In a 12-round WBC featherweight title bout, Gary Russell Jr. and Mark Magsayo meet Saturday at the Borgata Hotel Casino in Atlantic City, N.J. The main card is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET, and the fight is expected to start at approximately 11 p.m. ET. Below, we break down the Russell Jr. vs. Magsayo odds and lines, with boxing picks and predictions.
Russell heads to New Jersey on a seven-bout win streak, including a unanimous-decision win over Tugstsogt Nyambayar last time out at the PPL Center in Allentown, Pa., Feb. 8, 2020.
It’s been nearly two calendar years since GRJ has been in the ring. He elects to fight just once per year, and this will be his sixth title defense since securing the 126-pound belt back in 2015. He skipped that annual fight in 2021 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Russell cites that weak opponents, not a willingness to fight, have been the reason for his lack of fighting more than once per year.
Magsayo, a Filipino fighter, has the legendary trainer Freddie Roach in his corner. He is a powerful puncher who could really give Russell fits. “Magnifico” posted a knockout win over Julio Ceja last time out Aug. 21, 2021, and he had a TKO victory over Pablo Cruz in his bout prior to that April 10, 2021. He has 23 wins and no defeats, with 16 knockout victories in his pro career.
Russell Jr. vs. Magsayo odds and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:05 a.m. ET.
- Gary Russell Jr.: -400 (bet $400 to win $100) | Mark Magsayo: +255 (bet $100 to win $255)
- Total Rounds: 10.5 (Over: -270 | Under: +185)
- Will the fight go the distance? Yes: -210 | No: +150
New to sports betting?
Russell Jr. (-400) is a rather moderate favorite with an implied win probability of 80.00%. A $100 bet on the favorite would return of a profit of just $25.00 with a victory as a chalky wager.
Russell Jr. vs. Magsayo tale of the tape
Gary Russell Jr. (-400)
Record: 31-1-0 (18 KOs)
Height: 5-foot-4.5
Reach: 64 inches
Stance: Southpaw
Play our new free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Mark Magsayo (+255)
Record: 23-0-0 (16 KOs)
Height: 5-foot-6
Reach: 68 inches
Stance: Orthodox
Russell Jr. vs. Magsayo predictions and picks
Russell Jr. (-400) will cost you four times your potential return if you like the favorite. There is likely to be a lot of rust since he hasn’t fought in nearly two full years.
Instead, play MAGSAYO (+255) as a live ‘dog on the 2-way line. He is a powerful puncher who is a little raw and inexperienced, but he has a good corner and has been fighting on a regular basis while cutting his teeth against plenty of competition. It’s a potentially rusty veteran versus a young fighter with momentum, hungry to score a signature victory. Magsayo is a far more attractive value.
In addition, while Over 10.5 Rounds (-270) is a little on the expensive side, if you want a little action on this fight without necessarily declaring a winner, YES (-210): FIGHT TO GO THE DISTANCE is a worthwhile play.
Visit Boxing Junkie for more fight news and analysis.
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=2676]