Boxing Bet: Joseph Joyce vs. Zhilei Zhang

Next Saturday, Ryan Garcia throws down against Gervonta Davis in the year’s first super fight, which is the reason there isn’t a ton of boxing action happening this weekend. However, on Saturday, Denzel Bentley and Mikaela Mayer step into the ring. There’s also a WBO Interim Heavyweight Title fight between Joseph Joyce and Zhang Zhilei. Check out boxing odds, analysis, and free picks for five terrific boxing matches happening this weekend.

Boxing Events: Joyce Takes on Zhilei for the WBO Interim Heavyweight Title

Boxing Events: Saturday, April 15

Denzel Bentley -909 vs. Kieran Smith +465

When: Saturday, April 15 at 3:00 p.m. ET
Where: London
TV / Streaming: ESPN+

Kieran Smith is in trouble. Smith is a good boxer. But Kieran’s record is built on beating up lesser opponents. Denzel Bentley shows a 17-2-1 record with 2 losses. Both losses came versus top fighters, Felix Cash in 2021, and 12-0 monster Zhanibek Alimkhanuly last November.

No doubt, Bentley wins this. Smith shouldn’t last the full 12 rounds. So consider betting on the total or on a Denzel knockout prop before backing Bentley on the money line.

Boxing Pick: Denzel Bentley

Bet Denzel Bentley vs. Kieran Smith to Win Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game

Kristina Linardatou +468 vs. Mikaela Mayer -909

When: Saturday, April 15 at 3:00 p.m. ET
Where: London
TV / Streaming: ESPN+

Alycia Baumgardner beat Mikael Mayer in Mayer’s last. Mikaela fell via split-decision. It was Mayer’s first loss of her career. Mikaela didn’t pick a cream puff in the first bout after the initial loss. Christina Linardatou is a good boxer. The underdog in this has lost twice.

Both losses were to top competitors, Delfine Persoon in 2016 and Katie Taylor in 2019. So if you think Mikaela struggles, putting a few bucks on Linardatou makes sense.

Boxing Pick: Kristina Linardatou

Bet Kristina Linardatou vs. Mikaela Mayer to Win Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game

Joseph Joyce -1111 vs. Zhilei Zhang +531

WBO Interim Heavyweight Title
When: Saturday, April 15 at 3:00 p.m. ET
Where: London
TV / Streaming: ESPN+

Joe Joyce versus Zhang Zhilei should be an exceptional fight. The odds suggest Joyce wins, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be a good bout. The underdog has a 24-1-1 record. Zhang heads into this after the first loss of his career, a unanimous decision defeat to Filip Hrgovic.

Joyce heads to the ring with a 15-0 record. What makes the chalk scary is that he’s stopped 14 of his 15 opponents before the final bell. A younger Zhang would stand up to Joyce. But at 39 and with too many tough fights under the belt, Zhang is in trouble. Look for a KO prop.

Boxing Pick: Joe Joyce

Bet Joseph Joyce vs. Zhilei Zhang to Win Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game

Yudai Shigeoka -625 vs. Wilfredo Mendez +357

When: Saturday, April 15 at 3:00 a.m. ET
Where: London
TV / Streaming: ESPN+

The Shigeoka brothers, Yudai and Ginjiro, technically fight on Sunday, but since the bouts happen so early on Sunday morning, we’re listing the two fights as Saturday contests.

Of the two, Yudai has a better chance of beating his opponent than Ginjiro. The more heavily favored of the brothers is 6-0 with 4 stoppage wins. Yudai faces a decent fighter in Wilfredo Mendez. But Mendez has fought primarily in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. He’s never faced a boxer with Yudai Shigeoka’s skills. Yudai wins.

Boxing Pick: Yudai Shigeoka

Bet Yudai Shigeoka vs. Wilfredo Mendez to Win Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game

Rene Mark Cuarto +287 vs. Ginjiro Shigeoka -454

When: Saturday, April 15 at 3:00 p.m. ET
Where: London
TV / Streaming: ESPN+

Ginjiro will struggle against his opponent. Rene Mark Cuarto has more experience and possesses the style to beat the other Shigeoka brother. Ginjiro has a bad habit of standing straight up and throwing with both punches almost to his waist. He doesn’t keep his hands high and throw enough straight punches.

This is bad news for Shigeoka because Cuarto is a master counter puncher. Cuarto will take advantage every time Ginjiro rushes in and starts wailing at Cuarto with his punches low. The dog wins.

Boxing Pick: Rene Mark Cuarto

Bet Rene Mark Cuarto vs. Ginjiro Shigeoka to Win Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game

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