THE odds on a Joseph Parker victory are dropping as his world heavyweight unification showdown with Anthony Joshua draws close, with punters getting a taste for the upset, but a cheeky fiver on the outsider may not be the best Joshua-Parker bet this weekend.
William Hill are offering decent odds on 9/2 for a Parker victory, but if you really believe the WBO champion is going to add Joshua’s IBF and WBA straps to his collection, better value can be found in naming the mode of victory.
Parker appears to be built for speed, having lost significant weight in the build-up to this showdown. Odds on a points victory for the 26-year-old are as long as 16/1 which, considering he’s won four of his last six bouts via 12-round decision, might tempt some punters. Furthermore, two of those recent points victories were majority verdicts and Parker to win on a majority decision (two judges favour him, the other notches a draw) this weekend is a massive 125/1.
Betway, whose odds on Parker are shorter at 4/1, today reported that punters were taking a chance on the underdog to halt Joshua around the halfway mark.
“All the pre-fight interest thus far has been with Joseph Parker at 4/1, with big-hitters seemingly wary of lumping on Joshua at 2/11,” said a Betway spokesperson.
“Parker has also been popular in individual rounds betting, particularly rounds six and seven which can be backed at 66/1, while Joshua rounds four to six have also been popular at 11/4.”
A Joshua victory does appear the most likely and how long Parker lasts could well come down to how Parker approaches the fight.
If he comes out all guns blazing then, one presumes, Joshua will win inside the schedule. Odds vary from 28/1 for a last round finish, 22/1 for the first round, with the favourite rounds (six and seven) as low as 10/1.
Parker looks tough, though. Which makes a Joshua unanimous decision triumph for the Watford man worth looking considering at 6/1.
