With a thrilling championship bout between Vasilly Lomachenko and Luke Campbell now, in the rear-view mirror, it’s time to take a look at the week ahead in boxing. Unfortunately, there’s only one title fight on the line this coming week, even though there is another intriguing matchup going down in Los Angeles this week. Let’s find out who’s in the squared circle this week and who’s looking like they’ll come out victorious in the boxing odds.
Top Boxing Betting Picks of the Week – September 2nd Edition
Azat Hovhannisyan (17-3, 14 KOs) vs. Franklin Manzanilla (18-5, 17 KOs)
- When: Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019 at 10:00 PM ET
- Where: Belasco Theater, Los Angeles, California, USA
Azat Hovhannisyan is 31-years-old and stands 5’6” with a 65” reach. The the native of Yerevan, Armenia enters this affair coming of three straight knockout victories including a win over Glenn Porras the last time out. A win here will put Hovhannisyan one step away from a world title shot!
Franklin Manzanilla is also 31-years-old and stands 5’5½” with a 67.5-inch reach. The Venezuelan native fought well but came up short in his title shot against champion Rey Vargas for the WBC Super Bantamweight World Title in February to snap a two-fight winning streak.
Prediction
While both fighters in this matchup will be desperate for a win that could put them right back in line for another shot at the title, I’m going with Azat Hovhannisyan based mostly on the fact that he’s looked fantastic in winning each of his last three fights via knockout. Hovhannisyan has won 11 of his last 12 fights with his only loss coming against Rey Vargas and that tells me it’s going to take a special effort from Manzanilla to get the win here, which, he just won’t be able to come up with.
Pick: Azat Hovhannisyan Via Unanimous Decision
Sammy Salva (17-0) vs. Pedro Taduran (13-2), 12 rounds, for vacant IBF strawweight title
- When: Sept. 7, 2019 at 10:00 PM ET
- Where: Taguig City, Philippines
Sammy Salva is 22-years-old and stands 5’1”. The Philippines native is unbeaten in 17 career fights and comes into this bout off a unanimous decision win over Rene Mark Cuarto in March. Padro Taduran is also 22-years-old and he’s won seven of his last eight fights including a KO win over Jeffrey Galero in December with his only loss along the way coming against WBC mini-flyweight champion Wanheng Menayothin a year ago.
Prediction
While the “minimumweight division” may not get much attention outside of the Asian speaking world, this upcoming bout looks like it could be a thriller that challenges to be one of the best fights of the year. Having said that, I’m going with Pedro Taduran to get the huge win over Sammy Salva for one big reason. Taduran has fought a far better caliber of fighters than Salva has, including his loss to Menayothin, which, by the way, he went the distance in. Salva’s record looks impressive but he’s yet to beat an international fighter and that means he lacks big stage experience. This one will go the distance, but Taduran wins!
Pick: Pedro Taduran Via Unanimous Decision
