Jaime Munguia didn't want to wait around for the likes of Demetrius Andrade or Jermall Charlo. He wanted to get back into the ring in early 2022. The 25-year-old is getting his wish as he takes on D'Mitrius Ballard on Saturday from Plaza Monumental de Playas de Tijuana in Tijuana, Mexico, which can be seen worldwide on DAZN (excluding Mexico).
As always, with a big-time boxing card, there are certainly plenty of bets to be made. Let's take a look at some of them.
Jaime Munguia vs. D'Mitrius Ballard odds
Jaime Munguia: -1400
D'Mitrius Ballard: +750
(All odds via BetMGM)
BetMGM (as of Thursday, Feb. 17) has Munguia installed as a massive favorite — coming in at -1400, meaning you'd need to bet $1,400 to win $100. Meanwhile, Ballard is a +750, meaning if you pluck down $100, you will win $750 if he can pull off the upset.
Since vacating the WBO junior middleweight title and moving up to 160 pounds in January 2020, Munguia (38-0, 30 KOs) is 4-0, with three of those wins coming by knockout. The lone decision victory was in his most recent outing in November, beating Gabe Rosado in an all-action affair.
Ballard (21-0-1, 13 KOs) comes off a lackluster showing, going the distance in a decision win over Paul Valenzuela Jr. on the Munguia-Rosado undercard.
Munguia vs. Ballard prediction
It's not surprising Munguia is the favorite, considering how's he looked so far in his middleweight run.
Munguia's showed vast improvement after linking up with Hall of Famer Erik Morales. Everything Munguia's learned under Morales' tutelage came together in the Rosado. He proved he's more than just a power puncher. Munguia exemplified excellent shot placement, good footwork, throwing combinations, and improved cardio down the stretch in a grueling contest. He's becoming a complete fighter that most didn't expect to happen so quickly. The perception had been Munguia would always have to rely on his power to get him out of trouble. However, moving up in weight and working alongside Morales has proven to be the recipe Munguia needed.
To be fair to Ballard, while looking sluggish against Valenzuela, it was the first time he'd competed in 23 months. But then you remember, he went to a majority draw with Yamaguchi Falcao in his previous bout, and before that, a no-decision against Elias Espadas before that. He's never been in a 12-round fight. So how's he going to react if the fight goes into the championship rounds as he's never faced anyone close to the caliber of Munguia? The fight isn't going to go anywhere near the tenth round.
A good majority of these odds don't make much sense from a betting perspective. You want to win money, not spend a ton on securing a little bit.
The best current bet on the board is Munguia winning via stoppage in rounds four-six at +280. Munguia stopped both Tureano Johnson and Kamil Szeremeta in the sixth round in two of his three stoppage wins at middleweight. I expect the same thing to happen as Munguia's power and improved shot placement will be too much for Ballard to overcome.
I'd make a decent size wager on Munguia winning in rounds four-six.
Muehlhausen's pick: Jaime Munguia
Best odds: Jaime Munguia via stoppage in rounds four-six at +280
More Munguia vs. Ballard odds
Method of victory
Munguia by KO/TKO/Technical decision or DQ: -375
Munguia on points: +350
Ballard by KO/TKO/Technical decision or DQ: +1400
Ballard on points: +1400
Tie: +2500