BoxRec

Bookies odds as follows:

Dodson 7/2
Dickinson 7/2
Llewellyn Davies 5/1
Joe Smyth 11/2
Michael Banbula 12/1
Menay Edwards 14/1
Jack Morris 20/1
Billy Slate 25/1
Any Other 22/1

Favourite Tony Dodson and dark horse Michael Banbula have been paired together in the first round of Prizefighter.

The former British champion is the headline act for the Light-Heavyweights II, but faces a stiff task at Olympia on January 29, following the draw - made by Nathan Cleverly on Ringside.

Banbula is on a five-fight unbeaten run which includes a win over former Prizefighter winner Tony Oakey and a draw with Tony Jeffries, while Scouser Dodson is the biggest name in the draw.

The first quarter-final of the night will be between Billy Slate and Jack Morris, the final addition to the eight-man line-up who will be battling it out for the £32,000 prize, live on Sky Sports HD and for the first time, in 3D.

The second bout will see 'The Blessed One' Llewellyn Davies take on Travis Dickinson, brother of another Prizefighter champion Jon-Lewis and a man who knocked out George Groves in the amateurs.

Dodson and Banbula will be third in the ring with the last of the quarter-finals bringing together Joe Smyth from St Albans and a man who calls himself The Emperor, Menay Edwards.

The draw

QUARTER-FINALS
Quarter-final 1 - Billy Slate v Jack Morris
Quarter-final 2 - Llewellyn Davies v Travis Dickinson
Quarter-final 3 - Tony Dodson v Michael Banbula
Quarter-final 4 - Joe Smyth v Menay Edwards
SEMI-FINALS
Semi-final 1 - Slate/Morris v Davie/Dicikinson
Semi-final 2- Dodson/Banbula v Smyth/Edwards
FINAL- Winner SF1 v Winner SF2

Also, for anybody with Sky, there is a half hour preview show on Sky Sports 1 this evening at 6:30pm.

Dodson is the only one of these guys I've seen fighting so all I could do was go through records and watch the preview on Sky last night.

Dodson really does seem up for it. The two key fights seem to be Dodson v Banbula and Davies v Dickinson. I think the winners of those bouts will meet in the final. Davies has had just five fights, winning them all and I don’t think he has lost a round. Dickinson has had 7 fights and has won them all but one was close to a guy with a 23-44-4 record where he was cut above both eyes. I think I would just about opt for Davies on that basis but it's difficult to compare the records. Banbula is undefeated in his last five fights but is only 11-25-4 and has zero KO’s. Dodson on the other hand has far more experience than any of these guys and has fought at British level and has even been in with Froch. He has to be favourite really and the 7/2 being offered by Bet365 is big, but my concern is that there always seems to be some sort of excuse with him and I’m not sure he’d be as suited to three round fights as say Davies whom has only been fighting in four rounders so far and is quick. I think speed and being a fast starter goes a long way in this competition and the fact that he doesn’t seem to have lost a round makes him look a decent bet to me.

So my bets will most likely be:

Win: Davies @ 5/1
Saver: Dodson @ 7/2
Final: Dodson v Davies @ 9/2

Would love to hear views of people whom have seen some of these other guys in action, particularly Davies and Dickinson.

I think this is pick-em Prizefighter, if pressed for a winner I'd probably plump for Banbula (or the winner of Banbula-Dodson))

I tend to watch the first round of fights before I start betting

Going for a home town pick with Llewy.

Just feel his hand speed and movement will be ideal for this format and I will certainly be having a little dabble at 5's.

Davies oozes confidence and charisma. He definitely can talk the talk and I hope he can back it up.

It's a very lopsided event this time. Some of the novices with as little as 2,4 and 6 bouts against pretty poor opposition too, surely shouldn't be in there against the likes of Dodson.

THEBUTCH wrote:It's a very lopsided event this time. Some of the novices with as little as 2,4 and 6 bouts against pretty poor opposition too, surely shouldn't be in there against the likes of Dodson.

So far the poll suggests there are only two without a chance. This looks open to me - assuming Dodson doesn't perform - and judging by the above, most don't think he will.

Dodson wont even make it to the final...Dickenson/Davies winner will take the 32k

Was going to start a new thread regarding this. Missed Ringside last night so hopefully catch a replay tonight.

Unlike many I am quite interested in this but no little about most the field. Only knowing bits about Dodson, Dckinson and Banbula.

I think its wide open and there could be a surprise, relly find it quite intriguing.

I was hoping for any kind of information such as amateur records, performances you may have seen – anything really.

Mainly interested in Menay Edwards, Joe Smyth and Llewellyn Davies.

All I know is Smyth and Edwards captained their country in some international amateur events. Smyth was beaten by a guy with a record of 1-3-1, though don’t know of the circumstances.

Davies seems quite outspoken and confident as does Menay who blames recent inactivity on people ducking him.

All seem to be natural LHs according to records.

Also read that Davies played for Coventry and North End at football while he was in his teens – so not sure how long he has been boxing and taking it seriously as a career.

All input about any of the fighters is appreciated. Cheers.

Justin Jones is on standby.

Don't wish any fighter any ill will but would love to see him get a shot in this...

I'll go with my pal Davies,He's very fit,fast,strong and talented and his minds in the right place,but when it comes to gambling on prizefighter I usually invest small in the outsiders than big in the faves.

johnswan1 wrote:Bookies odds as follows:

Dodson 7/2
Dickinson 7/2
Llewellyn Davies 5/1
Joe Smyth 11/2
Michael Banbula 12/1
Menay Edwards 14/1
Jack Morris 20/1
Billy Slate 25/1
Any Other 22/1

Favourite Tony Dodson and dark horse Michael Banbula have been paired together in the first round of Prizefighter.

The former British champion is the headline act for the Light-Heavyweights II, but faces a stiff task at Olympia on January 29, following the draw - made by Nathan Cleverly on Ringside.

Banbula is on a five-fight unbeaten run which includes a win over former Prizefighter winner Tony Oakey and a draw with Tony Jeffries, while Scouser Dodson is the biggest name in the draw.

The first quarter-final of the night will be between Billy Slate and Jack Morris, the final addition to the eight-man line-up who will be battling it out for the £32,000 prize, live on Sky Sports HD and for the first time, in 3D.

The second bout will see 'The Blessed One' Llewellyn Davies take on Travis Dickinson, brother of another Prizefighter champion Jon-Lewis and a man who knocked out George Groves in the amateurs.

Dodson and Banbula will be third in the ring with the last of the quarter-finals bringing together Joe Smyth from St Albans and a man who calls himself The Emperor, Menay Edwards.

The draw

QUARTER-FINALS
Quarter-final 1 - Billy Slate v Jack Morris
Quarter-final 2 - Llewellyn Davies v Travis Dickinson
Quarter-final 3 - Tony Dodson v Michael Banbula
Quarter-final 4 - Joe Smyth v Menay Edwards
SEMI-FINALS
Semi-final 1 - Slate/Morris v Davie/Dicikinson
Semi-final 2- Dodson/Banbula v Smyth/Edwards
FINAL- Winner SF1 v Winner SF2

Banbula =massive price,get on at 12s

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/bo ... -28063433/

FAVOURITE Tony Dodson is thrilled to have drawn Michael Banbula in Prizefighter.

The Garston Warrior makes his bow as a light-heavyweight on Saturday in the high octane elimination tournament having forged a successful career at 12st.

Boasting bar far the most accomplished professional record in the eight man field, Dodson (24-6-1) will pit his experience against the suffocating style of Banbula and says the quality will tell.

“"I'm very happy with the draw,” said Dodson.

“Michael Banbula is a spoiler and has every chance of causing an upset.

“He has beaten Tony Oakey and drawn with Tony Jeffries but I am a different level to a washed up Oakey and average Jeffries. Over three rounds I will smash him.

"It is of course not going to be an easy night and I will have to work hard for the full three minutes of every round.

"But the first fight will just warm me up and I will get better because I'm a 12 round fighter and one who always gets better as the fight goes on.”

http://www.boxingnewsonline.net/bn08/detail.asp?id=2203

THERE’S one man who certainly doesn’t think that Llewellyn Davies is an underdog in Saturday’s light heavyweight Prizefighter – the man himself.

The Coventry stylist is one of the eight men in the one-night, three-rounds-a-fight, winner-take-all tournament at the Olympia in London. While not the rank outsider, Davies is the unknown quantity of Saturday’s bill, having had just five professional fights although he has won them all – and three inside the distance.

But the 27-year-old warns his opponents underestimating him will come at their peril. And, after captaining the Welsh boxing team as an amateur, “The Blessed One” insists he has the skills to rival anybody come fight night.

He said: “If any of the fighters in this competition write me off, the biggest shock they are going to have on the night is when I hit them on the chin and they are picking themselves up off the floor.

“I wouldn’t have been employed by Paul Smith as his chief sparring partner for the James DeGale fight, or Jamie Moore for Ryan Rhodes, if I wasn’t any good. I am a switch-hitting southpaw, they don’t come much more awkward than me.

“People ask me if I fancy my chances, well I would never put myself on national TV if I didn’t think I was going to win. In fact, I wouldn’t play you at pool tomorrow, unless I thought I was going to win. I am a winner and, on the night, I know I have got the style and versatility to beat any of those guys.”

Davies has been swotting up on his potential opponents for Saturday night and already has the inside track on Michael Banbula, who his twin brother Rhys beat in 2009. His sibling is the one with experience of the light-heavyweight division but has now gone up to cruiserweight, while Llewellyn has stepped up from super-middle. Both believe Saturday is going to be a good night but it’s not just in the ring where Davies is looking to make an impact – Prizefighter is his opportunity to entertain as well as succeed.

Two weeks ago the eight fighters met for the first time in the Sky Sports studios two and left with a better understanding of the men they could soon be getting into the ring with. For Davies, he couldn’t get out of there quickly enough – his thoughts were on what to have for dinner as he left after failing to be impressed with his rivals’ inability to talk the talk.

To make the most of Prizefighter – and most importantly win it – Davies believes you must possess the total package.

He said: “We are in the entertainment business and, when I went to the studios a couple of weeks ago, I sat down with everyone else and I was bored!

“The minute I walked in the room I said ‘come on then, the cameras are here, where are the characters? You are not playing the game gentlemen.’

“It’s not just about the fights, it’s about personalities and the bigger picture – people buying tickets to come and watch you in the future. You have got to come across as an individual, don’t just fight great three times, get to the final and the minute you come out of the ring don’t say anything to anyone for the next three or four months.

“As lovely as those fighters are, you are not selling yourself.”

Johnswan enjoyed Reading that post.

Just trying to get as much info and opinions as possible as I'm going to this and think Prizefighter is always great for betting as the bookies are often clueless.

Also, Dodson will be on Ringside this evening, along with Tony Oakey and Junior Witter.

Glenn McCrory for Sky:

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528, ... 06,00.html

If there's one thing Prizefighter has taught us is you don't need big names to make good fights.

I think it's fair to say this line-up does not have as many names we might know as usual, but then again the last super-bantamweight tournament was the same and that was one of the best we've seen.

The fact that it's at light-heavy means we will have some big punchers on display, but there are also boxers and movers, experienced fighters and young kids.

It's the usual good Prizefighter mix and that means the formbook can be torn up here and now. The last time the light-heavies were involved, Ovill McKenzie came from nowhere to win it and that is a perfect example of what can happen over the three rounds.

McKenzie of course is waiting for a rematch with Commonwealth champion Tony Bellew and that is also what makes this tournament great; it usually gives guys a shot at a title.

Of course, for most of these lads, the £32,000 prize money is a purse they can only dream of but what we have seen recently is that winning Prizefighter usually leads to a shot at a British, Commonwealth and in some cases - like Willie Casey and Audley Harrison - a world title.

That is great for all of them. Whether they are like Tony Dodson and looking to kick-start their career or whether they have had a handful of fights like Billy Slate, Jack Morris or Menay Edwards, winning this opens doors.

Normally the younger inexperienced guys wouldn't get close to a title shot after so few fights but Prizefighter has become such a part of our sport that winning it gives you a massive profile boost.

It shows how well it has fitted into the British boxing calendar. Judging by its popularity it is here to stay and it is always a terrific atmosphere. It does bring different fans to the sport because it is so entertaining, rarely dull and it is a great way to attract new people to the sport.

As always, I have no idea who is going to win this one. Dodson is the favourite, but that means nothing, and he does have it all to lose, so is perhaps under more pressure.

Plus he's got a tough first round to deal with against Michael Banbula, who is the other experienced fighter in the field and is in good form and has just taken Tony Jeffries to a draw. Looking at the draw, I think the winner of those two will be in the final.

In the other half of the draw, Travis Dickinson is a lad I know well. He is a Geordie lad and he and his brother Jon-Lewis have trained at my gym and of course, there is Prizefighter history in the blood! Sadly Jon-Lewis has gone the wrong way and lost two since winning his title but Travis is heavy-handed and can box well.

He has a great amateur pedigree too; he was a junior champion, boxed for England plenty of times and I think that might count for a lot on Saturday night. But he also has a tough job first up against Llewellyn Davies. Me and my fighter Akaash 'Ca$h' Hussain on Friday night and can tell you he is up for it!

He certainly doesn't lack confidence and the way he was shadow boxing and hitting the pads with his brother suggests he might be a bit of a handful.

A lot of these fighters are new to the pro game so they are still used to the three-round format, whereas the more experienced guys are not. And that probably makes it more of a lottery than usual!

Glenn's guide to the Prizefighters

JOE SMYTH: One of the unknowns on show. But he was National Schools champion and with four KO's in seven wins might well carry a decent dig on him. One of those who will still be used to fighting three rounds.

BILLY SLATE: I can't think of a less experienced Prizefighter, but he's won both his pro fights and sometimes in this tournament, ignorance can be bliss.

JACK MORRIS: Another one we know little or nothing about, although he lost to Michael Banbula so revenge might come into play - if he gets past the first round.

MENAY EDWARDS: You've got to love a guy who calls himself The Emperor and from what I know he does throw a lot of punches and has sparred with Jeffries. A tall southpaw as well, which might give him an advantage.

TONY DODSON: He is the one that has it all to lose. Prizefighter can rejuvenate a fighter's career if they win, but you wonder where Dodson goes if he doesn't. Defeat will be a bitter pill to swallow.

TRAVIS DICKINSON: He can punch - he KO'd George Groves in the amateurs - and he does get his shots off well, with both hands. One of those who is not long out of the three-round game, but I do wonder about his stamina.

MICHAEL BANBULA: His career had a slow start but he's coming into form and would be one of those I would put in the dark horse bracket. He fights Dodson first, so will have a big hand in the outcome overall.

LLEWELLYN DAVIES: Looked fast, flash and very confident in the dressing room last week and his record suggests there is power in those fast hands. One of those who is undefeated and doesn't know how to lose, as yet.

AND THE WINNER IS? I am going to go for Travis Dickinson. I do think we are looking at a final between the winner of his fight with Davies and Dodson against Banbula. Dodson is obviously the name, the favourite, but that rarely counts for anything in Prizefighter and - if his preparation has been good - Dickinson has the tools to do well here. Fresh from the amateurs, with knockout power, I fancy him to upset the odds. But I wouldn't put any money on it!

The draw

QUARTER-FINALS
Quarter-final 1 - Billy Slate v Jack Morris
Quarter-final 2 - Llewellyn Davies v Travis Dickinson
Quarter-final 3 - Tony Dodson v Michael Banbula
Quarter-final 4 - Joe Smyth v Menay Edwards
SEMI-FINALS
Semi-final 1- Slate/Morris v Davies/Dicikinson
Semi-final 2- Dodson/Banbula v Smyth/Edwards
FINAL- Winner SF1 v Winner SF2

Prizefighter Light-Heavyweights II Ticket Update: £20 unreserved, £40 ringside and £120 VIP are now all SOLD OUT. £30 unreserved and £50 ringside are still available - tickets are on sale at SeeTickets.com or through Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900.

Got my money on Davies and will be travelling down for it. Really looking forward to this, the quarter final line up is good as it's hard to call the winner in any of them and there is the potential for a changing of the guard-esque final (davies/dickinson v Dodson)

I really like Davies to win Prize Fighter. Hasn't lost a round yet to my knowledge and has decent power. If he beats Travis then he'll go on to win it me thinks.

Going to put money on Davies, Dodson, to win outright.

My money is on Davies i was in the gym in Manchester the other week and this lad is fast!! Someone mentioned he has played professional football as well and you can see it the man is an athlete which on a show like prizefighter im sure will stand him in good stead!!

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/bo ... -28069811/

by Philip Kirkbride, Liverpool Echo

TONY DODSON says weight on the scales has taken a load off his mind.

On the eve of Prizefighter, the 30-year-old believes his move to light-heavyweight could be the defining moment in an already accomplished career.

A former British title holder at 12st, Dodson reckons the additional pounds have given him a new lease of life ahead of the race for £32,000 tomorrow night in London.

Dodson (24-6-1) - who meets Michael Banbula (11-25) in the quarter-finals - however refutes that the tag of tournament favourite brings with it unwanted baggage and the history of disappointment.

Prizefighter so often galvanises the underdog into victory against the odds but Dodson is adamant the rest of the eight-man field will only pocket his respect.

"The extra 10 pounds are making all the difference, I feel like a different person,” declared the ‘Garston Warrior’.

“I feel nice and sharp and for the first time in a long time I have enjoyed every part of my training, there has been no pressure.

"I feel much happier and all I hope is that I've not left it too late. I feel good and I feel strong at the weight and hope this is the start of bigger and better things for me.

"I've been training like a Trojan and I'm a warrior in the ring so will always do anything that is required to win.

"All the lads in the tournament are dangerous and every single one of them gets my respect - until it's time to fight. “Not one of the others is in my league or have been in the trenches like I have, it's a nasty place. I can't wait to see how they react when we go there.

"I've got more knockdowns on my record than the others have wins."

Went for dickinson but wouldn't be surprised if Edwards springs an upset. My predictions for the tournament;

QUARTER-FINALS
Quarter-final 1 - Billy Slate v Jack Morris Too close to call. Dont know anything about either fighter so tentatively picked the guy with more fights under his belt
Quarter-final 2 - Llewellyn Davies v Travis Dickinson
Quarter-final 3 - Tony Dodson v Michael Banbula Again close to call but Banbula is on a run at the moment so favour him
Quarter-final 4 - Joe Smyth v Menay Edwards

SEMI-FINALS
Semi-final 1 - Morris v Dickinson
Semi-final 2- Banbula v Edwards

FINAL- Dickinson v Edwards

Not sure where all this professional footballer has come from and i've never heard of Coventry North End! Mate of mine played with him at Cov Boys but that's about it!

Quite surprised by the amount of people choosing banbula.

johnswan1 wrote:http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/bo ... -28063433/

“He has beaten Tony Oakey and drawn with Tony Jeffries but I am a different level to a washed up Oakey and average Jeffries. Over three rounds I will smash him.”

Oooooh-eeeerr! This guy friends with Richard Keys??