If you are looking at how to bet on boxing this weekend, look no further than this interesting main event for the vacant WBO Intercontinental super bantamweight title between Ionut Baluta and Dennis McCann in London.
With this bout being arguably the best fight on the boxing schedule this weekend, let’s break down how it might play out and what fighter you should bet on. We will look at trends, boxing news, and past performances and analyze all the betting lines available to arrive at the best pick possible. Read more for the complete betting analysis and official Baluta vs McCann prediction ahead of making your bets this week.
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Baluta vs. McCann Betting Trends
- Ionut Baluta is 3-2 in his last five appearances in the ring.
- Dennis McCann is 5-0 in his last five bouts.
- Baluta has been the betting underdog in every single professional bout that sportsbooks have had lines for. (His last six bouts)
- McCann has been the betting favorite in every professional bout.
- Baluta has three KOs out of his 16 professional boxing victories.
- McCann has eight KOs out of his 14 professional boxing victories.
How to Bet on Baluta vs. McCann
Before you make a boxing prediction, you need to check all the boxes. Those boxes include looking at both fighters’ records, recent trends, and even previewing all of the available betting lines for the bout.
Coming into this week, McCann is the betting favorite at -650, and Baluta can be found at around +410 to get the upset victory. Baluta has been the underdog his whole career, and he’s used to it–he has derailed plenty of prospects that were supposed to run right through him.
This super bantamweight bout is favored at -280 to reach the scorecards. Something to note about these smaller weight divisions in boxing is that there aren’t many knockouts. McCann is considered a big puncher for the division, and he only has eight KOs against not-so-great opponents.
Baluta is a very dangerous opponent for the 22-year-old prospect McCann. Baluta has beaten undefeated prospects and even former world champions on the scorecards the last few years and can really drag this fight into deep waters. McCann has yet to go 12 rounds so far in his career.
On a technical level of this matchup, McCann is a very explosive southpaw with a lot of power in his punches for a super bantamweight. Baluta has the height and reach advantage, but he will need to land some stiff jabs to be able to control the distance enough for McCann to not be able to get inside on him.
Baluta often engages opponents in gritty battles, slightly outperforming them and persuading judges with scorecard victories. McCann comes into the ring with the mindset of setting up and finding big shots to knock his opponents out.
Baluta vs. McCann Betting Picks
The official Baluta vs McCann prediction is that this will be a tough decision win for McCann. The boxing odds are unfortunately not portraying how tough of a fight this could be for McCann, so you might have to get crafty on what line to bet on.
It’s justifiable to lean towards Baluta with his recent performances and these odds, but it’s going to be tough for him to pull away on scorecards in London. There will always be a little pull for the A-side of the card in boxing.
You can get McCann winning by a decision at -155. Given the strong odds and Baluta’s endurance, envisioning a full 12-round bout is straightforward and reasonable. Baluta’s potential success in later rounds could uncomfortably threaten the outcome of this fight, adding a serious twist.
If you are one to hedge your bets or even just don’t want to follow our Baluta vs McCann Prediction, you can get Baluta to win a decision at +650. This is even a fight that is worth putting a little money on a ‘draw’ at +1800. It’s easy to imagine it being a pretty wild fight with both athletes finding success.
In conclusion, the wisest wager is on McCann’s victory come Friday night in London, securing his triumph. His speed and power will be very tough for Baluta to handle early on, and there’s nothing that would make you think that McCann won’t be in shape for a 12-round fight.
Top Sportsbooks Odds
MyBookie: McCann -500
Bovada: McCann -575
BetOnline: McCann -450
BetUs: McCann -650
BetNow: McCann -650
Bonus! Other Fights Worth Placing a Bet On
There aren’t too many bouts on the boxing schedule this weekend that have favorable odds for the common sports bettor. One boxing match that you could win big with is Money Powell IV vs. Shawn McCalmnan.
Take that super middleweight matchup to end inside the distance at +175. You can also get Shawn McCalman at underdog odds, and he is +600 to win in a KO. That is the underdog pick of the weekend for sure in the boxing world.
Outside of boxing, UFC 292 is coming to Boston this weekend with a great card full of fights. Aljamain Sterling is set to defend his bantamweight title against surging superstar Sean O’Malley in a beautiful clash of different styles.
On that UFC card, Zhang Weili is also defending her belt, making the trip from China to go up against a tough Amanda Lemos. Then Ireland’s Ian Garry is set to test his skill against UFC veteran Neil Magny. The comeback of Chris Weidman follows his recuperation from an infamous injury, marking a significant moment in MMA history.
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