Boxing: Managers' pounds 50,000 bet

Frank Warren and Mickey Duff struck a pounds 50,000 bet yesterday on the outcome of Saturday's World Boxing Council super-middleweight title fight between the champion, Robin Reid, and Henry Wharton.

Wharton's manager Duff said: "It is the biggest bet I have had in boxing since I won pounds 100,000 when Wilfred Benitez beat Roberto Duran nearly 20 years ago."

Duff will be investing around pounds 35,000, while Wharton and his trainer, Gary Atkin, will put up the rest of the cash.

"I'm putting my money where my mouth is." Warren said. "I think Robin is a very underrated fighter. If Robin boxes the way we are talking about, I think he will win big."

Warren added: "It's an intriguing fight. Has Robin Reid got what it takes to confirm what he did in Italy in winning the title? Henry Wharton has been to the well twice and this is his last chance."

Wharton lost title attempts in 1994 against Nigel Benn (WBC) and Chris Eubank (World Boxing Organisation) and he was a comfortable points loser on each occasion.