Au Roi, took the Kauto Star Novice’s Chase on Boxing Day at Kempton and we make her a 10/1 chance to win the JLT.

However, just a word of caution from her trainer Warren Greatrex, who was quoted as saying: "She will probably have entries for Cheltenham, but she is more likely after Ireland to head to Aintree, as I think she is better on a flat track."

 

The Gold Cup (Friday 15th March)

The King George VI Chase on Boxing Day well and truly threw a spanner into the works and completely blew open the Gold Cup ante-post market.

By default Presenting Percy, who has yet to be seen on a racecourse this season, became the new favourite for the race courtesy of his reputation from last season.

Putting himself in prime contention for the Gold Cup was the King George victor himself, Clan Des Obeaux.

The six-year-old saw off previous winner Thistlecrack in a tremendous tussle down the home straight, with reigning Gold Cup champion Native River a remote third.

Clan Des Obeaux, who is part owned by Sir Alex Ferguson, was naturally trimmed in our ante-post market for the Gold Cup and if you believe he can take the blue-riband event in March he is currently available at 7/1.

Another horse that burst onto the Gold Cup scene over the recent holiday period was the Willie Mullins-trained Kemboy.

The six-year-old demolished the field in the Grade One Savills Chase at Leopardstown, taking up the running with a circuit to go and leading his rivals a merry dance.

Mullins said after the race: "When Kemboy flew to the front passing the stands I thought David had gone mad, but he rides by instinct and he knew what he was doing.

"I thought Kemboy would capsize in the back straight but David said he had an easy enough lead. The horse jumped very well and still had plenty in the tank going to the last. I loved the way he flew clear on the run-in.

"He's obviously an improving horse as this was his biggest test to date. He hadn't run since winning the Clonmel Oil Chase in the middle of last month and it could be that a good break between races suits him.

"With that in mind we might wait and go straight for the Gold Cup, we'll wait and see. Hopefully he'll continue to improve."

Kemboy is currently trading with us at 8/1.

 

Early Ante Post Selections:

Arkle Chase – Le Richebourg (win @ 7/1), Chesterfield (e/w @ 33/1).

JLT Novice Chase – Lostintranslation (win @ 7/1).

Gold Cup – Kemboy (win @ 8/1)

 

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

January 7, 2019
Steve Mullington
  • ">
  • Body

    Steven is a sports and horse racing enthusiast and is a member of the Horseracing Writers and Photographers Association (HWPA) in the United Kingdom.

    He is a regular visitor to Paris Longchamp for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and a lifelong fan of the Aintree Grand National, a subject he writes about 52 weeks of the year. Last year he reached the impressive milestone of attending the last 30 renewals of the Grand National.

    Steven graduated from the University Of Lancaster in 1996 with a B.A (Hons) in Urban Policy & Race Relations (major) with Contemporary Religions & Belief Systems (minor) and still wonders if any of these help him find the winners?

    He writes for a number of websites and online publications and you can sometimes hear him at the weekend discussing racing on a number of local radio stations. 

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    Spotlight On The 2019 Tolworth Hurdle

    The Tolworth Hurdle is a good marker to some of the novice events at the Cheltenham Festival and has often been a stepping stone to greater things over the years.

    The contest is run at Sandown Park over a distance of 2 miles and 110 yards with a generous first prize of almost £30,000. The race was abandoned in 2009 & 2010 and in 2014 was rescheduled to Kempton.

    Recent winners of the Tolworth Hurdle include Summerville Boy, Finian’s Oscar, and Yorkhill and if you search through the archives you will even find the name of Desert Orchid listed.

    Nicky Henderson and Paul Nicholls have pretty much ruled the roost in recent years, with Nicholls winning the race on four occasions since 2000, while Henderson has saddled the winner four times in the last eight years.

    Without further ado, let’s get down to the big race and horse racing bets this weekend.

     

    • Nicky Henderson is the most successful trainer in the history of the Tolworth Hurdle and has recorded five victories - New York Rainbow (1992), Minella Class (2011), Captain Conan (2012), Royal Boy (2014) and L'Ami Serge (2015).
    • Five of the last ten winners were officially rated 135 or higher.
    • Six of the last ten winners have come from the top three in the betting with five favourites coming home first in that period.
    • Eight of the last ten winners have either been aged five or six.
    • Eight of the last ten winners had won their last race prior to running in the Tolworth
    • Nine of the last ten winners had at least had one win over hurdles already.

     

    Guide To Main Fancies

    Rathill (N. Henderson)

    The son of Getaway could not have been more impressive in beating his nineteen rivals with consummate ease at Newbury last time out.

    The J.P McManus owned six-year-old has been backed this week like defeat is out of the question and he should be on the premises again.

     

    Exilir De Nutz (C. Tizzard)

    The Terry Warner-owned grey has been successful on his last two outings at Cheltenham, one of which was a well contested Grade 2 race.

    The form of his last win has worked out particularly well as the runner-up that day, Jarveys Plate, has since scored with ease in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle over the Christmas period.

    There is no reason why the 140 rated five-year-old should not be in the thick of things again on Saturday afternoon.

     

    Grand Sancy (P. Nicholls)

    It’s now 11 years since the Ditcheat handler last won the Tolworth Hurdle and his best chance looks to be with the five-year-old Grand Sancy.

    The gelding has already raced five times this season but keeps maintaining a high level of form. Grand Sancy landed a listed novice at Haydock and then followed it up by placing fourth in the Betfair Exchange Trophy at Ascot.

    Overall he sets a decent benchmark and the others will need to be on their absolute A-game or else this lad will cash in.

     

    Southfield Stone (P. Nicholls)

    Paul Nicholls’ second entry Southfield Stone is a horse on an upward curve and won with plenty in hand last time.

    This race however will be his toughest yet and is a far cry from Taunton where he has won a bumper and two novice hurdles this season.

     

    Bright Forecast (B. Pauling)

    The Ben Pauling-trained Bright Forecast will make it a hat-trick of win this term if he takes the Tolworth all in his stride.

    The five-year-old, who carries the colours of the late Nick Embiricos, was the winner of a decent Newbury hurdle then followed that up by scoring in the Tap 'N' Shower Novices' Hurdle at Leicester when going off the 11/8 favourite, making all the running.

     

    Espirit Du Large (E. Williams)

    The Mr and Mrs Rucker owned five-year-old ran out an impressive eleven-length winner of a maiden hurdle at Uttoxeter in December, showing a great turn of foot.

    Somewhat of an unknown quantity in this but Williams and The Rucker’s have been landing quite a few winners together recently.

     

    Muratello (N. Twiston-Davies)

    The Munir/Souede French import Muratello was in the process of running a big race at Haydock Park last Sunday when the race was abruptly stopped and was declared void in the home straight.

    Prior to coming over to the UK, the five-year-old had some decent form at Auteuil and could be somewhat of a dark horse in the betting.

     

    SUMMARY

    Nicky Henderson originally had four horses entered up for this contest but the likelihood of that quartet all crossing swords looks extremely unlikely and he will probably have just one sole runner on the actual day.

    That runner looks highly likely to be Rathill and he will be seeking to provide Henderson with his sixth victory in the Tolworth Hurdle.

    At an each-way price it may be worth siding with the Nigel Twiston-Davies trained Muratello. Many pundits who were in attendance at Haydock last week (including myself) believe this horse would have won and was also going to clock up a reasonable time in doing so.

    888sport suggests: Muratello e/w.

     

    *Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

    January 4, 2019
    Steve Mullington
  • ">
  • Body

    Steven is a sports and horse racing enthusiast and is a member of the Horseracing Writers and Photographers Association (HWPA) in the United Kingdom.

    He is a regular visitor to Paris Longchamp for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and a lifelong fan of the Aintree Grand National, a subject he writes about 52 weeks of the year. Last year he reached the impressive milestone of attending the last 30 renewals of the Grand National.

    Steven graduated from the University Of Lancaster in 1996 with a B.A (Hons) in Urban Policy & Race Relations (major) with Contemporary Religions & Belief Systems (minor) and still wonders if any of these help him find the winners?

    He writes for a number of websites and online publications and you can sometimes hear him at the weekend discussing racing on a number of local radio stations. 

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    Premier League: Fulham Top New Year's Day Treble

    The way the days have fallen means New Year’s Day is not quite the footballing bonanza we expect.

    There are just three Premier League matches this time, partly because there were four matches on 30th December.

    It’s a schedule that could impact all areas of the table, however.

    There’s a marginal title contender in Spurs, a top four contestant in Arsenal and two of the stronger mid-table teams battling for best of the rest.

    And, of course, we have Cardiff and Fulham, who are scrapping for every point they can get to avoid the drop.

    EVERTON vs LEICESTER CITY

    Everton’s festive period has been about as Everton as it gets. A loss to Spurs was followed by a thumping of Burnley, then they disappointed away to Brighton.

    Marco Silva’s results are yet to meet the optimism at Goodison Park, though the football has been far easier on the eye than the drab displays under Sam Allardyce last season.

    Leicester have matched that inconsistency. Wins against Chelsea and Manchester City released the pressure on Claude Puel, only for it to pile back on when the Foxes lost at home to Cardiff on Saturday.

    Puel’s side played well on the afternoon, but a James Maddison penalty miss and a wonderstrike saw them lose their eighth game of the campaign and relinquish seventh spot.

    Split by just one point in the congested mid-table, this is an intriguing matchup between two good, if unpredictable, sides. There’s talent aplenty, but both sides have shown vulnerability this campaign.

    Everton come into this on the back of three consecutive disappointing results at Goodison. Leicester will be desperate to bounceback after the shock defeat to Cardiff.

    Goals are always good value with Silva’s teams, and 19/20 on over 2.5 looks the best bet in this one.

    TIP: Over 2.5 goals @ 19/20

    PREDICTED SCORE: Everton 2-2 Leicester (Priced at 12/1 with 888sport)

     

    Arsenal vs FULHAM

    Arsenal reverted to the Arsene Wenger years with their 5-1 defeat to Liverpool on Saturday evening. Misfortune and a comedy of errors combined for a nightmare match for Unai Emery, which leaves them five points behind Chelsea.

    Injuries to the defence have forced Emery to change system and put square pegs in round holes. The former Sevilla manager may opt to make significant changes again for this one.

    Claudio Ranieri was fuming with the penalty fiasco against Huddersfield on Saturday, but the Italian’s anger was calmed by Aleksandar Mitrovic’s dramatic late winner.

    Fulham are 18th at the moment, despite not losing in their last three matches. The defence is notably more solid under Ranieri, but the attack has suffered as a result.

    Mitrovic will fancy his chances against this Arsenal defence – Ranieri may name Ryan Sessegnon in the starting line-up to give his main man additional support.

    Arsenal have won their last three at the Emirates. Fulham have the worst away record in the league, having picked up a mere two points in their 10 road outings this term.

    The records this season make it hard to back a positive result for Fulham, but we cannot ignore the contrasting fortunes of these sides at the weekend. Fulham are a great price to take something from north London.

    TIP: Fulham to win or draw @ 5/2

    PREDICTED SCORE: Arsenal 1-1 Fulham (Priced at 9/1 with 888sport)

     

    CARDIFF CITY vs Tottenham Hotspur

    Cardiff finally got their first away win of the campaign at the King Power Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

    Neil Warnock’s side were solid at the back, pulling themselves four points clear of the relegation zone thanks to Victor Camarasa’s stunning late goal.

    Despite a drubbing in their last home match, their form in the Welsh capital is good, having picked up 13 points from their 10 matches so far.

    Tottenham were edging their way into the title race. That all changed with home defeat to Wolves at the weekend, as fatigue caught up with Mauricio Pochettino’s side, who are short on options with several first teamers injured.

    Spurs are nine points behind Liverpool ahead of this fixture, but they have won the most away matches in the league this season and will be confident of returning to winning ways on New Year’s Day.

    Cardiff can climb as high as 14th with victory in this one. They are still one of the favourites for the drop, but even the ultra-pragmatic Warnock must be feeling more positive about their survival chances right now.

    Tottenham looked exhausted in the closing minutes at Wembley. Pochettino’s team have not got long to recover before this one – this could be another difficult afternoon for Spurs.

    TIP: Cardiff to win or draw @ 9/5

    PREDICTED SCORE: Cardiff 1-1 Spurs (Priced at 19/2 with 888sport)

     

    *Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

    December 30, 2018
    Sam Cox
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    Sam is a sports tipster, specialising in the Premier League and Champions League.

    He covers most sports, including cricket and Formula One. Sam particularly enjoys those on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean – notably MLB and NBA.

    Watching, writing and talking about sports betting takes up most of his time, whether that is for a day out at T20 Finals Day or a long night of basketball.

    Having been writing for several years, Sam has been working with 888Sport since 2016, contributing multiple articles per week to the blog.

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    Horse Racing Betting: Ante Post Look At 2019 Events

    With 2018 drawing to a close it feels like an opportune time to have an early look through some of the major horse races that will take place at home, and around the world, in 2019.

    Pegasus World Cup (January 26th)

    The 2019 Pegasus will be a two-race event this year, one a $9 million race on the dirt and now a $7 million turf race has been added to the card at Gulfstream Park as well.

    All the ante-post interest is naturally around the original dirt race and at  $500,000 a pop entry fee it is easy to see why.

    Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Accelerate heads the market, closely followed by the Dirt Mile victor City of Light.

    Pegasus World Cup odds: https://www.888sport.com/horse-racing/

    Cheltenham Gold Cup (March 15th)

    The 2018 renewal of the Cheltenham Gold Cup was won by the Colin Tizzard-trained Native River, ridden by Richard Johnson in a thrilling finish that saw him just fend off the challenge from Might Bite.

    This year’s race has a very open look to it at this stage with plenty of reputations being damaged already so far this season.

    Presenting Percy, who is yet to be seen on a racecourse this term, leads the betting with Native River also being prominent in the market too.

    Gold Cup Betting: https://www.888sport.com/horse-racing-betting/#/event/1004604835

     

    Grand National (April 6th)

    The Grand National is the most popular jumps race on the racing calendar as 40 runners tackle the 30 Grand National fences over the course of four and a half miles.

    The Gordon Elliott-trained Tiger Roll, who claimed his third Cheltenham Festival success in the Cross Country Chase in March before winning the world’s most famous steeplechase at Aintree the following month, has been targeted at the race once again.

    Grand National odds: https://www.888sport.com/horse-racing-betting/#/event/1004627902

     

    Kentucky Derby (May 4th)

    The Kentucky Derby takes place on the first Saturday in May every year, and typically draws a crowd of 160,000 people.

    The Kentucky Derby is the first race within the American Triple Crown, where it is followed by the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes.

    The Bob Baffert-trained Game Winner is currently leading the points scorer on the Road To The Kentucky Derby table and is the 8/1 favourite at present.

    Kentucky Derby odds: https://www.888sport.com/horse-racing-betting/#/event/1005109396

    2000 Guineas (May 4th)

    The first race in the British Champions Series and the curtain-raising Classic of the Flat season. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket, over one mile in early May.

    Too Darn Hot, who ended last season unbeaten as Britain’s champion juvenile is tipped to sweep up all the major prizes before him in 2019 and is ranked a 6/4 shot for this Classic opener.

    2000 Guineas odds: https://www.888sport.com/horse-racing-betting/#/event/1004760113

     

    1000 Guineas (May 5th)

    Hot on the heels of the 2000 Guineas is the second Classic of the Flat season, the 1000 Guineas which is open to three-year-old fillies.

    It is run on the Rowley Mile course at Newmarket, and again over one mile.

    The Rockfel Stakes winner Just Wonderful, who is trained by the Irish maestro Aidan O’Brien, is currently heading the betting at 10/1.

    1000 Guineas odds:  https://www.888sport.com/horse-racing-betting/#/event/1004760125

     

    The Oaks (May 31st)

    Just like the 1000 Guineas, the Investec Oaks is a fillies-only Classic, run at Epsom Downs over the same mile-and-a-half distance as the Derby a day later.

    The Joseph O’Brien-trained Iridessa is attracting plenty of support in the betting.

    She provided O’Brien with his first Group 1 win as a trainer in Britain when landing the bet365 Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket back in the autumn.

    Oaks betting:  https://www.888sport.com/horse-racing-betting/#/event/1004941348

     

    The Derby (June 1st)

    The Derby bills itself as “the greatest flat race in the world” and that is pretty much as near a description you will get about this historic Classic.

    The race remains the pinnacle of any racehorse’s career and is the most prestigious of the five Classics.

    As was eluded to earlier in this article, Too Darn Hot is by far the most popular horse ante-post punters wish to follow in 2019 and he is 3/1 poke for Epsom’s blue-riband event.

    Royal Ascot (June 18th - June 22nd)

    The five days of the Royal Meeting get underway on Tuesday 18th June and understandably there are far too many races to list here.

    However, here at 888sport we do have three of the main feature races priced up for you already:

    Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe (October 6th)

    The 97th edition of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe will certainly go down in history for two good reasons.

    English filly Enable and Frankie Dettori will forever be the only pair to win two consecutive runnings of the Arc on two different racecourses - Chantilly in 2017 and ParisLongchamp in 2018.

    The second reason being that it was Dettori’s 6th Arc title, an all-time record in the history of Europe’s greatest horse race.

    The wonder filly stays in training in 2019 for another crack at the Arc for which she is a 7/2 chance.

    Arc betting: https://www.888sport.com/horse-racing-betting/#/event/1005073424

     

    SUMMARY

    Naturally ante-post wagering does come with its pitfalls, especially if your selection fails to make the event.

    It can however prove to be very lucrative, and with a little bit of foresight and imagination you can end up with a great price on your long term fancy.

     

    *Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

    December 30, 2018
    Steve Mullington
  • ">
  • Body

    Steven is a sports and horse racing enthusiast and is a member of the Horseracing Writers and Photographers Association (HWPA) in the United Kingdom.

    He is a regular visitor to Paris Longchamp for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and a lifelong fan of the Aintree Grand National, a subject he writes about 52 weeks of the year. Last year he reached the impressive milestone of attending the last 30 renewals of the Grand National.

    Steven graduated from the University Of Lancaster in 1996 with a B.A (Hons) in Urban Policy & Race Relations (major) with Contemporary Religions & Belief Systems (minor) and still wonders if any of these help him find the winners?

    He writes for a number of websites and online publications and you can sometimes hear him at the weekend discussing racing on a number of local radio stations. 

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    Horse Racing Betting: Spotlight On The 2018 Challow Hurdle

    The Challow Novices’ Hurdle this Saturday is a Grade 1 Race run at Newbury over 2 miles 4½ furlongs and Novice Hurdlers aged four and older are eligible to run in it.

    Previous winners have included Bonanza Boy, Large Action, Bindaree, Denman, Witchita Lineman and Reve de Sivola.

     

    • 10/10 - Had won no more than 3 times over hurdles before.
    • 10/10 - The last 10 winners have been aged 4, 5, or 6.
    • 10/10 - Had raced in the last 8 weeks.
    • 10/10 – Had placed in the top three last time out.
    • 10/10 – Returned 8/1 or shorter in the betting. SPs of the winners have ranged from 4/11 to 8/1.
    • 9/10 - Went onto run at the Cheltenham Festival producing one winner (Wichita Lineman, 2006).
    • 8/10 winners were rated 137 or higher
    • 5/10 – Were winning favourites.
    • 3/10 – Trained by Jonjo O’Neill .JP McManus has owned 2 of the last 8 winners.
    • 3/10 winners ran in the Classic Novices Hurdle next with two of them winning.
    • 2/10 – Were ridden by Daryl Jacob.
    • 2/10 – Were trained by Nick Williams.

     

    Main Contenders

    Champ (Nicky Henderson)

    Champ has lived up to his name thus far this season winning on his last three starts over hurdles by a combined distance of 25 lengths.

    He was very impressive last time out, heading to the front and holding on with ease to win a big handicap at Newbury.

    He is a course-and-distance winner too and it is totally understandable why he is at the top of the market.

     

    Coolanly (Fergal O'Brien)

    Coolanly has run in decent company since being beaten by Vinndication on his hurdles debut.

    He was made favourite when falling in a Grade 2 at Chepstow on his seasonal debut but made up for that with victory in another Grade 2 at Cheltenham last time.

    He officially has 7lb to find with Champ but he is trained by last year’s winning trainer Fergal O’Brien who will eke out every last drop of improvement in him.

     

    Brewin'Upastorm (Olly Murphy)

    Olly Murphy’s got off the mark over hurdles at the first time of asking.

    It is hard to tell whether he beat much in that hurdle at Huntingdon but there is plenty of scope for improvement and the punters appear to like him in the horse racing betting market.

     

    Kateson (Tom Lacey)

    Finished second in the bumper at the Grand National Meeting and has won both his hurdle races thus far. He was backed into favouritism for both those wins.

    Kateson is a course-and-distance winner on similar ground to what he will encounter on Saturday and has shaped like a class animal this term.

    He is officially rated 9lb inferior to Champ but could easily serve it up to him on Saturday.

     

    Getaway Trump (Paul Nicholls)

    Paul Nicholls’ five-year-old was visually impressive as he powered away from his rivals last time out at Exeter.

    That race may have been over two miles only but he has won over this extended trip already this season and looks to be a horse on an upward spiral.

     

    Alsa Mix (Alan King)

    A winning point-to-pointer, the grey mare ran in a couple of bumpers in September and November, winning them both.

    She surprisingly went off at odds of 12/1 at Sandown on her hurdles debut and duly won, beating Darlac and Mercy Mercy Me in the process.

    Her trainer won this race in 2016 and he comes into this battle with an unbeaten horse.

     

    Conclusion

    With a multitude of hotpots taking a thumping over the Christmas holiday period it is a very difficult time to be a favourite backer at the moment.

    Tom Lacey is currently a trainer very much in form and his Kateson looks destined for bigger and greater things. He is the selection to take on the favourite with.

    888sport suggests: Kateson (win).

     

    *Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

    December 28, 2018
    Steve Mullington
  • ">
  • Body

    Steven is a sports and horse racing enthusiast and is a member of the Horseracing Writers and Photographers Association (HWPA) in the United Kingdom.

    He is a regular visitor to Paris Longchamp for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and a lifelong fan of the Aintree Grand National, a subject he writes about 52 weeks of the year. Last year he reached the impressive milestone of attending the last 30 renewals of the Grand National.

    Steven graduated from the University Of Lancaster in 1996 with a B.A (Hons) in Urban Policy & Race Relations (major) with Contemporary Religions & Belief Systems (minor) and still wonders if any of these help him find the winners?

    He writes for a number of websites and online publications and you can sometimes hear him at the weekend discussing racing on a number of local radio stations. 

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    No Place Like Home: Five World Champion Fighters Who Excelled on Home Soil

    The world of combat sports is often considered to be the ultimate in sporting competition. When the opening bell rings, it's one on one, with few external factors involved in deciding the identity of the winner.

    One factor that does play a part, however, is home advantage. Some of the world's best fighters take full advantage of the ability to compete in friendly territory, where they often produce their best performances.

    Here are five fighters from the sports of boxing and mixed martial arts whose propensity to produce the goods in front of their own fans has meant facing them in the ring or the cage is an uphill struggle from the very first bell.

    The Underappreciated Champion: Joe Calzaghe

    Welsh wonder Joe Calzaghe still doesn’t get the full recognition his career deserves, and it’s more than likely as a result of where he fought.

    Calzaghe fought outside of Great Britain just four times in his 46-fight career, and only fought twice in the United States – in his final two bouts against Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr.

    Calzaghe took on and beat the best in the world during his career. He dethroned the great Brit Chris Eubank in a thriller in Sheffield, England to capture the WBO super-middleweight world title, and he went on to defend the belt an incredible 21 times.

    His dismantling of Jeff “Left Hook” Lacy remains one of the best performances ever seen by a British boxer in a world title fight as he completely outclassed the big-punching American, who at the time was considered to be the next big thing at 168lbs.

    Calzaghe then went on to defeat gritty Danish star Mikkel Kessler before heading Stateside for his only two fights in America as he outpointed Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr in his final two appearances before retirement. 

    Had Calzaghe fought in the US earlier in his career, it would undoubtedly have boosted his reputation in boxing’s financial heartland. He returned as a rarity in the sport, a legitimately undefeated world champion, with a stellar record of 46-0 with 32 knockouts.

    He was always a star in Wales and the rest of the UK, but his skills undoubtedly deserved more credit in the United States.

     

    The Stay-At-Home Champion: Sven Ottke

    Talk to a casual boxing fan about Sven Ottke and they’ll either tell you they’ve never heard of him, or they’ll say that he was a flat-track bully who never left his comfort zone.

    Ottke fought outside of his native Germany just once in his undefeated 34-fight career, and captured the IBF super-middleweight world champion in his 13th career fight.

    Once he got his hands on championship gold, Ottke made it his business to do everything he could to keep his hands on it.

    That meant a risk-averse approach to his career that saw him steer well clear of any of the other elite-level super-middleweights in the world at the time in favour of bouts against mid-ranking fighters with less knockout risk.

    Ottke’s career management also extended to where he fought, as he steadfastly refused to defend his title anywhere but in his home nation.

    He defended his IBF title 21 consecutive times, winning 16 of them on the scorecards, some of them controversially.

    It was pointed out that he often fought with every hometown advantage possible, with the bouts taking place in Germany, with German referees and German judges for many of his fights.

    It proved a successful combination, as Ottke retired undefeated at 34-0, but for those who remember his career at the time, there will always be an asterisk over “The Phantom’s” career as a world champion.

     

    The Stadium Filler: Anthony Joshua

    From the moment he captured Olympic gold on home soil at London 2012, Anthony Joshua was a national hero in Great Britain. That success has led to packed houses across the UK ever since, and there is no need to leave his home nation to compete overseas.

    His star power is such that he not only generated huge pay-per-view revenues in the UK, but his fights also still grab the attention of fight fans in the United States.

    His situation is a stark contrast from that of his predecessor, Wladimir Klitschko, who lived and competed mostly in Germany during his heavyweight title reign.

    While Klitschko's boring style meant he was a turn-off for US TV viewers, Joshua's knockout power and penchant for exciting, action-packed fights means he's a sure-fire hit Stateside.

    He's the heavyweight champion of the world, he's undefeated, he fills football stadiums and he's a pay-per-view hit on both sides of the Atlantic. Why on earth would he give that up to fight overseas?

     

    Master Of His Own Destiny: Floyd Mayweather Jr

    Whether you prefer him as “Pretty Boy Floyd” or the brash, trash-talking “Money Mayweather”, Floyd Mayweather has forged a legendary career that has seen him go 50-0 against the best of the best at his weight.

    While some champions have been accused of ducking opponents in their careers, Mayweather has perfected the art building interest in fights to fever-pitch levels before then taking on the challenge and coming through victorious.

    Few fighters have the level of control over their careers that Mayweather has achieved, particularly later in his career, which has been contested exclusively on American soil.

    In his 35th career bout, he defeated Sharmba Mitchell in November 2005 in Portland, Oregon. Since then, he has fought exclusively in his hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada.

    Fifteen consecutive fights in Sin City saw Mayweather take on the world’s best, including Miguel Cotto, Canelo Alvarez, Marcos Maidana and Manny Pacquiao.

    In his latest bout, he earned his biggest-ever payday when he fought former two-division UFC world champion, Conor McGregor.

    Mayweather’s run of fighting at home is set to come to an end as he has agreed to a three-round exhibition bout against kickboxing world champion Tenshin Nasukawa at Japanese martial arts promotion Rizin’s New Year’s Eve show at the end of 2018.

     

    King Of Myanmar: Aung La N Sang

    “The Burmese Python” Aung La N Sang may not be a household name in the United States or across Europe, but the Myanmar-born fighter is a bonafide superstar in Asia’s biggest martial arts organisation, ONE Championship.

    The American-based mixed martial arts star has a mixed record overall, but since rising to the heights in ONE Championship, he has been given the opportunity to fight in the country of his birth where, he has been simply unbeatable.

    N Sang has fought six times at the Thuwunna Indoor Stadium, including in each of his last five matchups, and he has produced spectacular winning performances each time as he captured the ONE middleweight and light-heavyweight titles.

    His walkouts are among the most electric in combat sports, his fans are among the most passionate and his fights in Yangon are simply must-see TV.

    Put simply, “The Burmese Python” in the Thuwunna is a force to be reckoned with, and one of the most dominant forces in combat sports today. It’s going to take a very special athlete, and a very special performance, to defeat him on home soil.

     

    *Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

    December 24, 2018
    888sport
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    The 888sport blog is here to offer betting and tipping advice on the biggest sports fixtures, events and competitions around the world.

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