The most anticipated fight so far in 2022 takes on Saturday at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego as former four-division champion and pound-for-pound great Roman "Chocolatito" Gonzalez battles WBC flyweight titlist Julio Cesar Martinez. The expected all-action bout can be seen on DAZN (check your region for availability)
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.
Roman Gonzalez vs. Julio Cesar Martinez odds
Roman Gonzalez: -125
Julio Cesar Martinez: +110
(All odds via BetMGM)
BetMGM (as of Thursday, March 3) has Gonzalez installed as a massive favorite — coming in at -125, meaning you'd need to bet $125 just to win $100. Meanwhile, Martinez is a +110, meaning if you pluck down $100, you will win $110 if the native of Mexico can move up a weight class to secure the victory.
Gonzalez (50-3, 41 KOs) returns after a one-year layoff, where he lost a razor-thin split decision to unified super flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada in one of 2021's best fights. Most felt Gonzalez had done enough to become the unified champion. He was scheduled to face Estrada this weekend, but Estrada withdrew in late January due to COVID-19. Finding a new opponent didn't take as Martinez didn't hesitate to accept.
Martinez (18-1, 14 KOs, two no-contests) is unbeaten in his last 20 fights. He went to a no-contest against McWilliams Arroyo in November due to Arroyo not continuing after an accidental clash of heads.
Roman Gonzalez vs. Julio Cesar Martinez prediction
When the fight was announced, people salivated at the matchup because of the all-action styles Gonzalez and Martinez bring into the ring each time they step through the ropes.
Gonzalez and Martinez like to use angles to throw from unique positions and fight inside the pocket with no regard. All they want to do is give fans exciting fights in pursuit of victory.
Gonzalez has been on career resurgence since he was on top of the boxing world as the sport's top fighter and then plummeted after losing back-to-back contests to Srisaket Sor Rungvisai. However, he roared back into the fans' minds with four consecutive victories, including regaining the WBA (super) super bantamweight title when he stopped Kal Yafai in the ninth round back in February 2020 before losing to the belt to Estrada.
After losing his first pro fight in October 2015, Martinez hasn't suffered defeat and has risen to be the best flyweight in the world.
The best current bet on the board is Martinez winning by stoppage at +333. Martinez is the best opponent Gonzalez's seen since Rungvisai. Martinez has uncanny power that Gonzalez has seen since then. Gonzalez's been through the wringer and isn't the same fighter when he was at his peak. Martinez is a daredevil inside the ring and will do anything possible to win.
I'd make a decent size wager on Martinez winning inside the distance.
Muehlhausen's pick: Julio Cesar Martinez
Best odds: Julio Cesar Martinez via stoppage +333
More Gonzalez vs. Martinez odds
Method of victory
Gonzalez by KO/TKO/Technical decision or DQ: +225
Gonzalez on points: +240
Martinez by KO/TKO/Technical decision or DQ: +333
Martinez on points: +250
Tie: +1600