Saturday boxing betting tips and fight night predictions: Ortiz can star

Free boxing tips, best bets and analysis for this weekend's fight cards from the UK and US.

Where to watch

Michael Conlan v Miguel Marriaga Fite TV, 9pm Saturday
Dalton Smith v Sam O'Maison DAZN, approx 10pm Saturday
Vergil Ortiz v Michael McKinson DAZN, 3am Sunday

Best bet

Ortiz v McKinson under 7.5 rounds
1pt Evs bet365

Big-fight previews

There are a trio of interesting fights this weekend, but there’s little in the way of a competitive betting heat.

The vacant British super-lightweight title is up for grabs when Dalton Smith and Sam O’Maison clash on Saturday night.

On the evidence of Smith’s victories over Ray Moylette, Mauro Perouene and Nathan Bennett, he already looks a class above British title level.

Thunder rumbled past Lee Appleyard, stopping him in six, to win the English title the last time he was in with a domestic-level opponent and the Sheffield star is likely to cruise to victory against O’Maison.

Michael Conlan is on the comeback trail after his heavy knockout defeat to Leigh Wood last year. The Belfast boxer, who will have a lively home crowd on his side on Saturday, was unbeaten in 16 professional contests up until that point and it will be interesting to see if the gifted amateur can get back in the mix.

Conlan had Wood on the canvas in that bout and he was in control until the latter stages. On the evidence of that performance, Mick should prove too strong for the former three-time world title challenger Miguel Marriaga.

Portsmouth’s unbeaten welterweight Michael McKinson travels to Texas to face the also undefeated Vergil Ortiz Jr.

McKinson shocked Chris Kongo last year, but it would be an even bigger upset if the 17-2 shot got the better of the heavy-hitting Ortiz.

The American has stopped all of his previous 18 opponents and the 24-year-old looks a genuine world-level contender.

McKinson is a likeable boxer but he does look outclassed in Texas and backing the fight to go under the 7.5-round mark looks the best bet of the weekend.

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