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.

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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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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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