Boxing Insider - Ward and Kessler tune up for SHOWTIME tourney

This weekend in boxing betting may be as important as any this year.

Aside from it being seven days prior to the highly anticipated Floyd Mayweather vs. Juan Manuel Marquez bout, the September 12 card being aired on SHOWTIME will have an enormous affect on the Super Middleweight tournament the network is putting on over the coming months.

In what is being viewed by many as a risky maneuver, both WBA super middleweight champion Mikkel “Viking Warrior” Kessler and Andre “S.O.G.” Ward will take part in showcase bouts leading up to their own clash in the first round of the Super Six World Boxing Classic.

Granted, neither men are in a tremendous amount of danger, however their opponents are not complete pushovers either.

Ward (19-0, 12 KOs) will be heavily favored on boxing odds over Shelby Pudwill (22-3-1, 9 KOs), who fought in a spirited contest with European star John Duddy in 2006. Prior to the Duddy bout, Pudwill was on an eight fight winning streak, using his tactical skills to outwit his opponents, rather than raw power.

Pudwill’s style plays right into Ward’s hands, as a master tactician himself. Ward has more power and energy than Pudwill, and should win this bout handily. As with Kessler however, he will need to be wary of avoiding cuts, or any lingering nick or injury that could cause him harm when the tournament begins.

Kessler’s explosive knockout power should result in an even shorter night during his “stay busy” tilt with Gusmyl Perdomo. Kessler’s only loss came at the hands of the legendary Joe Calzaghe, and the Danish superstar has knocked out 31 of his 42 career opponents. Meanwhile, Perdomo has only shown that he can overwhelm poor competition, validating the lopsided boxing lines in favor of Kessler on Saturday night.

Those eager to bet on boxing this weekend should consider a parlay bet on Ward and Kessler on the BetUS sportsbook for what appears to be easy money. In addition, it will give online sports betting sharps an opportunity to analyze two of the more dangerous fighters taking part in the Super Six tourney, and a chance to evaluate the option of placing a futures bet on either one of them.