Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano: A Trilogy Showdown
Katie Taylor aims to strengthen her record against Amanda Serrano this Friday, as they clash once more for the undisputed championship in the junior welterweight division at Madison Square Garden in New York City. In their previous encounters, Taylor emerged victorious with a split decision in April 2022, and later sealed a unanimous decision in their rematch last November. Both bouts were tightly contested, fueling anticipation for a trilogy showdown.
Exciting Fights on the Card
In another highly anticipated fight on the card, Alycia Baumgardner will be defending her undisputed junior lightweight title against Jennifer Miranda. This matchup has the potential for an exciting early finish. Meanwhile, on Saturday at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York, a super middleweight clash is set to take place between Edgar Berlanga and Hamzah Sheeraz. Berlanga, known for his explosive start, achieved 16 consecutive first-round stoppages at the start of his career, but has seen a drop in his knockout power lately, with only two stoppages in his last eight bouts.
Co-Main Event and Betting Insights
The co-main event on Saturday also promises excitement as Shakur Stevenson puts his WBC lightweight title on the line against William Zepeda. With Serrano slightly favored against Taylor and Baumgardner listed as the strongest favorite on the all-women’s fight card, bettors are keen to find the most favorable odds. ESPN betting expert Ian Parker provides insights into these matchups, including whether bets on these favorites are worth the risk.
Betting Odds and Strategies
Despite her two losses to Taylor, Serrano is the almost 2-1 betting favorite this time around. While both previous encounters were competitive, Serrano managed to pose significant challenges to Taylor, particularly in moments where she had her opponent in trouble. For this bout, Serrano aims to leverage her advantages—mainly her power and impressive pace.
Bettors eager to take a chance on Serrano can consider various bets: for those who find the -175 odds too steep, they might opt for Serrano winning by decision at -110 as a safer pick, given Taylor’s tenacity and toughness. Additionally, props surrounding Serrano’s power may offer promising odds, such as a bet on Taylor being knocked down (+350) given her age and resilience challenges. For those supporting Taylor, the moneyline is available at +140, or for the high-risk bettor, Taylor getting knocked down yet still winning at +2000 might seem appealing.
In the Baumgardner-Miranda matchup, Baumgardner tops the betting favorites, and the recommended approach would be to bet on her securing a victory by decision at -190 or scoring a knockout at +165. With Baumgardner’s strong KO ratio (7 KOs in 15 fights), betting on her to achieve a stoppage could yield a solid return.
Men’s Card Highlights
On the men’s card, Claressa Shields’ opponent, Marshall, stands as the favorite against Green but caution is advised as Green possesses the capability to pull an upset due to her speed and power. Marshall, returning to the ring after a two-year hiatus, has accolades that could provide an edge, provided she avoids being caught early in the fight.
For the matchup between Berlanga and Sheeraz, Sheeraz is dangerous, but he needs to guard against Berlanga’s renowned first-round ferocity. The odds favor Sheeraz at -135, making it a manageable wager. Additionally, a bet on Sheeraz achieving a KO/TKO at +325 could be a profitable endeavor given his stamina and strength against an opponent known for fading as fights progress.
Stevenson vs. Zepeda: A Cautious Approach
Finally, Stevenson holds the title of the biggest favorite at -1100. For those looking at value in this bout, betting on him winning by decision at -200 is a sound choice, considering Zepeda’s power might necessitate a cautious approach from Stevenson, who tends to favor a point-scoring strategy over seeking KOs. For a twist, taking Stevenson to win by decision while the fight goes the distance at +105 can also present a tempting prospect for savvy bettors.
