SharpBetting co-founder

 

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Please provide a brief introduction about your position in sports, sports betting, or any reason why you’ve been invited for this interview.

Having been friends with Chris Fawcett for 30 years, I co-founded SharpBetting.co.uk with him in 2024. We currently have several businesses together.  Chris builds the tech, I run the sales, and we share a passion for the product.  My background is in product development across several growth areas in sports betting and trading.  

How long have you been in the game, how did you end up doing what you now do?

I have lived in London for 25 years. My first job here was in the City and I lasted less than six months working for a stock broker before turning to sports betting and trying some journalism in my spare time.  It was while working in the City that I met a sports betting trading director who was looking for a boxing odds-compiler.  That was a dream job for me at the time and it was the catalyst that would lead to a number of trading and product innovation roles for the next 25 years of my career.

What are your areas of expertise?

Throughout my career I have been responsible for product innovation, be it exploiting new channels, new technologies or entirely new product ideas.  I spent a large part of my recent career in the areas of Risk Management and Customer Profiling.  Much of this experience and many of these skills have helped when it comes to offering our products directly to the consumer.  I've also been a regular speaker at various industry events focussing on areas concerning risk management and customer profiling. 

What is the best live sporting event you have been to (or seen live on TV)?

Easy.  First is Floyd Mayweather versus Oscar De La Hoya at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas which at the time was a record-breaking event. The company that I was working for as their senior boxing trader sent me there as a perk, all expense spared.  I lost money that night having backed De La Hoya but that was soon forgotten when I got a fist-bump from 50 Cent at ringside.  

Second will be the French Open semi-final in 2013 between Djokovic and Nadal, a 5-set thriller in 90 degree heat that John McEnroe described as the best clay court match he had ever witnessed. I had backed Novak in that one.  He lost.  I didn’t get a fist-bump from anyone that time. 

If you could go back in time to be at one live sporting event in history what would it be?

It would have to be Mike Tyson’s loss to Buster Douglas.  We accept it now, but at the time it was unimaginable, Douglas was a 42/1 shot.  People get carried away these days when a 8/1 shot upsets the odds.  

What is the best bet you have ever had (please feel free to brag)?

Hard to say, I’ve had some satisfying big-price boxing draws for small stakes.  I once bought time of first corner on the spreads at 11 minutes in a game that didn’t have a corner until an hour into the match.  That was fun, and lucky.  

In terms of genuinely backing my opinion, at odds-against I had Danny Williams to beat Mike Tyson at 8/1.   In a closer fight, I was convinced Calzaghe would beat Jeff Lacy at odds of 6/4 which was seen as a huge shock at the time.   When David Haye fought Audley Harrison at odds of 1/5  I had the biggest bet of my life.  Audley didn't land a single meaningful punch.   

Mayweather to beat Pacquiao and Hatton were both very significant bets for me at a shade odds-on in both.  

Recently Joe Parker has been my go-to guy in boxing.  I backed him at 6/1 to beat Deontay Wilder in 2023 and at 3/1 to beat Zhilei Zhang in his next fight after that.  

What is the worst bet you have ever had?

I have forgotten most of them.  Probably backing an absolutely shot to pieces Mike Tyson to beat Lennox Lewis.   In my defence I backed him at 3/1 and he went off at 6/4…. And Tyson won the first round.  Still, a terrible bet.  I foolishly backed Hamed to beat Marco Antonio Barrera.   More recently David Haye’s two losses to Tony Bellew did my pockets some damage. 

Most important piece of advice you have received in betting, business, or life in general?

In betting, don't try to be too clever, it is hard enough to get it right, let alone be precise about your predictions.   I tend to only bet on the outright winner markets.   Method Of Victory rarely.   Round-Betting, Correct-Score or Set-Betting...? Absolutely not.   Weighty, short-priced singles… that is my optimal hunting ground and I really don't mind an odds-on shot. 

In business, 1. it is obvious but don’t expect anyone to do it for you, 2. nothing is a reality until the cash is in the bank,  3. if you say you are going to do something, do it.  And 4. Lunch is for wimps.  

In life, the best time to plant a tree is yesterday.  The second best time is today.  It's never too late to start something.

Best feature you have seen on the SharpBetting.co.uk or BetSharp.com sites?

I am biased but I absolutely love the Quick Pick tool for selecting my picks on the SharpBetting site - I have been told the tools on this site are incredibly insightful and also a lot of fun to use.

I am also excited to be opening up access to one of our most successful betting stories... with the SharpBetting football service we offer a free service (as well as a premium model) and we're convinced that punters of all levels will benefit from it.  

How do you know the SharpBetting team?

I am one of the founders.

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