ODDS: STEVENSON VS. YOSHINO; RODRIGUEZ VS. GONZALEZ; AKHMADALIEV VS. TAPALES & MORE

By: Jay Calderon‍

On Saturday, April 8, at the Boeing Center at Tech Port, San Antonio, Texas, and live on DAZN, world titlist Jesse Rodriguez will take on Cristian Gonzalez with a vacant portion of the Flyweight crown on the line.

Rodriguez enters the contest a massive favorite, coming in at a -3000 to Gonzalez' +1260. This is particularly wide when you consider this is a fight in the lower weight classes.

Fights below 126 pounds can often be hard to predict as many fighters in those divisions have less stoppages, and thus, have to rely upon scorecards more often. They also punch quicker, making the judging of those more challenging.

Still, Rodriguez does have solid power for the weight and has shown tremendous talent, so the odds make sense in that context.

The over/under is set at 9.5 rounds with -120 on either side. This is a well set line as it makes it very tough to call. If I was forced, I would take the over -- but just barely.

In the co-featured bout of the evening, Jr. Featherweight multi-titlist Murodjon Akhmadaliev will take on top ten contender Marlon Tapales.

Coming into the contest as a -480 favorite, Akhmadaliev seems a safe bet to make. However, the value isn't quite there when you consider what you have to risk for any reasonably profitable return.

At a +330, you get decent value at 3-1 for the underdog Tapales. And he's talented enough to be considered a live 'dog. However, I would argue there's a reason Akhmadaliev is the favorite, and would personally stay away from both lines.

The over/under is set at 9.5 rounds, with -125 for the over and -115 for the under. I like this line. I believe this one goes the distance, and you are even given an extra round than usual in a fight I think many could see going to the cards.

To check out my Prediction for Akhmadaliev vs. Tapales, click here.

On the east coast, airing live on ESPN from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, former Jr. Lightweight world champion Shakur Stevenson will battle fellow unbeaten Shuichiro Yoshino in the former's 135 pound debut.

The talented American Stevenson is a sizable favorite, coming in at a clip of -1600. A loss would be a massive shock, as the odds suggest, and you get little value in taking on that type of line, in my opinion.

If you're interested in a (potentially no-hoper) long shot, Yoshino could peak you're interested coming in at +820. It's not that he seems all that capable of pulling off the upset, but the return would be substantial. And Stevenson is moving up, so you never know. But...y'know.

To the surprise of no one, the over/under is set at 10.5 rounds for this one, with the over at a clip of -375 and the under standing at +260. Depending on how you look at this one, you could justify either pick. However, I'm obviously leaning towards a longer fight and would go with the over in this one if I were to bet.

To check out the Prediction for Stevenson vs. Yoshino, click here.

Also on Saturday, at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, and live on ESPN, world Jr. Flyweight champion Kenshiro Teraji will take on late replacement Anthony Olascuagua.

Teraji, originally slated to face fellow titlist Jonathan Gonzalez before the latter fell ill with pneumonia and withdrew from the contest, will enter the newly-slated bout at a -550 clip.

Teraji is a damn good fighter, and he's facing a substitution. So, you expect him to be a reasonable sized favorite. Especially when Olascuagua, who steps into the bout as a +350 underdog, has only had 5 professional bouts against limited opposition.

In my opinion, because of the (lack of) value for a Teraji bet, and the inexperience of Olascuagua, the money line seems like an area to avoid. However, the over/under might entice me.

The over/under is set at 10.5 rounds with the over at -115 and the under at -125. The odds are slightly favoring a shorter fight and so am I. Especially with a replacement foe, you have the added chance of a quick night's work.

Finally, at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, and live on Showtime, 154 pound contender Sebastian Fundora will take on Brian Mendoza in Jr. Middleweight action.

The undefeated Fundora will step into the ring a -1100 favorite over his foe, and that's fair enough considering the potential in Sebastian. However, Mendoza does keep it semi-interesting.

Mendoza has played the spoiler a few times, and is in the best form of his career. Considering all of that, plus the fact that Sebastian has been hurt and has a massive cut to make the wake -- you never know. As a +620, Mendoza is a legit live 'dog in this one.

The over/under is set at 10.5 for this one, with the over at -200 with the under at +140. Personally, the under is a very attractive option for me in this one, and a small to medium bet for me makes sense.

To check out the rest of the schedule, including betting odds, click here.

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