Hughie Fury v Sam Sexton: Favourite to Prove he belongs at Top level

11/05/2018 | Categories: Boxing | Published by: AC

Updated: 06/10/2024

Contents show

Fury makes his first appearance since his failed world title challenge but he's not taking things easy. Betfair's boxing writer Frankie Monkhouse landed three winners from three tips-off last weekend including Bellew by KO/ TKO. Read his views on the Hughie Fury v Sam Sexton bout.

[fcrp_feat_sc sc_id=”15389″]

Hughie Fury v Sam Sexton

Saturday, 21:00 BST
Live on Channel 5

Big time boxing is back on terrestrial TV in a rare treat for fans who don't pay the ever-increasing monthly subscription fees for satellite television. We have a good, honest scrap on our hands to mark the occasion too. Taking place at the Bolton Whites Hotel, Hughie Fury builds his first appearance since narrowly losing out in a world title battle vs Joseph Parker .

His opponent on the night will be the well-travelled Sam Sexton who brings vital experience having shared a ring with domestic stars such as Dereck Chisora, Martin Rogan, David Price and Gary Cornish. He's on a nine-fight unbeaten run and puts his British heavyweight title on the line. He's not here to play dead either.

Fury played it safe last day

This is, on paper, a step down for Hughie Fury but it's a fight the 6ft 6inch orthodox needs to win if he's to get back to where he wants to be- challenging and winning world titles. The progressive 23 -year-old was unlucky in the eyes of many to lose a majority decision to Parker at the Manchester Arena last summer for the WBO title, but the beaten human simply didn't seem to do enough to rip the strap from the champion's waist. A valiant effort, yes, but he failed to roll the dice and gamble, instead looking to nick a phases win which is always a risky strategy .

There's plenty of improvement in Fury however and we will see it here as he looks to show just how much he learned from the night with a return to winning routes. He's certainly not taking an easy route back either, challenging for the Lonsdale title after eight months out. Will that period of inactivity affect his chances? The betting surely doesn't think so and Hughie is a red-hot 1/40 fav through the Betfair Sportsbook to get the nod. We keep digging .

Fury famously knocked Larry Olumamiwo out inside a round back in December 2015, but he hasn't stopped an opponent since with his next three testing the scoring judges. A points win constructs more appeal at 2/1 or those who fancy an 11 th career KO/ TKO outcome will have to make do with the 4/9 at the Betfair sportsbook.

Both these prices are available now on the Betfair Sportsbook .

Sam wears the underdog label well

Sam Sexton has flown under the radar a little since the glory days of beating Rogan in a double-header for British and Commonwealth titles. Following those wins in 2009 the Norfolk puncher was cut-down in nine by Chisora in Birmingham and battered in four by Price in front of a Liverpool audience. The 6ft 2inch orthodox was forced to take a step back to the bread and butter of small dorm shows to build his record back up again .

He did just that, winning eight fights on the bouncing but his breakthrough came last time when claiming number nine courtesy of an upset win over Scotsman Gary Cornish in Edinburgh late last year. Written off by many before the first bell we assured flashes of Sexton's old class when boxing his way to a phases verdict, grabbing the vacant British title in the process, scores of 116-114, 115-114 and 116-113 all but aiming his opponent's career .

Not many assured that going, especially in the stands that night, but Sam timed his comeback to perfection and he has made a bit of a name for himself as a human who loves to turn the tables on odds compilers. He'll have to do it again with 18.00 on the Betfair Exchange about a successful defense. That cost tells a tale. A phases win is outsider of the plenty at 33/1, the KO/ TKO 25/1, both Betfair Sportsbook .

Sexton has three KO defeats on his record

It's difficult to take Sexton on in his current form and he'll certainly have a part to play in an entertaining battle, but Fury is a man going places in a hurry and he'll have confidence to burn having proven himself worth a place among the division's elite. With a bit more luck he could've been getting ready to defend his world title .

This is a fight Hughie must win but it's also a fight he must look good in. His opponent has three losses on his record already with each of those coming by way of knockout- Chisora( twice) and Price. Fury can add his name to that list with an inside the distance win at 4/9. Those after a bit more can try their luck on rounds 7- 12 at 11/10 (Betfair Sportsbook).