Boxing enthusiasts are in for a rare treat this weekend with a packed schedule featuring major events on three consecutive nights. This provides a unique opportunity to see top talent in action.
This Friday, New York City`s Times Square will host a pay-per-view event showcasing three of boxing`s leading young talents: Teofimo Lopez, Devin Haney, and Ryan Garcia. Lopez is set to defend his WBO junior welterweight championship against Arnold Barboza Jr. Haney will face former junior welterweight titleholder Jose Ramirez, while Garcia headlines the card in a bout against Rolando `Rolly` Romero.
On Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Canelo Alvarez returns to the ring for his first fight of the year, taking on William Scull in a super middleweight title unification match. The busy weekend wraps up on Sunday when the No. 2 pound-for-pound boxer, Naoya Inoue, defends his undisputed featherweight championship against Ramon Cardenas.
Here are the top betting picks for this action-packed boxing weekend.
Ryan Garcia vs. `Rolly` Romero (May 2)
Pick: Under 6.5 rounds. As a significant favorite (nearly 9-to-1), Garcia is expected to finish the fight early, especially against a power puncher like Romero whose defense is considered subpar. If Garcia is successful, a stoppage likely occurs within the first six rounds. If targeting an alternative, under 7.5 rounds is also a viable option.
Devin Haney vs. Jose Ramirez (May 2)
Pick: Haney to win by decision. This bout appears to be a chance for Haney to rebound after his fight against Garcia, which was later changed to a no contest. Haney is a considerable favorite against Ramirez, who is coming off a loss. Given Haney`s typical fighting style, winning by decision is a common outcome, and after his last performance, he will likely be aiming for a safe and convincing victory.
WBO Junior Welterweight Title: Teofimo Lopez Jr. vs. Arnold Barboza Jr. (May 2)
Pick: Lopez to win. Anticipate a competitive back-and-forth contest here. Both fighters possess solid skills and good durability, suggesting the fight could go the distance. However, Lopez has faced tougher competition and holds an edge in power and speed, which could be the decisive factor. It`s unlikely Barboza will present anything Lopez hasn`t encountered before. Lopez is currently around a 2-to-1 favorite. Consider pairing Lopez to win with the over on rounds for better odds if the moneyline price increases.
Undisputed Super Middleweight Title: Canelo Alvarez vs. William Scull (May 3)
Pick: Alvarez to win by KO/TKO. With the odds for a straight win being extremely low, betting on Alvarez via KO or TKO offers much better value. Alvarez is widely recognized as one of the greatest boxers ever and possesses significant knockout power. Against Scull, who is a considerable underdog, it`s more a question of when he finishes the fight rather than if.
Undisputed Featherweight Title: Naoya Inoue vs. Ramon Cardenas (May 4)
Pick: Inoue to win between Rounds 4-6. Inoue is another heavy favorite this weekend, and he is expected to deliver another highlight-reel knockout. Betting on his victory by KO/TKO also has very low odds (around -1000). However, there is value in betting on a specific range of rounds for his win. We have seen in previous fights that while Inoue can be hit early, he often ramps up his attack and takes control in the middle rounds, where he starts to dominate with his pace and power.