Top Boxing Betting Picks of the Week – August 18th, 2022
Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk step back into the ring to trade fists in Saudi Arabia on Saturday in one of the most anticipated rematches of the year. Usyk upset Joshua in the first bout. The British boxer hopes top turn the tables on the Ukrainian star. In addition to Usyk versus Joshua, Emanuel Navarrete puts his WBO Featherweight title on the line versus Eduardo Baez. Keep reading for boxing odds analysis and free picks for five of this Saturday’s best boxing matches.
Top Boxing Betting Picks of the Week (August 18th, 2022)
Usyk is fighting for more than just his heavyweight titles on Saturday ???????? #UsykJoshua2 pic.twitter.com/e9d0uYdEqY
— ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) August 18, 2022
King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah, Saudia Arabia – DAZN
- When: Saturday, August 20th, 2022. 5:15pm ET.
Filip Hrgovic vs. Zhilei Zhang
29-year-old and undefeated Beijing boxer Zhilei Zhang faces the toughest fighter of his career. Zhang has built a great 24-0-1 record with 19 knockout or technical knockout victories by beating up pugilists that aren’t on his level.
On Saturday, Zhang takes on the talented Filip Hrgovic. The 30 year old is 14-0 with 12 KO or TKO victories. Hrgovic should add a loss to Zhang’s record. But the odds on the favorite don’t justify a bet. The underdog gets the nod.
Boxing Betting Pick: Zhilei Zhang +550
Callum Smith vs. Mathieu Bauderlique
Anybody who looks at Smith’s record, or has seen Callum fight, knows he’s a tough dude. Smith hung with Saul Alvarez in 2020, losing a 12 round unanimous decision. Not only that, but 20 of Smith’s 28 victories have come via TKO or KO. But although Smith is a great boxer, he faces an opponent who has tasted defeat just once. Mathieu Baurderlique has a 21-1 record.
Ah, but the underdog in this has fought mainly in France. French boxers don’t perform well outside of their country. Under the rounds total is the best play.
Boxing Betting Pick: Mathieu Bauderlique Under 7.5 +100
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua // WBO, WBA, IBF Heavyweight Titles
The first match surprised because so many boxing experts touted Joshua as the best heavyweight in the world. Joshua didn’t perform that way, but in reality, he never has.
The underdog in this has always had bad footwork and terrible defense. Usyk outboxed Joshua because he doesn’t have the requisite skills to hang with a pugilist as talented as Usyk is. Don’t expect a different result in the rematch. Usyk wins.
Boxing Betting Pick: Oleksandr Usyk -196
Pechanga Arena, San Diego, CA – ESPN, ESPN+
- When: Saturday, August 20th, 2022. 9pm ET.
Lindolfo Delgado vs. Aguilar Omar Alejandro
29-year-old and undefeated Beijing boxer Zhilei Zhang faces the toughest fighter of his career. Zhang has built a great 24-0-1 record with 19 knockout or technical knockout victories by beating up pugilists that aren’t on his level.
On Saturday, Zhang takes on the talented Filip Hrgovic. The 30 year old is 14-0 with 12 KO or TKO victories. Hrgovic should add a loss to Zhang’s record. But the odds on the favorite don’t justify a bet. The underdog gets the nod.
Boxing Betting Pick: Lindolfo Delgado +162
Emanuel Navarrete vs. Eduardo Baez // WBO Featherweight Title
35-1 with 25 knockout or technical knockout victories, Emanuel Navarrete is one of the top pound for pound boxers in the world. The loss happened way back in 2012. No doubt, Navarrete wins this. The question is whether Eduardo Baez pushes this past the rounds total.
Baez has lost twice, but neither loss happened via a referee stoppage nor via a knockout. Also, Navarrete has won 2 of his last 3 via decision. So although we’d love to pounce on under, especially at +100, over 10.5 is the play.
Boxing Betting Pick: Emanuel Navarrete Over 10.5 -139
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*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.
READ MORE: Top Boxing Betting Picks of the Week – August 25th, 2022
