Billy Joe Saunders has emerged as a true champion that continues to grow in esteem with the boxing community, fight fans, and gamblers as a proven commodity. Martin Murray is a past champion in his own right and a seasoned veteran. However most believe that Murray’s best days have passed him by. The grizzled Murray is set to challenge Saunders for his World Boxing Organization World Middleweight Title. Saunders has opened as a large betting favorite as the most recent proven champion. But while Murray is a big time underdog that is given little chance his past championship experience has bargain hunters checking him out.
Let’s take a look at the boxing odds at BookMaker.eu, break down the matchup and go over your betting options.
Boxing Odds at BookMaker.eu
Billy Joe Saunders – 1900
Martin Murray +1200
Over/under rounds - Check Back Later
The bout between Billy Joe Saunders and Martin Murray will take place on June 23, 2018 at O2 Arena (Millenium Dome) Greenwich. The fight will be aired on ESPN+ and is scheduled for 12 rounds. The winner will take possession of the World Boxing Organization World Middleweight title belt.
Fight Preview
The 35 year old Martin Murray has been boxing as a pro since September 2007 and held the World Boxing Association Interim Middleweight title belt from 2012 to 2014. He was also the British Commonwealth Middleweight titles between 2010 to 2012. On four different occasions Murray has challenged for a World title. It is that past championship boxing experience that has gamblers wondering if the veteran Murray can pull off the upset. He is certainly enticing as a +1200 long shot that has won a championship.
Murray is a native of St Helens, Merseyside, United Kingdom where he still resides. He stands at six feet tall with a reach of 73 inches and fights from an orthodox stance. Murray is currently ranked ninth in the world with a career record as a pro of 36-4-1. Out of his 36 wins a total of 17 have come by knockout. Murray has suffered just one knockout loss for his career.
Billy Joe Saunders is 28 years of age and has held the World Boxing Organization Middleweight title since 2015. Prior to taking the WBO Middleweight title, Saunders was the European, British, and Commonwealth Middleweight titles between 2012 and 2015. Saunders also represented Great Britain at the 2008 Olympics and while there reached the second round of the Welterweight bracket. As of December, 2017 Saunders was ranked as the third best active Middleweight by the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board and was ranked fourth by The Ring Magazine and fifth by BoxRec.
Saunders has unique and quite interesting bloodlines that include a great grandfather that was a famous bare knuckle boxer. He is a native of Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England and now resides in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom. He fights from a southpaw stance. Saunders stands at five feet 11 inches tall with a reach of 71 inches and fights from a southpaw stance. Saunders is currently ranked fifth in the world with a career record of 26-0. Out of his 26 wins a total of 12 have come by knockout.
Known as “Superb,” Saunders won the World Boxing Organization World Middleweight title on December 19, 2015 when he scored a 12 round Majority Decision win over Andy Lee at the Manchester Arena in Manchester. He has successfully defended his title on three occasions with his last win over David Lemieux in a unanimous decision on December 16, 2017.
Boxing Betting Tips
This is an interesting fight as Martin Murray is a credible, though fading challenger. But Saunders continues to be on the ascent as a proven champion that is looking more unbeatable in each fight. It’s a steep price but for a good reason as Saunders is the real deal.
Boxing Odds Pick: Billy Joe Saunders
Bet on Boxing Odds at BookMaker.eu Now
With the boxing odds at BookMaker Sportsbook, you can bet on boxing all year, from smaller cards to pay-per-view events. Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook. Billy Joe Saunders vs. Martin Murray takes place on June 23, 2018 at O2 Arena in Greenwich. The fight can be seen on ESPN+.
