BOXING BETTING PACKS A PUNCH OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS

WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko opened as a prohibitive -1000 favorite (bet $1,000 to win $100) to dismiss mandatory challenger Juan Carlos Gomez in a bout that will cap two weeks of intense international boxing betting action in March.

 

Klitschko (36-2, 35 KOs), who retired in December of 2004 as the WBC champion, made his return to the ring in October of 2008, regaining his WBC belt from Samuel Peter when the "Nigerian Nightmare" failed to answer the bell for the ninth round. Klitschko, whose younger brother Wladimir holds the IBF and WBO versions of the heavyweight title, will face Gomez (44-1, 35 KOs), the +750 underdog (bet $100 to win $750) before ESPN cameras in Stuttgart, Germany, March 21.

 

The over/under on the scheduled 12-rounder is 7 1/2 rounds with those boxing betting fans who believe the fight will endure past the midway point of round eight asked to lay -120 while those who think the end will come sooner tasked to lay -110.

 

Boxing betting punters also can wager on how the fight will end:

 

      Klitschko by KO, TKO or disqualification  - 225

      Klitschko by decision                     + 250

      Gomez by KO, TKO or disqualification      + 800

      Gomez by decision                         +1000

      Draw                                      +4000

 

Gamblers seeking to build a bankroll for the Klitschko-Gomez bout will have plenty of opportunities March 14 when five other fights take place at three other European locations. All will be available on TV outlet or another (check you local listings).

 

Most of the action will take place at the M.E.N. Arena in Manchester, England where a tripleheader should catch the attention of boxing betting enthusiasts.

 

The card is highlighted by a scheduled 12-rounder between Amir Khan and Marco Antonio Barrera for the interim WBO lightweight championship. Khan (19-1, 15 KOs) opened as a -130 favorite over Barrera (65-6, 43 KOs), the +110 underdog. Nine of Khan's last 10 bouts, including his lone defeat, did not go the distance. Barrera, the former super featherweight champion, has won his last two fights since moving up to the 135-pound lightweight limit but Barrera's age (35) could be a factor against the 22-year-old Khan.

 

The total for the fight is 1- 1/2 rounds with "over" listed at 140 and "under" offered at +110.

 

The Enzo Maccarinelli-Ola Afolabi cruiserweight showdown also should interest boxing betting fans though, Maccarinelli, who opened at -1000 is a big favorite. Maccarinelli (29-2, 22 KOs) is the former WBO champion while Afolabi (13-1-3, 5 KOs), the +750 underdog, never has been tested at this level.

 

The WBO super featherweight title will be on the line when champion Nicky Cook (29-1, 16 KOs) defends against Roman Martinez (21-0-1, 12 KOs) in the third fight from Manchester. Despite holding the title belt, Cook opened as a +125 underdog to Martinez, the -150 betting choice.

 

Another title will be up for grabs when Arthur Abraham (28-0, 23 KOs) risks his IBF middleweight championship against Lajuan Simon (21-0-2, 12 KOs) in Kiel, Germany, March 14. Abraham is the overwhelming -4000 favorite (bet $4,000 to win $100) having stopped his previous six opponents, including Raul Marquez last November. Simon, who longshot players may like at +2500 (bet $100 to win $2,500) is undefeated but never has faced this caliber of opponent.

 

The last of the March 14 boxing betting opportunities is the middleweight match between Matthew Macklin and Wayne Elcock in Birmingham, England. Macklin (23-2, 16 KOs) opened as a -140 favorite. "Mack the Knife" has won six straight fights. Elcock (19-3, 9 KOs), the +110 underdog, knocked out previously unbeaten Darren McDermott in his most recent bout.

 

We're not suggesting a five-fight March 14 parlay, although that would be a pretty audacious way for boxing betting fans to try to build a bankroll for the Klitschko-Gomez bout a week later.

 

This article was written by Luken Karel for http://www.thegreek.com. The Greek Sportsbook & Casino is host to one of the top online sportsbooks offering sports betting on NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and all other major sports. The Greek is a must have sports betting and entertainment portal with one of the largest wagering menus available online. Article reproductions must include a link pointing to http://www.thegreek.com