Category: Boxing betting odds

Heavyweight title fight: Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev odds, picks and prediction

Breaking down Saturday’s WBA/WBO/IBF heavyweight title fight between Anthony Joshua and Kubrat Pulev, with boxing betting odds and predictions.

In a WBA/WBO/IBF heavyweight title fight, Anthony Joshua and Kubrat Pulev meet Saturday at SSE Arena in London, England. The fighters will battle for Joshua’s three belts. The fight card kicks off at 1 p.m. ET.

Joshua vs. Pulev: Tale of the tape

Joshua (23-1) hasn’t fought since Dec. 7, 2019, a unanimous decision win over Andy Ruiz Jr. in Saudi Arabia, as he avenged a stunning TKO loss to Ruiz on June 1, 2019. Since Dec. 2015, Joshua has racked up impressive wins over Dillian Whyte, Wladimir Klitschko, Alexander Povetkin and Ruiz, just to name a few.

While two of his past four fights have ended up going to the judges, 22 of his 24 bouts as a pro have finished inside the distance. He will be looking for a tidy victory over the 39-year-old challenger, as he takes a step toward a heavyweight unification bout against Tyson Fury.

Pulev (28-1) enters the ring two inches shorter than his counterpart, and with a two-inch reach disadvantage. He is also eight years older than Joshua. Still, he is a difficult hurdle for the Brit and not someone to take lightly. He has just the one loss in his career, to Klitschko, although “The Cobra” enters as a decisive underdog.

While promoter Bob Arum has talked up Pulev’s chances, he is also a co-promoter of Fury. The big bout everyone wants to see, and the titanic payday for all involved, will be a Joshua-Fury fight. No one wants to see Pulev pull the upset here, except for Pulev, his team and a smattering of rowdy Bulgarians in various pubs in Sofia and Plovdiv.

The crowd inside SSE Arena will be limited to 1,000 people.

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Bet $1 on Joshua to win, win an additional $100 (in free bets) if Joshua beats Pulev Saturday, Dec. 12. Place your legal, online sports bets in CO, IN, NJ, TN and WV at BetMGM Sportsbook.

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Joshua vs. Pulev betting odds, predictions and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:35 a.m. ET.

Joshua (-800) is an overwhelming favorite on the 3-way line, costing you eight times your potential return. A bet on Pulev (+500) would be tossing away money, as would a draw (+3300) wager. Let’s get more creative.

The best bet is JOSHUA BY KO/TKO/TECHNICAL DECISION OR DQ (-280). While it’s a little more than I’d normally care to wager, it’s a slam-dunk play. There is very little chance Pulev shocks the world, nor is there a very good chance this one goes the distance. Joshua on points (+350) is tempting, but it’s just not happening.

The Over/Under on how many rounds this fight will go is -120 at Round 8. Take LESS THAN 10 ROUNDS (-200) just to be on the safe side. In addition, looking at Round Group Betting 1, JOSHUA IN ROUNDS 7-9 (+333) is rather attractive with a chance to more than triple your investment.

If you want some action on this bout, place your wagers at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and analysis, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Boxing Junkie:

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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WBA interim junior lightweight title fight: Chris Colbert vs. Jaime Arboleda boxing odds, pick and prediction

Previewing Saturday’s Chris Colbert vs. Jaime Arboleda WBA interim junior lightweight title fight, with boxing betting odds, pick and prediction.

In a WBA interim junior lightweight title fight, Chris Colbert and Jaime Arboleda meet Saturday at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The fighters will battle for Colbert’s WBA interim junior lightweight belt in the 130-pound weight class. The fight card kicks off at 9 p.m. ET on Showtime.

Colbert vs. Arboleda: Tale of the tape

Colbert (14-0) is unbeaten in his 14 career professional bouts with five knockouts. He is just 24 years old, but he has had a meteoric rise through the junior lightweight ranks. He has dropped the likes of Antonio Dubose, Austin Dulay and Titus Williams from the ranks of the unbeaten, all during his first eight professional bouts. In Colbert’s most recent outing he dropped Jezreel Corrales via unanimous decision to attain his interim junior lightweight strap.

Arboleda (16-1) is a punching machine, who will be a tough out for Colbert. He has registered 13 knockout victory in his 17 career fights. He has cobbled together a six-bout winning streak since his only career setback. The Panamanian is no stranger to dropped unbeaten opponents, either, as he handed Victor Betancourt and Jose Saant their first career losses, both in 2019. Arboleda is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Jayson Velez, which was also on Showtime, back in February.

Place your legal, online boxing sports bets in CO, IN, NJ, TN and WV at BetMGM, The King of Sportsbooks! New customer offer: Risk-free first bet. Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

Colbert vs. Arboleda: Odds, betting lines, prediction and pick

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:19 a.m. ET.

Colbert (-1200) is a heavy favorite on the 3-way line, as many expect him to drop Arboleda (+700). While the odds are stacked heavily in Colbert’s favor, he isn’t someone who has recorded many big knockouts, and this one could go well into the night. COLBERT ON POINTS (+100) is even money, and your best bet for method of victory.

If you want some action on this bout, place your wagers at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and analysis, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

See also from Boxing Junkie:

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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WBC/IBF Welterweight Title Fight: Danny Garcia vs. Errol Spence Jr. odds, predictions and picks

Breaking down Saturday’s WBC/IBF Welterweight title fight between Danny Garcia and Errol Spence Jr., with betting odds and predictions.

In a WBC and IBF welterweight title fight, Danny Garcia and Errol Spence Jr. meet Saturday at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The fighters will battle for Spence’s two belts in the 147-pound weight class. The fight card kicks off at 9 p.m. ET on FOX Pay-Per-View.

Garcia vs. Spence Jr. tale of the tape

Garcia (36-2) is a former two-division champion, and he will certainly be no pushover. At 32 years old, he has quite a bit of mileage on his tires. In his 38 career professional bouts, he has posted 21 knockouts, and it’s his devastating left hook which Spence will have to be very careful to defend. His punching power is the most dangerous thing he brings to the table.

Spence (26-0) is looking to rebound from a devastating drunk driving crash in the fall of 2019 in his hometown of Dallas, just two weeks after his split-decision win over Shawn Porter for the WBC strap. He was hospitalized after being thrown from his Ferrari while not wearing a seat belt, and he was in intensive care due to non-life-threatening injuries.

The southpaw could get off to a slow start, perhaps exhibiting a little bit of rust, and potentially some trepidation early on, before he kicks off the training wheels and gets down to business. He has a chance to put all of those out of the ring issues in the rear-view mirror, and set up a giant potential pay day against either veteran Manny Pacquiao, or perhaps a unification fight with Terence Crawford.

This fight will be in front of roughly 11,000 fans.

Place your legal, online boxing sports bets in CO, IN, NJ, TN and WV at BetMGM, The King of Sportsbooks! New customer offer: Risk-free first bet. Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

Garcia vs. Spence Jr. betting odds, predictions and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:40 a.m. ET.

Spence Jr. (-400) will be right at home fighting in the Metroplex, and he carries a lot of weight on his shoulders. He is trying to put that ugly crash in the past, and start making headlines again for his fighting. Look for him to get off to a rather slow start, as Garcia (+300) makes him work for it, but don’t expect the killshot from Garcia by way of that famous left hook. Spence will be able to weather an early storm and get it done in the end. Still, playing the champ on the 3-way line is rather risky.

I like SPENCE ON POINTS (-120) as the best play on this card. It’s a little more than I prefer to risk, but in the round group betting, backing the fight TO GO THE DISTANCE (-228) is a strong play.

If you want some action on this bout, place your wagers at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and analysis, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Boxing Junkie:

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Heavyweight exhibition fight: Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. boxing odds, pick and prediction

Previewing Saturday’s Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. exhibition heavyweight fight, with boxing betting odds, pick and prediction.

In a heavyweight exhibition fight, Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. meet Saturday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The fight card kicks off at 9 p.m. ET on pay-per-view.

Tyson vs. Jones Jr.: Tale of the tape

Tyson (50-6) has wowed fans and talking heads on social media with clips of his workouts, showing off tremendous speed and agility for a fighter at age 54. He looks like the “Iron Mike” of old as he still looks to have amazing power, coupled with lightning speed. There are plenty of people who only dream of being in the kind of shape he is in. However, there are still plenty of questions since it’s been exactly 5,649 days – or just over 15 years – since Tyson has been in the ring for a pro fight.

The last time Jones Jr. (66-9) was in the ring for a professional fight was Feb. 8, 2018, when he beat Scott Sigmon in a one-sided 10-round unanimous decision. Jones’ quickness and technique are what led him to 47 knockouts in his 75 career professional fights.

However, there will be no knockouts in this exhibition as the California State Athletic Commission has reportedly placed pressure on the referee in this bout to limit any hard sparring, with neither fighter permitted to go for a knockout. With Tyson 54 years old and Jones 51, it’s uncertain if either would be capable of that anyway. It will also give the fans who shell out big bucks for the pay-per-view to get their money’s worth. So, that’s a good thing.

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Tyson was once one of the most feared fighters, and it was stunning when he was dropped by Buster Douglas in Tokyo, sending shockwaves through the boxing world. It was also stunning when he took a chomp out of the ear of Evander Holyfield. And who could forget that this is the same guy who has fought the likes of Larry Holmes, Michael Spinks and James “Bonecrusher” Smith, as well as fighting Mitch “Blood” Green in the streets of New York.

The last time Tyson fought professionally was June 11, 2005, when his fight against Kevin McBride was stopped by the referee when Tyson did not come out for the seventh round.

Tyson vs. Jones Jr.: Odds, betting lines, prediction and pick

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 2 a.m. ET.

Perhaps one of the better thing to happen in a strange and difficult 2020 is the fact Tyson and Jones Jr. are getting back in the ring, even if only for an exhibition. Boxing fans deserve this holiday gift.

While Tyson (-228) has looked quick on social media – something that wasn’t around during his heyday – we’ll see how he looks in a real fight. While Sure, JONES (+185) fought some tomato cans in the final days of his career, but he fought as recently as 2018. It isn’t long ago that he was in boxing shape and in that mental space. It’s been 15 years for Tyson, followed by reality shows, movies, tigers, etc. …

All of the hype is on Tyson, and for sentimental reasons. It would be nice to see that fighter dominate one more time, but the smart money, and the tremendous value, is backing JONES (+185) on the 2-way line.

If you want some action on this bout, place your wagers at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and analysis, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

See also from Boxing Junkie:

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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WBO Welterweight Title Fight: Terence Crawford vs. Kell Brook boxing odds, predictions and picks

Previewing Saturday’s Terence Crawford vs. Kell Brook fight, with boxing betting odds, picks, tips and bets.

In a WBO welterweight title fight, Terence Crawford and Kell Brook meet Saturday at the Top Rank Bubble in Las Vegas. The fighters will battle for the belts in the 147-pound weight class. The fight card kicks off at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+, with the main event at 10:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Crawford vs. Brook tale of the tape

Crawford (36-0) puts his unbeaten record on the line, and he is an overwhelming favorite with a near 90-percentage probability of picking up the win Saturday night. He will look to use his punching power and quick hand speed to push past Brook (39-2). His most recent showing came against Egidijus Kavaliauskas in a ninth-round knockout last December, and “Bud” has picked up KO/TKO wins over Jose Benavidez Jr., Jeff Horn, Julius Indongo and Amir Khan, an impressive list of competitors he has conquered. In fact, none of Crawford’s fights have ended up going to the judges all the way since 2016. He is looking to push past this opponent, setting up a fight against someone like Manny Pacquiao, Shawn Porter, Errol Spence Jr. or Keith Thurman.

Brook (39-2) held the IBF welterweight belt for three years from 2014 to 2017, so he is definitely no slouch. His most recent showing was a seventh-round TKO over Mark DeLuca in February, claiming the WBO Inter-Continental light middleweight crown. In the official tale of the tape, he enters this bout with an 11-centimeter disadvantage in terms of reach. He pushed past Porter in 2014, but his star is fading fast. Rust might also be a factor here, as Brook has just one fight under his belt since Dec. 2018. His cardio against one of the division’s best is a huge question.

Place your legal, online boxing sports bets in CO, IN, NJ, TN and WV at BetMGM, The King of Sportsbooks! New customer offer: Risk-free first bet. Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

Crawford vs. Brook betting odds, predictions and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 7:40 a.m. ET.

Crawford (-1429 on the 3-way line) is an overwhelming favorite, and you cannot risk $14.29 for every $1 earned, even if a win seems almost certain. AVOID.

Crawford’s fights in the past four years haven’t needed to get the judges involved, and this one should be no different. A Brook (+700) wager wouldn’t be worth the paper it’s printed upon. Look to CRAWFORD BY KO/TKO/TECHNICAL DECISION OR DQ (-250) for a much better price, albeit still a tad steep for my liking.

The way to make money in these bouts with heavy favorites is to target a block of rounds. I like CRAWFORD IN ROUND 8 (+1000), CRAWFORD IN ROUND 9 (+1000) and CRAWFORD IN ROUND 10 (+1000). Yes, you will lose two of those wagers, but if he wins in one of those rounds, you’ll be well ahead. In fact, even a four-round block isn’t a terrible idea. Or, you can also look to Round Group Betting, choosing CRAWFORD IN ROUNDS 9-12 (+250). If he wins in Rounds 9 through 12, but not on points or a decision, you would cash.

If you want some action on this bout, place your wagers at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and analysis, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Also see:

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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WBC Lightweight Title Fight: Devin Haney vs. Yuriorkis Gamboa boxing odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Devin Haney vs. Yuriorkis Gamboa lightweight fight, with boxing betting odds, picks, tips and bets.

In a WBC lightweight title fight, Devin Haney and Yuriorkis Gamboa meet Saturday at the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, Fla. The fighters will battle for the belts in the 130- and 135-pound weight classes. The fight card kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on DAZN.

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Haney (24-0) heads into this one looking to retain his WBC lightweight strap, and he is an overwhelming favorite to do so. He posted an uninspiring, unanimous-decision victory over Alfredo Santiago in his most recent showing at the Staples Center, keeping his WBC belt. Haney has posted 24 victories in 24 career professional fights, but he faces a lot of criticism. His promoters have been accused of cherry-picking Haney with slam-dunk victories and fighters that he will dominate or those past their primes.

Gamboa (30-3) is coming off a 12th-round TKO loss to Gervonta Davis in Atlanta Dec. 28, for the WBA (regular) lightweight title. It was a tremendous showing against “Tank”, who is now the title holder. So the 38-year-old, four-time Cuban national champion and Olympic gold medalist still has plenty in the tank. The odds say this will be a rout, but he proved against Davis that whomever is on the other side of the ring, they’ll have to work hard for the win.

Legal, online betting in CO, IN, NJ, TN and WV

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Devin Haney vs. Yuriorkis Gamboa betting odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:55 a.m. ET.

Haney (-2500) will cost you 25 times your potential return, and that’s just ridiculous, so avoid playing the favorite on the 3-way line. In other words, you would need to risk $100 for every $4 won. Haney (-3334) is even more expensive on the 2-way line, too, so AVOID.

So let’s get a little more creative, as HANEY BY KO/TKO/TECHNICAL DECISION OR DQ (-400) is a little cheaper but still a little risky. Generally, I rarely go higher than -200 on a prop bet, but it’s OK to make the exception here.

As far as individual-round betting, this is where you can make the most money. Pinpoint three rounds, and take Haney to win. Yes, you will lose two of those bets, but if he comes through with a victory in any of the three rounds, you are still well ahead. I like HANEY IN ROUND 6 (+800), HANEY IN ROUND 7 (+800) and HANEY IN ROUND 8 (+900) for my winning range. If you want a little more insurance, pick one more round. Personally, I like to hedge in a three-round span, though. It has been rather fruitful, especially in MMA title fights. The margin of error is a lot greater in boxing, however, but the strategy can help build your bankroll when done correctly.

If you want some action on this bout, place your wagers at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and analysis, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Super Featherweight Title Fight: Gervonta Davis vs. Leo Santa Cruz boxing odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Gervonta Davis vs. Leo Santa Cruz super featherweight fight, with boxing betting odds, picks, tips and bets.

In a super featherweight title fight, Gervonta Davis and Leo Santa Cruz meet Saturday at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The fighters will battle for the belts in the 130- and 135-pound weight classes. The fight card kicks off at 9 p.m. ET on Showtime Pay-Per-View.

Davis, a.k.a. “Tank”, is the flashy, brash and young fighter, and he could be the next big thing for Mayweather Promotions. He’ll be up against a grizzled veteran in Santa Cruz (37-1-1), a fighter who has had an amazing journey, but is also in the twilight of his career.

Davis (23-0) has tremendous power, and he could end this thing in one punch at any point. In fact, all but one of his fights have been won by knockout. If Santa Cruz is going to win, it is through a lot of effort, working the body feverishly and hoping to wow the judges on style points. It’s not going to happen. Davis is a fine physical specimen, and the biggest concern was whether he’d make weight, as he dips down from 135 pounds. He checked in at 129.75 pounds on Friday, so he’s good to go. Santa Cruz was a touch lower at 129.5 pounds.

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Gervonta Davis vs. Leo Santa Cruz betting odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:50 a.m. ET.

Davis (-589) is the overwhelming favorite to keep on cooking and keep that goose egg in his loss column. You cannot risk nearly six times your potential win, so we’ll need to be more pinpoint. And Santa Cruz (+450) is a tempting play, but he just doesn’t have the same kind of power, and that will hold him back here.

DAVIS (+100) BY KO/TKO/TECHNICAL DECISION OR DQ is even money, and a must-play in this bout. It’s way more economical to go this way than the much, much riskier 3-way fight result. If you want to have a little bit of fun with this fight, pick two or three rounds, and bet lightly on Davis to win at a specific point in the match. I’d suggest a three-round hedge with DAVIS IN ROUND 8 (+1400), DAVIS IN ROUND 9 (+1400) and DAVIS IN ROUND 10 (+1800). If he ends up winning anywhere from Round 8 through 10, you are still well ahead even though you will lose two of the ends on this wager. Just hope it isn’t a short fight, or it ends up going to the judges for a decision after 12.

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If you want some action on this bout, place your wagers at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and analysis, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Lightweight Title Fight: Vasiliy Lomachenko vs. Teofimo Lopez Jr. boxing odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Vasiliy Lomachenko and Teofimo Lopez Jr. lightweight fight, with boxing betting odds, picks, tips and bets.

In a lightweight title fight, Vasiliy Lomachenko and Teofimo Lopez Jr. meet Saturday inside The Bubble at MGM Grand in Las Vegas in a unification fight. Lomachenko enters as the WKO and WBA lightweight title holder, while Lopez holds the IBF lightweight belt. The fight card kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Lomachenko heads into this one with 60.6 average total punches thrown per round, to just 47.4 for Lopez. He is also ahead 21.6 to 17.0 for total punches landed on average per round. In addition, “Loma”, considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters, has a tremendous advantage on jabs, too, throwing 30.4 to 19.1 on average per round. Those stats are across Lomachenko’s past 15 pro bouts, and Lopez’s past eight professional fights.

Lomachenko is a perfect 4-0 since scooting up to the lightweight division back in 2018. However, he has also looked human at the division, as Jose Pedraza and Luke Campbell took him all the way, while Jorge Linares knocked him to the canvas in their bout.

Lopez is looking to become the second-youngest boxer in history to hold at least three world titles in a decision. Only “Iron” Mike Tyson, at 21 years, 37 days, would be ahead of Lopez at 23 years, 85 days.

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Vasiliy Lomachenko vs. Teofimo Lopez Jr. betting odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:45 a.m. ET.

Lomachenko (-400) is a solid champ, but he is definitely not infallible. Since moving to the lightweight division, he is unbeaten, but not dominant. LOPEZ JR. (+300) is a strong play on the 3-way line, as the up-and-comer will be looking for the big blow, and he’ll get it. LOPEZ BY KO/TKO/TECHNICAL DECISION OR DQ (+500) is an outstanding value, too.

In addition, if you really want to make a little extra bread, bet round group betting with LOPEZ IN ROUNDS 5-8 (+1400) and LOPEZ IN ROUNDS 9-12 (+1600) worth small-unit plays. Yes, you will lose one of the wagers, but if Lopez pulls the upset while winning in one of those four-round blocks, you will be well ahead. Taking LOPEZ ON POINTS (+900) is also worth betting lightly, too, although I do not expect it to go the distance. Still, it’s just too tempting to pass up.

If you’re not feeling the upset, and want to play it safe, betting ROUNDS 5-8 (+400) and ROUNDS 9-12 (+500) for the fight end is also worth a play. You can triple up, regardless of fight winner, as long as the fight doesn’t end in ROUNDS 1-4, or go to the judges’ cards.

If you want some action on this bout, place your wagers at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and analysis, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Betting 101: How to bet on boxing for beginners

Looking at the various sports betting options centered around boxing, with betting advice, tips and definitions of key terms.

Wagering on boxing has been very lucrative over the years for bettors. We’ll take a look at ways to minimize risk while maximizing profits, especially for the bettor looking to dip their toe into the pugilism betting pool for the first time.

Boxing betting: Ways to bet

Access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list of today’s sports betting odds and lines.

  • 2-way betting: Each individual bout can simply be wagered upon picking a straight-up winner, similar to a moneyline bet in the other major sports, with a favorite and an underdog.
  • 3-way betting: Each individual bout can be wagered upon picking a winner or by choosing to select a draw (or tie).
  • Method of victory: If you like a fighter to win, but perhaps he is an overwhelming favorite, you can be more specific to mitigate your risk. There are a few different ways a bout can end. A fighter can win on points, either by KO/TKO/Technical Decision or disqualification (DQ).
  • Round betting: Fights, particularly the big-ticket events, can be bet by picking a winner in a particular round. Rather than betting on the 2- or 3-way betting line, it can be more lucrative to bet on a fighter to finish his opponent in a particular round. It’s difficult to pinpoint, and sometimes it’s good to bet on several rounds to be on the safe side, but it can pay off very handsomely.

Boxing betting: Key betting terms to know

  • Favorite: The fighter who is more likely to win the fight will require more than your return on investment.
  • Underdog: On the flip side, this is the fighter not expected to win. It can be more lucrative than taking the favorite, as you will return your stake and plus-money from your wager.
  • Push or Draw: A wager which ends in a tie, which is not a losing ticket, but not a winning ticket, either. You simply receive your wager back.
  • Chalk: This refers to a heavy favorite. For example, -200 and higher is considered heavy chalk.
  • Parlay: If you were to bet two fighters to win on the 2-way line, for example, you would need to win each end of the bet to cash. You can still win a parlay if one end wins and the other is a push.

Boxing betting: How do odds work?

Boxing odds can vary greatly. Sometimes the favorite is not too expensive, but other times, particularly in undercard or preliminary events, the favorite can have rather high odds. For example, if you were to bet a heavy favorite at -800, you would need to risk $80 to profit just $10. An underdog wager at +550 would profit $55 on a $10 bet.

Get some sports betting action by placing a bet with BetMGM today. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter, and follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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