Oddsmakers are thinking that IBF welterweight champ Kell Brook - 35-0, 24 KOs - is a pretty sure thing in his title defense against Diego Chaves - 23-2-1, 19 KOs - this Saturday. WBO welterweight champion Tim Bradley begs to differ. The American champion spoke out recently on why Brook should not be overlooking Chaves - indirectly speaking to gamblers on why he’s a compelling underdog bet.
CURRENT ODDS
Our online boxing odds currently list Brook as -1100 favorite, with Chaves more than a 6-to-1 underdog at +650. Other sportsbooks have Brook anywhere from -1250 to -1475, with Chaves as cheap as +800. I’d expect the total for this 12-rounder to be set around 10.5 rounds, given how aggressive Chaves fights. Remember, our odds are updated daily, so these lines could shift as more action comes in.
BRADLEY WEIGHS IN
When Timothy Bradley talks about Diego Chaves’ chances against Brook, he’s speaking from experience. Bradley recently fought to a 12-round draw against Chaves this past December. It was one of the toughest fights of his career, and Bradley nearly fell apart from the challenger’s heavy shots.
“It’s a tough fight for Kell Brook. He doesn’t realize that,” Bradley stated. “Diego Chaves is underrated. He has had a few opportunities and came up short but the guy can box and he can fight on the inside. He has good power in both hands and Chanves can mix it up. I think it’s a tough fight for Brook - but if he can get him out of there, then Brook is something special. I can tell you that much.”
It doesn’t seem as Brook is overlooking his challenger. “He’s coming off a draw to Tim Bradley, was ahead on the cards against Brandon Rios until he was disqualified and gave Keith Thurman a solid fight so we know what level he has mixed at and how good he is.”
While I’ll admit that I’m intrigued by the sledgehammer nature of Chaves’ fists, I’m a bit worried that we’ll see Brook revert to holding if he gets tagged a few times. We’ve seen it from him in the past, and he’s is an expert at disrupting the rhythm and combination of his opponents. Unfortunately, it’s not really a fan-friendly experience.
FIGHT ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
So should you side with Bradley in this case? Maybe. Bradley is absolutely right that Chaves is underrated - one does not take him or Brandon Rios to the limit without being a darned good fighter. And the power that Chaves carries is no joke, as indicated by his high KO ratio.
But then again, Brook is one of the craftiest guys in the division. First off, he could definitely clinch and hug his way to victory if he gets into any trouble. If he can keep Chaves at range with his jab, then he’d also be taking away Chaves’ aggression, which needs to be firing on all cylinders for him to take the belt.
So what’s the call here? I love that you can bet $100 to make over $600 back on Chaves. If you cash in on an upset this Saturday, remember to thank Timothy Bradley for the advice.
HOW TO BET
Sign into BookMaker Sportsbook and get all the latest Kell Brook vs. Diego Chaves odds, including moneylines, totals and prop bets. The title bout takes place on Saturday, October 24, 2015 at the at the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield, U.K. The card will be televised live on SHOWTIME starting 5:45 pm.
Make sure to check in during fight night and get the latest live betting updates. You can bet on real-time odds during the bout, allowing you to hedge your bets or even make new ones as you watch on live television. And with multiple reliable payout options, collecting your earnings is always quick and easy.
