Jeamie Tshikeva vs Franklin Ignatius Predictions: Amateur rivals run it back

Former amateur rivals meet at heavyweight this Saturday, October 19 as Jeamie Tshikeva takes on unbeaten Franklin Ignatius. This battle of the big men takes place on the undercard of Adam Azim vs Ohara Davies, as Betfred’s partnership with BOXXER kicks off in style. The bout takes place at the Copper Box in London with Sky Sports Main Event televising.

Here are my Tshikeva vs Ignatius predictions ahead of an intriguing clash.

These men know each other well. While both are in the early days of their professional journeys, they have previous. ‘TKV’ outscored Ignatius by a single point in a 2019 amateur contest. Now Austria-born heavyweight looks to even the series in a huge fight.

Tshikeva has had to learn the hard way what it takes to box as a professional. After amassing a 5-0 record with 3 KOs, ‘TKV’ was stopped by the tough Igor Adiel Macedo due to an utterly horrific cut. A scorching right hand opened the wound on Tshikeva’s eye, ending the fight in the sixth round. 

‘TKV’ has rebounded with a points win over Kostiantyn Dovbyshchenko since. The Ukrainian is only one of two men to take Moses Itauma the distance and recently lost on points to Hughie Fury. It was a solid night’s work for Tshikeva as he looked to put the Macedo result behind him.

Ignatius is 6-0-1, with that draw coming against Hosea Stewart in a result he later avenged. Last time out he beat fan favourite Steve ‘Drago’ Robinson, a result that really put the 30-year-old on the map. Now Ignatius gets perhaps his most robust test yet as a professional.

This is the sort of fight you rarely see early in a boxer’s career. At a stage where many up-and-comers are sharpening their tools against journeymen, these two novice professionals will instead risk their reputations against each other.

That previous encounter adds a layer of seasoning to this excellent contest. Boxing fans have a natural affinity for the heavyweights as it is. But the British big men really have taken the world by storm in recent years. These shores can lay claim to IBF champion Daniel Dubois, recently-dethroned WBC boss Tyson Fury, former unified champion Anthony Joshua and a litany of great names like Fabio Wardley, Derek Chisora and Itauma who all hold world ranking slots. 

Those heights are a little way off for these two boxers, who are each entering their eighth pro fight. But it is a target both men have. An ambition that burns inside them. The winner of this one will be well on their way to domestic title reckoning. The loser will find themselves having to walk a longer road back. It is a brave fight for both men to take, which is what makes it such an irresistible one for the fans.

Tshikeva vs Ignatius Fight Odds

There isn’t much in it between these two. Tshikeva edges it at 8/13 while Ignatius is priced at 13/10. You can back the draw at 16/1.

Tshikeva vs Ignatius Full Card

Michael McKinson vs Tulani Mbenge

Adam Azim vs Ohara Davies 

Dan Azeez vs Lewis Edmondson

Jeamie Tshikeva vs Franklin Ignatius

Anthony Yarde vs Ralfs Vilcans

Francesca Hennessy vs Ana Karla Vaz De Moraes

Shannon Courtenay vs Catherine Tacone Ramos

Sam Hickey vs John Henry Mosquera

Tshikeva vs Ignatius Prediction

Tshikeva has the most power out of the two of them. Both men are coming into their longest fight yet at a scheduled 10 rounds. I think those two facts could combine to give us one particular outcome.

I believe Tshikeva will win this fight by knockout. As both boxers go further than they ever have before, something has to give. I think the greater power of ‘TKV’ will tell down the stretch. I’m tipping Tshikeva to notch the knockout at 6/4.

You can find all our latest boxing betting tips and analysis at our Betfred Insights Boxing page and our latest boxing odds here.