We have a full Saturday boxing slate, with multiple fights across TV platforms and from different parts of the world – all with multiple titles at stake.
Let’s take a look at our boxing predictions, picks and best bets and see if there is any value in some plays we can take advantage of.
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Shakur Stevenson vs. Shuichiro Yoshino
WBC lightweight title eliminator (ESPN/ESPN+)
Stevenson returns to ESPN to stake his claim as the very best in the lightweight division. Stevenson is coming into this fight with an undefeated record of 19-0 (9 KOs). His last fight was against Robson Conceição, which he won via 12-round unanimous decision.
Yoshino also comes in with an undefeated record of 16-0 (12 KOs). His last fight was 5 months ago against Masayoshi Nakatani, which he won via 6th-round KO.
Stevenson’s game plan is generally to not get hit and use his boxing skills and footwork to outbox his opponents, but he did show a bit more aggression against Oscar Valdez and Jamel Herring. He’s very good defensively, but many people find his style to be somewhat less entertaining when he’s not being pushed. Yoshino is a naturally aggressive boxer and a natural lightweight who will hopefully take the fight to Stevenson, test his chin and make him reply in kind. If not, it could be a bit of a chess match.
I’m expecting the younger Stevenson to utilize his superior skills throughout to remain unbeaten. I think Stevenson will have to be more aggressive to win this fight. I’m liking the stoppage in this one. I think with fights like Haney-Lomachenko and Davis-Garcia on the horizon, Stevenson will have to show out to keep pace. Give me Stevenson inside 12 rounds.
Pick: Stevenson by KO, TKO or DQ (+220 at DraftKings)
Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez vs. Cristian Gonzalez
Vacant WBO flyweight championship (DAZN)
Live from the Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio, Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez will meet Cristian “El Chicharito” Gonzalez for the vacant WBO title in a 12-round flyweight bout.
Rodríguez is coming into this fight with an undefeated record of 17-0 (11 KOs). His last fight was against Israel González, which he won via 12-round unanimous decision.
González comes in with a record of 15-1 (5 KOs). His last fight was against Juan Alejo Zuniga, which he won via 1st-round KO.
Rodriguez is a huge favorite, as he should be. Gonzalez does not possess much power and technically is not as skilled as Rodriguez. This should be a good spot for a TKO for Rodriguez and his second world title in as many divisions.
Pick: Rodriguez by KO, TKO or DQ (-145 at DraftKings)
Raymond Ford vs. Jessie Magdaleno
Rodriguez vs. Gonzalez undercard (DAZN)
This will probably steal the show on this DAZN-televised event.
Magdaleno is coming into this fight with a record of 29-1 (18 KOs). His last fight was against Edy Valencia Mercado, which he won via 8-round unanimous decision.
Ford comes in with an undefeated record of 13-0-1 (7 KOs). He won his last fight via 8th-round KO.
This is a step-up fight for Ford and, to me, is close to a 50-50 fight. Oddsmakers don’t see it that way. Sportsbooks currently list Ford as a -450 favorite.
Based on these heavy odds alone, the play is Magdeleno. He has only lost once and that was to former super bantamweight titlist Isaac Dogboe. He currently is priced at +320, which has a 24% implied probability.
No matter how you slice it, +320 is good value for a veteran with one loss who’s taking on a prospect.
Pick: Magdeleno to win (+320 at DraftKings)
Sebastian Fundora vs. Brian Mendoza
WBC interim junior middleweight title (Showtime)
This championship bout between Sebastian Fundora and Brian Mendoza will take place at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
Fundora is coming into this fight with an undefeated record of 20-0-1 (13 KOs). His last fight was 6 months ago against Carlos Ocampo, which he won via 12-round unanimous decision.
Mendoza comes in with a record of 21-2 (15 KOs). His last fight was against Jeison Rosario, which he won via 5th-round KO.
This is going to be a fun fight, but really to me, there is only one outcome: Fundora by stoppage.
Pick: Fundora by KO, TKO or DQ (+110 at DraftKings)
