talkSPORT betting tips – Best boxing bets and expert advice for Ryan vs Harper
Sandy Ryan returns to fight in the UK this weekend with a tough match-up against Terri Harper.
The bout will take place on the undercard of Dalton Smith’s showdown with Jose Zepeda in Sheffield, meaning Derby’s Ryan and Harper of Doncaster should be well supported in South Yorkshire.
Ryan is defending her WBO welterweight title for the second time, while Harper holds the WBA super welterweight belt, but that is not on the line on Saturday.
Tips:
- Sandy Ryan to win @ 1/3
- Fight to go the distance yes @ 1/5
- Sandy Ryan to win by decision or technical decision @ 8/15
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Ryan looking for response after McCaskill bout
Sandy Ryan is back fighting in the UK after making her US debut last time out against Jessica McCaskill.
Ryan holds the WBO welterweight belt and was bidding to unify the division against McCaskill.
The Derby native appeared to have done enough to claim a career-best win, but was left bitterly frustrated as the bout was ruled a draw.
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After failing to secure a rematch with the American, Ryan has lined up a tough assignment against two-weight world champion Harper in what could be a close affair.
Harper is the underdog as she drops down in weight to challenge for the welterweight title, so Ryan is the fighter who is more comfortable at this weight.
The 30-year-old’s performance against an elite level boxer in McCaskill also suggests she has enough quality to retain her belt on Saturday.
Don’t expect an early finish at the Sheffield Arena
Ryan holds a 6-1-1 record, but only two of her wins have come inside the distance and both of those successes came in her first three fights, against opponents with losing records.
She has one defeat on her record and that came via a split decision to Erica Anabella
Farias, with Ryan then avenging that loss with a unanimous decision victory.
Harper is 14-1-2 and seven of her 17 fights have had early finishes, six of her wins and one defeat, but each of her last four have gone the full distance.
Neither of these fighters boasts the kind of one-punch power that can end a contest early and both are fairly durable.
This clash is more likely to be a technical battle rather than a firefight and that suggests the judges will be required to determine the outcome.
Take Ryan to prevail on points
Following on from the above, a Ryan win on points looks the best option in the method of victory market at 8/15.
Ryan’s record is perhaps a little deceptive as she could have been awarded the win against Farias and she was also unlucky to only draw with McCaskill, so she could quite easily be an 8-0 fighter with six wins on points.
Harper is a serious threat and clearly has the better CV, with a victory over Hannah Rankin and a draw with Natasha Jonas on her record, but Ryan comes into this bout with a point to prove after her contentious draw last time out.
That display showed she can cope with top-class opponents and she could be a bit too slick for Harper this weekend.
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