Tips for Tikay

[Tal]

Cliffs for TfT:

It's a really odd situation, where New Zealand rugby player Sonny Bill Williams is having time out of egg chasing to be a professional fisticuffer. He's fighting François Botha, who has been a significantly more accomplished fighter but is also famously fat. Shannon Briggs fat.

This time around, Botha is trimmer than we are used to seeing him (not that you would notice, compared to the utterly ripped SBW) and that suggests the bookies are opposing the wrong guy.

The biggest concern seems to be the authenticity of the fight, but the weight suggests Botha is taking it seriously. Hence the recommend.

Bazza, if I'm being simplistic/incorrect, feel free to put Fred straight

[Tal]

Beaten to the punch.

Even threw in the Latin.

Et tu, Tikay?

[tikay]

Cliffs for TfT:

It's a really odd situation, where New Zealand rugby player Sonny Bill Williams is having time out of egg chasing to be a professional fisticuffer. He's fighting François Botha, who has been a significantly more accomplished fighter but is also famously fat. Shannon Briggs fat.

This time around, Botha is trimmer than we are used to seeing him (not that you would notice, compared to the utterly ripped SBW) and that suggests the bookies are opposing the wrong guy.

The biggest concern seems to be the authenticity of the fight, but the weight suggests Botha is taking it seriously. Hence the recommend.

Bazza, if I'm being simplistic/incorrect, feel free to put Fred straight

That's really appreciated Tal, thank you. Very few of us here have any understanding of the boxing world.

[Tal]

From a NZ paper this morning:

Conventional boxing wisdom suggests Francois Botha hasn't got a dogs' show against Sonny Bill Williams in their World Boxing Association heavyweight title fight- although the loquacious South African's chihuahua apparently begs to differ.

"My dog Peanut said 'knock him out', that's what must I do," growled Botha as the 44-year-old played his part as the main event's undisputed showman today.

After complaining about the funereal atmosphere at yesterday's press call, "The White Buffalo" ensured the traditional pre-fight weigh-in was an entertaining prelude to Williams' bid for the vacant WBA International heavyweight belt.

Turning up punctually and sporting dark glasses and a red bandana, Botha certainly stood out at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre as he told no one in particular what and how he was going to deal with the multi-sport star.

"Ah, he's showed up, so at least there's going to be a fight, I thought he was scared and not showing up" said Botha as Williams turned up fashionably late - by 16 minutes.
"Now the Buffalo can take some neck bones and crack some ribs."

Compared to the supremely conditioned former All Black, Botha appears more accustomed to devouring ribs - although he at least stripped down in better shape than some of Williams' previous punching bags.

"It's the lowest (weight) the Buffalo has been in years. If the Buffalo is 113 (kg), the Buffalo is in great shape."
Perhaps assuming his goal weight was unattainable Botha playfully patted his paunch before tipping the scales at 115.25kg.

Williams, meanwhile, clenched his six pack and weighed in at 107kg even - the first of many advantages he could utilise over a fight scheduled for 12 three-minute rounds.

The 27-year-old is younger, taller and carries superior conditioning into a clash that was postponed last November because Williams injured a pectoral muscle while playing rugby in Japan.

Once the scales were set aside the combatants stared each other down - a light-hearted exercise where Williams poked the South African's tummy without retaliation.

Williams, who is undefeated in his five fights, is the $A1.60 favourite with bookmaker TABSportsbet but concedes ground in one boxing-specific craft.

"The showman's come out in him. He's been talking it up," said Williams, who adopts a more constrained persona before stepping into the ring.

"It's a privilege to fight him, but I won't be asking for his signature inside the ring."

That was about as belligerent as Williams managed after the duo shook hands and embraced.

Hard for boxers these days to look and sound ridiculous but every now and then someone manages it.

[tikay]

Botha may be overwight, but I'm not sure I'd fancy giving him a right hander. Here he is in former days, fighting someone called Evander Holyfield.

Click to see full-size image.

[tikay]

For balance, & before you all go down the local LBO, I should add that since then, he has put a little weight on.

Click to see full-size image.

[Tal]

I can't even begin to ask.

[tikay]

Daily Summary, as @ 0840, Thursday February 7th                              

PROFIT on Month = £315.50

Unsettled Bets  - £765.00




https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Aia1Hxq-NDNWdFk3UmlTSXMzTjRBTVNfOWRndVFsZHc#gid=19

[tikay]

Daily Report as @ 0850, Thursday February 7th

We made a profit of £90 yesterday.

3 bets completed, one loser, one winner, one push.

I have writtten back in the £20 for the bet on Pacos Ferreira, after I originally entered it as a loser, so a free £20 there.

The one that went the wrong way was Katongo, ACN Top Scorer, which never really got out of the traps. There has been very little ACN interest in the UK, apart from Clubs bemoaning the temporary loss of players, & Fred never really got revved up by ACN eiither. For those interested, the Final will be between Nigeria & Burkina Faso, which implies it will be held in Benin.  <<<< note geographical feeble joke

Our winner last night was England, £40 @ 9/4, England to beat Brazil, which they did, after a little huffing & puffing. This was down to redarmi. Reds is more of a mentor than tipster here, as his personal punting method does not really align with Fred, so this was a nice fillip. WP Reds.

Our General Election bet begins in earnest shortly, should be a good sweat. The Tories have now settled down as favourites, but oddly, Ladbrokes have pushed UKIP out to 14/1.

http://www.oddschecker.com/politics-and-election/eastleigh/winning-party

[Bazzaboy]

Cliffs for TfT:

It's a really odd situation, where New Zealand rugby player Sonny Bill Williams is having time out of egg chasing to be a professional fisticuffer. He's fighting François Botha, who has been a significantly more accomplished fighter but is also famously fat. Shannon Briggs fat.

This time around, Botha is trimmer than we are used to seeing him (not that you would notice, compared to the utterly ripped SBW) and that suggests the bookies are opposing the wrong guy.

The biggest concern seems to be the authenticity of the fight, but the weight suggests Botha is taking it seriously. Hence the recommend.

Bazza, if I'm being simplistic/incorrect, feel free to put Fred straight

That's pretty much it. If this fight is legit then 6/5 is huge.

Obv I am of the opinion that it is legit hence the recommend.

[scotty2hatty]

The Ultimate Fighter is a reality TV show where the winner gets a contract in the UFC. No betting opportunities but this is up there with the best KOs ever so thought I'd share it.

[tikay]

I am anticipating a Darts Bet incoming.

For the record, I have backed it now, before the price goes, & will post the details once the Recommend arrives. (See "Winter of Darts").

[BigAdz]

Not a recommend for Fred, but thought it maybe of interest to one or two.

3.40 at Clonmel- Magnanimity, see the return of a horse that has always looked to have masses of potential, and is considered a National horse by the trainer. It has looked for some time to my eyes to have had a breathing problem, but have been told it is now sorted and its first run back today. Has plenty of ground and distance form, and only try at the course was second(albeit beaten a way) to Sizing Europe

Its often the time to catch them, first time after the wind op, and if it has worked he wont be similar value again for a while. So a bit of a banzai, but at , I fancy worth a tickle

[DungBeetle]

I recommend Bristol City as value to beat Forest at home at 2/1 at Pinnacle on Saturday.  Still value at 9/5 elsewhere imo

City have new life under O'Driscoll and Forest are in turmoil and playing woefully.

[TightEnd]

The Ireland v England game in the 6N on Sunday will be really tight

Should be less than a score either way at the end

Ireland have home advantage, a kicker who will pot them from anywhere in the oppo's half, plenty of flair in the backs and a strong pack

England are in form, have a kicker who will pot them from anywhere in the oppo's half, and a strong pack. Less flair out the back, probably

It is really close

http://www.oddschecker.com/rugby-union/six-nations/ireland-v-england/handicaps

Would like to recommend £3 the draw at 20-1. Feel that will be a possibility quite a long way through the match, and for little money you'll get the sweat...


This is not a recommend, but the likelihood of a Sin bin/yellow card is as close to a certainty as you can get, yet you can get 1/2.

http://www.oddschecker.com/rugby-union/six-nations/ireland-v-england/will-there-be-a-sin-binning

In a close one, with the breakdowns fiercely contested, with Ireland in particular cynical, there will be a yellow or two

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elsewhere Wales have picked the right team, on form! Tipuric comes into the back row, Hibbard in at hooker

I can't back them in Paris against the French who have to turn in a performance though

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Scotland v Italy

Can't back Scotland at Odds-on. Unconvinced Italy will travel well either


No bets in the other two games for me