Mark Williams has rolled back the years to enjoy a successful 2024 (Picture: VCG via Getty Images)
Mike Tyson has already discovered the one opponent you can’t beat is Father Time – is Ronnie O’Sullivan going through the same learning process?
Iron Mike was easily beaten on points by limited YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Texas at the weekend and looked every part of his 58 years, landing just 18 punches in the eight-round contest.
O’Sullivan will celebrate his 49th birthday on December 5, just four days after snooker’s UK Championship, which starts at the Barbican in York on Saturday, reaches its thrilling conclusion.
The Rocket is all the rage to be crowned champion for a record-extending ninth time after winning last year’s title and he is the top seed.
He has won the world championship seven times, a record he shares with Stephen Hendry, and at his peak he was as devastating on the green baize as former undisputed world heavyweight champion Tyson was on the canvas in the boxing ring.
O’Sullivan is also good enough to be currently ranked world No.5 and since beating Ding Junhui in this event 12 months ago he has won the Masters and the World Grand Prix in January and the first World Masters of Snooker in Saudi Arabia. Since then, however, Ronnie has mostly flamed out.
Ronnie O’Sullivan is a sporting legend but is not currently at his glorious best (Picture: Getty Images)
He obviously stands a better chance of adding this silverware to his amazing collection of trophies than Tyson had of beating Paul, but it makes no sense to back the second favourite to win the first of this season’s three Triple Crown events at odds of just 11/2 with Betfred.
Judd Trump, the world No.1, has won three titles this year and is the ante-post favourite at 4/1 with William Hill, while reigning world champion Kyren Wilson is 8/1 with the same firm.
But Hills offers 20/1 on Mark Williams taking the title and the Welshman, who is fresh from winning the Champion of Champions in Bolton at the weekend after reaching the final of the inaugural Saudi Arabia Masters in September, is definitely worth an each-way bet at that huge price.
Who knows, maybe this 49-year-old is one golden oldie who can take Father Time to extra-time.
• The FedExCup Fall RSM Classic tees off on Thursday with Lucas Aberg defending the title he won last year. The Swede is making his first start since an operation in September to repair a torn miniscus in his left knee and will be eager to make an immediate impact on his return to the golf course.
Use some of the winnings from our successful 4/1 bet on Rory McIlroy to win the DP World Championship on Sunday on Ryder Cup star Aberg at 10/1 with Sky Bet. Also go each-way with Brian Harman at 25/1 with the same firm, Ladbrokes and Coral, and Harris English and Ben Griffin, who are both 30/1 with Betfair.
• Italy, who have reached the final of the Billie Jean King Cup, can gatecrash Rafa Nadal’s farewell to tennis before retiring by winning the Davis Cup in Malaga with world No.1 Jannik Sinner leading them to victory at 7/4 with Sky Bet and Bet Victor.
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