On Saturday, November 14th, Matchroom Boxing in conjunction with DAZN presents a historic card live from the SSE Arena in Wembley, UK. This event features three women’s world title fights at the top of the card. A feat that has never been done to this magnitude before.
The main event of the night is a women’s lightweight title fight as the Irish superstar Katie Taylor puts her titles on the line against the undefeated Miriam Gutierrez.
The co-main event of the night will see Terri Harper defend her WBC and IBO super featherweight titles against Katharina Thanderz.
The third and final women’s world title bout is for the vacant WBA bantamweight belt as Rachel Ball battles Jorgelina Guanini who holds the IBF bantamweight belt.
The main card has a 2PM ET start time on DAZN for U.S. fight fans. The event will be on Sky Sports in the U.K. and Ireland with a 7PM local start time.
Boxing betting sites have released odds for the full announced lineup. Let’s step into the ring to examine these odds, identify any potential value, and knockout these predictions.
So we got #CrawfordBrook & #TripleTitle Fights with @MatchroomBoxing 👌🏽 #boxing #Thebeautyofboxing am I missing any fights ?? pic.twitter.com/uG07OYzyWO
— MelodyJoy (@beautynboxing) November 9, 2020
Kash Farooq vs Angel Aviles
- Kash Farooq (-5000)
- Angel Aviles (+1400)
Ukashir Farooq, Kash for short, will make his debut with Matchroom Boxing this weekend and is a massive betting favorite at -5000 odds. He was opened as a +110 underdog in his last fight against Lee McGregor, but closed as the favorite with odds ranging from -175 to -225.
Angel Aviles is one of the largest underdogs for the entire event with odds at +1400 and higher.
Farooq vs Aviles Preview
| Details | Kash Farooq | Angel Aviles |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 24 | 27 |
| Height | 5’5” | — |
| Reach | — | — |
| Total Fights | 14 | 26 |
| Record | 13-1 | 20-5-1 |
| Knockouts | 6 | 6 |
Farooq is coming off the first loss of his career one year ago via split decision to Lee McGregor. Not only does he vow to improve from that loss, but Kash also wants a rematch against McGregor in the near future.
Farooq fought three times in 2019 going 2-1. This is his first bout of 2020 and he shouldn’t have any issues.
Angel Aviles has won eight straight, with all of them coming in Mexico to glorified sparring partners. One of his opponents during that stretch was 0-3 while another one was 15-19-5.
This fight is all about Farooq getting back on track with a win and building some confidence. It’s a handpicked fight to restore his in-ring aura and put him back on track in the bantamweight division.
As for the winner, I believe that online betting sites got this right. There’s no reason to think that Farooq will lose this contest which is why he’s a -5000 betting favorite at online betting sites.
Prior to his loss to McGregor, six of Kash’s previous seven wins had come via TKO/KO. I expect him to get the TKO/KO win in this weekend’s bout.
Farooq vs Aviles –Farooq (-5000)
Thomas Whittaker-Hart vs Jermaine Springer
- Thomas Whittaker-Hart (-900)
- Jermaine Springer (+550)
Whittaker-Hart enters this undercard bout as a large betting favorite over Jermaine Springer. Neither fighter has much information on recent betting trends.
Whittaker-Hart vs Springer Preview
| Details | Thomas Whittaker-Hart | Jermaine Springer |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 25 | 32 |
| Height | 6’0” | — |
| Reach | — | — |
| Total Fights | 4 | 8 |
| Record | 4-0 | 7-1 |
| Knockouts | 2 | 1 |
Jermaine Springer enters this eight round light heavyweight contest on a two fight winning streak. He suffered the first loss of his career to Boris Crighton via 2nd round TKO 14 months ago. He last fought in March and defeated Casey Connelly on points.
Whittaker-Hart last fought one year ago and won via TKO over Josip Perkovic. Before we get too excited about his potential, Hart has fought opponents with a combined record of 15-105-2.
Basically, Hart has fought against punching bags with hands and feet. There’s nothing to boast about with that resume.
The opportunity is here and it’s your time to shine @thomashart1995 Your in the shape of your life and have a brilliant team with you! Go and take what is yours mate! 👊 @MatchroomBoxing pic.twitter.com/BaMKv0MMfc
— Tony Bellew (@TonyBellew) October 21, 2020
Hart signed with Matchroom Boxing ahead of this contest and believes that this new venture will bring out the best in him:
“I’ve made a positive start to life in the pros with four wins and two knockouts. I don’t think I’ve showed enough of what I can really do. Now I’ve signed with Matchroom I can start to really push on and I know the opponents are going to get harder, that’s when you’ll see the best version of me.”
Hart admits that he doesn’t know much about Springer, but feels it’s a good step up for him. From what Hart has faced in the first year of his pro career, Springer will definitely be a step up in competition.
Yet, Springer isn’t a rising prospect. He’s a 32 year old fighter that doesn’t have the skills to rise higher than an early stepping stone for other prospects.
Take Whittaker-Hart to win this fight handedly. Most likely via points.
Whittaker-Hart vs Springer –Whittaker-Hart (-900)
John Docherty vs Jack Cullen
- John Docherty (-455)
- Jack Cullen (+300)
John Docherty is the betting favorite for this 10 round super middleweight title eliminator fight. He’s listed with odds ranging from -455 to -625. Docherty was a large favorite in his last fight as well.
Jack Cullen is the underdog with odds ranging from +300 to +450. He was the underdog in his last fight, but a massive favorite two fights ago. Cullen has alternated between underdog and favorite status over the last few years.
Docherty vs Cullen Preview
| Details | John Docherty | Jack Cullen |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 23 | 27 |
| Height | 6’1.5” | 6’3” |
| Reach | — | — |
| Total Fights | 9 | 21 |
| Record | 9-0 | 18-2-1 |
| Knockouts | 7 | 9 |
As mentioned, this bout is a British title eliminator for the super middleweight division. It’s a step up for John Docherty who was originally scheduled to take on Jack Arnfield, but the Englishman withdrew due to an injury.
Jack Cullen was set to take on Jamie Cox, but he also withdrew from the event. That left Matchroom Boxing with two available super-middleweights that needed new opponents.
Docherty last competed in August and defeated Anthony Fox via 7th round TKO. It was the second straight TKO victory for the 23 year old. This will be his third fight in 2020.
Jack Cullen has had a rough go of things lately. His last fight was also in August where he ended up with a split draw against Zak Chelli. He lost to Felix Cash one year ago making him 1-1-1 in this last three pro bouts.
This contest is all about Docherty and his rise in the super-middleweight division. He’s being touted as a future world champ and his promoter Eddie Hearn is trying to make him into a bigger star in the UK.
If you ask Docherty, he’ll tell you that there’s nobody in his weight class that he can’t beat. In fact, the brash young fighter is hoping to become a world champ in two years and then take on Canelo Alvarez:
“Hopefully I can be fighting for a world title in two years. And maybe Canelo Alvarez is still around. Beating him in Las Vegas would be the ultimate aim. Everybody in my team believes in me. I want a shot at him before he goes. You’ve got to think big.”
Kudos to Docherty for setting his sights on the biggest star in boxing. With that said, he should easily defeat Cullen on Saturday and get one step closer to his first regional championship belt.
Docherty vs Cullen –Docherty (-455)
Jorgelina Guanini vs Rachel Ball
- Jorgelina Guanini (+175)
- Rachel Ball (-200)
Rachel Ball enters as the slight betting favorite in the first of three women’s world title fights. She was originally scheduled to face Ebanie Bridges, who Ball was a -300 favorite against. However, Bridges had to withdraw from the fight due an injury.
Guanini is the current IBF women’s super flyweight champ and is a bigger threat to win against Ball than Bridges was. Guanini is a +175 underdog whereas Bridges was listed with odds ranging from +215 to +270.
Guanini vs Ball Preview
| Details | Jorgelina Guanini | Rachel Ball |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 28 | 29 |
| Height | 5’2” | 5’9” |
| Reach | — | — |
| Total Fights | 12 | 7 |
| Record | 9-1-2 | 6-1 |
| Knockouts | 1 | 0 |
Guanini has gone 2-1-1 in her last four fights. However, she did win the IBF women’s super flyweight title in September 2018 by defeating Debora Dionicius who was 28-0 and had the belt for several years.
In her last fight, Guanini went to a majority draw against Micaela Lujan in June 2019. It’s been 17 months since she last fought.
Ball suffered her first loss to Katharina Thanderz in March 2019. Thanderz is actually competing in the co-main event of this card.
Since then, Ball has won two in a row via points. Her last fight was in August and she defeated Shannon Courtenay in what pundits called an upset. The victory catapulted Ball into this title opportunity.
Despite the late replacement, Ball remains focused on winning the title. She also wants to pick up a stoppage victory as well:
“I am overdue a stoppage. I need to get one. I know I am going to win this fight and I’m going home with that belt. That belt is not getting on that plane! It’s mine to win. I’m just overexcited that I’m back again so soon. I keep thinking about it and I don’t know if it’s real yet.”
This fight is close on paper and with the online betting sites. With that said, I am leaning towards Ball in this title bout.
The big reason why I am leaning towards Ball is that she has a significant height and reach advantage over Guanini. I believe this will be the deciding factor.
In 19 total fights, these two women have combined to score just one knockout. The rest of their fights have gone the distance. I believe this fight will also go the distance, which should favor Ball as she has the reach advantage and can box from the outside to win rounds.
Guanini vs Ball –Ball (-200)
Terri Harper vs Katharina Thanderz
- Terri Harper (-455)
- Katharina Thanderz (+350)
Terri Harper is a sizable betting favorite as she defends her WBC and IBO super featherweight titles in this 10 round contest.
Harper is listed with odds ranging from -400 to -625. Katharina Thanderz is listed as the underdog with odds ranging from +245 to +425.
Harper vs Thanderz Preview
| Details | Terri Harper | Katharina Thanderz |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 24 | 32 |
| Height | 5’8.5” | — |
| Reach | 65” | 67.5” |
| Total Fights | 11 | 13 |
| Record | 10-0-1 | 13-0 |
| Knockouts | 5 | 2 |
Katharina Thanderz has an unblemished record as she remains unbeaten in her career. She’s the mandatory WBC #1 contender and has earned this title shot.
Thanderz last fought one year ago and won via split decision. As mentioned, she beat Ball three fights ago. Katharina has gone the distance eight straight contests.
In her last fight, Thanderz beat Danila Ramos via split decision. The win earned her the interim WBC super featherweight belt. After that victory, Thanderz called out Harper:
“After that fight, I called for Terri Harper, I’ve been studying her for a long time but I know she will have been studying for me. I’ve seen weaknesses in her game that I have been working on in training, I’ve put in extra hours to work on a specific game plan and now I just can’t wait to get in there with Terri and put into practice what we’ve worked on.”
By all accounts, Thanderz has said that her training camp and preparation for this fight couldn’t have gone any better. She believes that Harper and boxing fans will see the best version of her this Saturday.
Heading into her last fight, Harper was 10-0 with notable wins over fighters like Eva Wahlstrom. Yet, she ended up in a battle against Natasha Jonas that ended in a split draw.
It’s fight week 🌎🥊🙌🏽#belter #harperthanderz #worldtitle #womensboxing #mediamgmt #terriharper #andstill #matchroomboxing #stonewall
14.11.2020 pic.twitter.com/pdg3snugND
— Terri “Belter” Harper (@TerriHarper96) November 9, 2020
Boxing fans and Harper herself wanted to run the fight back right away, but the WBC is making her defend the title against the mandatory challenger in Thanderz instead:
“Thanderz was called as mandatory so that’s it. I’ve had my eye on her a good few months, maybe a year as a potential opponent, so it’s not like she’s just popped out of nowhere… I have a proven and deserving mandatory challenger to contend with first before we even look at those options. This is a proper fight and one I’m not overlooking.”
Harper is eight years younger than Thanderz, but don’t let that age difference fool you. She’s showed tremendous skills inside the ring. Furthermore, she’s adjusted her strength and conditioning during the recent training camp and believes that will make a big difference in this fight.
Harper declares that she will set a difficult pace for Thanderz in this contest and that her skills will be on display.
I have a hard time disagreeing with Harper, but I do think this bout will be much closer than what oddsmakers have it listed as. In fact, I give Thanderz a real shot at pulling off the upset.
But, when it comes to putting money on the line, you have to go with the champ. I’m taking Harper to win via decision.
Harper vs Thanderz –Harper (-455)
Katie Taylor vs Miriam Gutierrez
- Katie Taylor (-3300)
- Miriam Gutierrez (+1200)
Undisputed world champ Katie Taylor puts her belts on the line this weekend and is a massive betting favorite with odds ranging from -2500 to -8000. This makes her the biggest favorite of the entire event. These are her biggest odds since fighting Rose Volante in March 2019.
Although unbeaten, Miriam Gutierrez is a huge underdog with odds ranging from +800 to +2600.
Taylor vs Gutierrez Preview
| Details | Katie Taylor | Miriam Gutierrez |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 34 | 37 |
| Height | 5’5” | 5’7.5” |
| Reach | 66” | — |
| Total Fights | 16 | 13 |
| Record | 16-0 | 13-0 |
| Knockouts | 6 | 5 |
Miriam Gutierrez, the undefeated Spaniard, last fought one year ago and won via unanimous decision. This will be her first pro fight outside of Spain as she travels to the UK. Gutierrez has never fought anyone the level of Taylor.
For her career, Gutierrez has five TKO/KO wins out of 13 pro victories. She has two of those TKO/KO wins in her last five fights.
As for her opponent, Gutierrez has watched her fights since she was an amateur:
“I am a fan of amateur female boxing and I have watched all of Katie’s amateur fights and almost all her professional ones. I’ve always wanted to fight the best.”
Miriam says she is up for the challenge and is very excited to fight for the undisputed titles.
For Taylor, she last fought in late-August in a rematch against Delfine Persoon. It was their second time fighting in the last 17 months. Taylor commented on the quick turnaround:
“It’s been a pretty quick turnaround from my last fight but I’m always looking towards the next challenge and I really wanted to fight again before the end of the year. The pandemic has obviously made it a very uncertain time in terms of scheduling fights so I’m really excited to have a date to focus on.”
Since her 5th professional fight, Taylor has been competing in world title bouts. She won the vacant WBA international lightweight title in that fight. However, it wasn’t until October 2017, when she won the WBA regular lightweight title.
— Andy Lee (@AndyLeeBoxing) November 9, 2020
Taylor picked up the IBF lightweight title with a win over Bustos in April 2018. She acquired the WBO lightweight title with a win over Rose Volante in March 2019 and then scored the WBC lightweight title with a win over Delfine Persoon in June 2019.
Gutierrez is a rugged fighter, but she’s not on the same level as Katie Taylor. In fact, I don’t see any path to victory for the Spaniard.
This bout is all about Katie Taylor and her run as one of the faces of women’s boxing. Taylor could end up with a TKO win in this contest, but I will give the underdog a fighting chance and say that she survives the full 10 rounds.
Taylor vs Gutierrez –Taylor (-3300)
Will Taylor Fight Cyborg Next?
MMA star Cris “Cyborg” has acknowledged that she’s interested in fighting Katie Taylor in a boxing fight:
“I really like boxing. I’ve tried wrestling, I’ve tried jiu jitsu, I’ve tried Muay Thai. Always when you compete in a separate sport like this, you learn a lot. I love challenges. I’ve got Arlene Blencowe next in MMA, but if we can do the [Taylor] fight, it will be amazing.”
What’s even more exciting about this possibility is that Bellator’s Scott Coker and Taylor’s promoter Eddie Hearn have been having informal discussions on a superfight between the two.
Coker is on board with this, but also wants to see if he can convince Hearn to agree to Taylor competing against Cyborg in an MMA bout afterward to determine who the best combat fighter is.
Bellator champion Cris Cyborg is keen to box Katie Taylor https://t.co/rLCTuKcZKY
— Off The Ball (@offtheball) October 14, 2020
Cyborg walks around at 170 pounds, but fights at 145 pounds. The heaviest Taylor has competed at in her pro fights was 138.5 pounds. They would probably have to agree to a heavier weight class to make this work.
Eddie Hearn stated before the Persoon rematch in August that Taylor wants this fight against Cyborg before she hangs up her gloves.
If it happens, this would be the biggest female combat sports event ever and certain to make history for women combatants.
Full Card for Taylor vs Gutierrez on DAZN
- (c)Katie Taylor vs Miriam Gutierrez in a 10 round lightweight title fight
- (c)Terri Harper vs Katharina Thanderz in a 10 round WBC junior lightweight title bout
- (c)Jorgelina Guanini vs Rachel Ball in a 10 round WBA bantamweight title contest
- John Docherty vs Jack Cullen in a 10 round super middleweight fight
- Thomas Whittaker-Hart vs Jermaine Springer in a 4 round light heavyweight bout
- Kash Farooq vs Angel Aviles in a TBA round bantamweight clash.
Rick Rockwell
As a longtime freelance writer, avid sports fan, former athlete, and experienced sports bettor, Rick Rockwell has risen up the ranks at GamblingSites.org to become the self-professed “King of the Blog” in his first year with the site. …
