Bet of the day: Saturday’s boxing
Published:
Hard-hitting value on Daws
Popular Morden puncher Lenny Daws looks to add the European title to his trophy cabinet on Saturday evening when facing an unbeaten opponent in Sweden’s Anthony Yigit in Carshalton.
The 36-fight veteran has been written off in the betting as a no-hoper, on his own patch too, but he will be eager to call on every bit of his near 14-year professional experience to see him better an opponent who is taking a major step up in class.
Daws was last seen in December 2015 losing to Spaniard Ruben Nieto by disqualification, but it looked a harsh decision by a clumsy referee on that occasion and, if the fight was allowed to continue, the Englishman appeared to be getting the upper-hand. That bout was also for the European title, and Daws proved he still belongs in that sort of company that night, despite the hurtful result.
Daws has seen it all before
A former holder of this belt, as well as former English and British champion, Londoner Lenny Daws has been a fantastic servant to the sport, competing at a high level throughout his career. He has won five of his last six starts, with the spare coming in the form of that disqualification that shouldn’t have happened. With a better referee, who knows where he would be in his career now. The result knocked him off-course, but he returns with the perfect opportunity to put things right.
Opponent Anthony Yigit is the younger man at 25-years-old, but this will be only the southpaw’s 20th professional contest. As well as vital experience, he will also be giving away height and reach on the night, and will take on, not only Daws, but a passionate home support at the Westcroft Leisure Centre too.
Yigit is unbeaten so far, 18 wins against one draw, but he remains largely untested, with his last five opponents losing a combined 36 times. This will be his second trip to British shores, having won a run-of-the-mill contest at the 02 Arena on the undercard of Froch – Kessler back in 2013.
Can’t buy experience
There is no doubting the man in the away corner’s ability, but he will face something very new to him here, going into the lion’s den against one of British boxing’s favourites. To make that task all the more difficult, Daws has experience of winning this belt and has a massive chip on his shoulder after being unfairly treated when contesting it last time.
Coral’s 11/4 on Lenny Daws to get his career back to winning ways may just prove too good to ignore for followers of the fight game, while punters with a passing interest should get a real run for their money at a great price.
