Allegiant Boxing Showdown, Alvarez vs Crawford, Betting Preview
Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas plays host to one of the biggest nights in boxing this Saturday (early hours of Sunday in South Africa) as Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford collide in what will make up a blockbuster undisputed super middleweight title fight. The action doesn’t stop there though, and we will also have a look at two additional fights on the Main Card from a betting point of view.
Click here to bet on the full fight card.
SAUL “CANELO” ÁLVAREZ vs TERENCE CRAWFORD
Undisputed Super Middleweight Title Fight – Main Event (12 Rounds):
Canelo Álvarez enters this contest as the established king of the super middleweight division and one of boxing’s true modern greats. With a professional record of 63 wins, 2 defeats, and 2 draws, the Mexican has fought and beaten an array of world-class opposition across four weight divisions, earning 39 knockouts along the way.
Canelo is renowned for his sharp counterpunching, compact defensive guard, and his ability to break opponents down with punishing body shots. Even as he has moved up in weight throughout his career, he carried his power and composure with him, consistently dictating fights against larger opponents which makes things easier for him in his current division.
Recent unanimous decision victories over William Scull in May and Edgar Berlanga last September showcased that he still has the timing, patience, and championship temperament to outclass top contenders and he no doubt has enough in the tank to go the distance this weekend if necessary.
Terence Crawford arrives with a perfect professional record of 41 wins without defeat, including 31 knockouts, and brings with him a reputation as arguably the most complete fighter of his generation.
Also, a four-division world champion, Crawford has demonstrated unrivalled versatility in the ring, seamlessly switching between orthodox and southpaw stances while controlling distance with his sharp jab and counters. He combines patience with ruthless finishing ability, often starting cautiously before finding the openings to take over fights completely in the later stages.
His most recent victory, a unanimous decision over Israil Madrimov roughly a year ago, proved that his skills translate as he climbs into the higher weight classes, and he now seeks to make history by dethroning Canelo at 168lbs (76.2kg), two weight classes above where he last fought.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Canelo 1.55
Crawford 2.35
PREDICTION:
While Crawford is the sharper technician and brings in a perfect record, I feel the difference in size and Canelo’s proven ability at 168lbs will be the defining factor. I am expecting a cagey opening half of the fight, with Crawford having moments of success from range, but once Canelo finds his timing and rhythm, his body work and pressure should begin to tell. I see Álvarez edging ahead on the scorecards and possibly forcing a late stoppage between rounds 10 and 12.
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CALLUM WALSH vs FERNANDO VARGAS JR
Super Welterweight Co-Main Event (10 Rounds):
Callum Walsh, the Irish fighter, makes another big step in his career as he puts his unbeaten record of 14 wins without a loss on the line this weekend. Walsh has shown speed, power and composure in his rise so far and is considered one of the hottest prospects on the scene.
His latest action was in June when he met with Elias Espadas and beat him via a technical decision due to a head clash cut. Prior to this he was on a 4-fight knockout streak with 3 of them coming inside the first three rounds of each bout.
Fernando Vargas Jr, from America, stands across from him with a perfect record of 17-0, and he has ended 15 of those bouts inside the distance. He brings an aggressive approach and comes forward with heavy shots, making him a dangerous test for Walsh at this stage of his career.
Similarly, he has also won 4 of his last 5 fights by early knockout with the remaining encounter resulting in a technical decision triumph. The last time he stepped in the ring was with Gonzalo Gaston Corla in May where he knocked him out in the 4th round.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Walsh 1.28
Vargas Jr 3.40
PREDICTION:
While Vargas Jr will come forward with pressure, I feel Walsh’s sharper technique and discipline will keep him in control. I am predicting Walsh to box smartly behind his jab and claim a decision victory over the 10 rounds.
CHRISTIAN MBILLI vs LESTER MARTINEZ
Interim WBC World Super Middleweight Title – Main Card (10 Rounds):
Christian Mbilli continues his professional climb as he puts his interim WBC belt on the line this Sunday. The Frenchman holds a flawless record of 29-0 with 24 of those wins coming by way of knockout, and his aggressive, high output style make him one of the division’s most exciting contenders.
He last fought in June against Maciej Sulecki and claimed a victory in the 1st round with a brutal uppercut.
Lester Martinez, the Guatemalan fighter, is the man in the opposite corner, and like Mbilli, he is also unbeaten with 19 victories to his name, 16 of which he ended early. He is a boxer who carries genuine finishing power and will be aiming to upset the odds by producing a career defining performance in this clash.
His most recent action was held in March when he took on Joeshon James and overcame him in the 4th round with a knockout.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Mbilli 1.55
Martinez 2.35
PREDICTION:
I believe Mbilli’s relentless pressure and powerful striking will wear Martinez down over the course of the fight. While both men can pack a heavy punch, Mbilli has proven he can maintain his pace, and I think he will score a stoppage in the middle rounds after weathering an early storm.
SUGGESTED BETS:
Alvarez vs Crawford
Alvarez by Decision at 2.20
Walsh vs Vargas Jr
Walsh by Decision at 2.20
Mbilli vs Martinez
Mbilli to win via KO/TKO when betting is available
A 7.50 TREBLE
The treble Alvarez and Walsh by decision and Mbilli to win works out to 7.50 and you can populate your slip using this code 41089653
Note: All odds are correct at time of writing but are subject to change.
