Brodie's last stand

The second big fight of the weekend is an all-British affair as Scott Harrison defends his WBO featherweight title against Michael Brodie, also at the Manchester Arena.

Harrison, a Glaswegian, is a 2/5 (1.40) favourite for the contest, while Brodie, who'll be making his fourth attempt to win a world title, is 15/8 (2.87) to win in front of his home crowd.

A war-of-words between the two has livened up the bout, but in theory, Brodie looks up against it, though as Harrison is a tough, durable fighter. Despite his draw with Victor Polo in his last fight, his last four victories have all been inside the distance. Bet365 go 7/4 (2.75) that the champion wins by knockout, technical KO or disqualification. It's 7-1 for a similar result in Brodie's favour.

The bookies don't think it'll go to points, though, as they offer 4/7 (1.56) that it's over inside 11.5 rounds, while it's 5/4 (2.25) that it goes into the final half-minute. Harrison has been talking up knocking out his opponent, and a KO in rounds 1-3 is 11/1 (12.00) while rounds 4-6 is 9/1 (10.00).

One final thing. Harrison's camp has also been upset by the use of four English judges for the fight, and given that his last contest ended in a draw, and that Brodie has been the subject of some controversial decisions, the offer of 25/1 (26.00) on anothert drawn bout could prove to be rather generous.