Victory will be sweet for Ricky Burns against “Sugar” Ray
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Ricky Burns (36-2) makes the fifth defence of his WBO Lightweight title later this month and has too much in his locker to be seriously troubled by Mexican journeyman Raymundo Beltran (28-6).
Not only will Burns be fighting in front of a partisan crowd at a packed SECC Glasgow, but Beltran – who carries the somewhat optimistic moniker Sugar – comes into the ring with six defeats, two of which have come from his last six bouts.
Burns is the clear favourite to retain his strap at 2/9 but those looking for more value could be tempted to delve into the winning method markets.
Rickster is priced at 5/2 to win by knockout or technical knockout but it is worth noting that the 30-year-old has stopped just 11 of his victims inside the distance, while Beltran has been stopped by TKO just twice in his 34-fight career.
Better value then, can be had from the 4/6 which says The Big Man will take the victory by decision or technical decision.
Burns has been taken the distance in five of his last nine fights, while five of Beltran’s last six bouts have gone to the cards.
Sugar has not been given much hope by the boxing world ahead of this fight, but as with any match Burns would do well to not underestimate his opponent.
Beltran’s six losses and lack of experience in 12-round fights certainly give his resume the look of a stonewall journeyman, but with 17 KOs to his name it’s clear he has the raw power to take anyone out on his day.
It is also worth mentioning that some of the losses on his sheet came via narrow split decisions.
As such, those looking to cash in on an upset could be tempted to back the man who has served as Manny Pacquiáo’s sparring partner to win at 7/2.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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