On Saturday, Ryan Garcia returns for the second time in 2022 as he takes on former two-division world champion Javier Fortuna at Cryto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The event can be seen worldwide, live, and exclusively on DAZN.
As always, plenty of bets can be made with a big-time boxing card. Let's take a look at some of them.
Ryan Garcia vs. Javier Fortuna odds
Ryan Garcia: -1200
Javier Fortuna: +700
(All odds via BetMGM)
BetMGM (as of Friday, July 15) has Garcia installed as a massive favorite — coming in at -1200, meaning you'd need to bet a whopping $1,200 just to win $100. Meanwhile, Fortuna is a live underdog at +700, meaning if you pluck down $100, you will win $700 if the native of the Dominican Republic can score the upset and ruin potential big fights that loom ahead for Garcia.
After a 15-month layoff due to a broken wrist and mental health issues, Garcia returned in April when he dropped and defeated Emmanuel Tagoe by unanimous decision. Garcia and Fortuna were supposed to fight in July 2021, but the former pulled out due to his mental health.
Fortuna (37-3-1, two no-contests, 26 KOs), a former two-division world champion, stayed on the show and lost a back-and-forth contest to Jo Jo Diaz by unanimous decision. However, in February, the 32-year-old bounced back with a first-round knockout over Rafael Hernandez.
Garcia (22-0, 18 KOs) had been in talks to make a fight with Isaac Cruz. But they didn't go anywhere, and Garcia went back to Fortuna. A win against Fortuna puts him in a position to reignite talks to make a bout with fellow lightweight star Gervonta Davis.
“This was the fight I wanted, and now it’s time," Garcia said when the fight was announced. "I am so grateful to my friends, family, and especially my fans for their support. I have never felt better, stronger, and more motivated. It’s time to silence all the doubters, and it starts with Fortuna on July 16.”
Ryan Garcia vs. Javier Fortuna prediction
The fight with Tagoe should be considered a pass for Garcia because it was the first time he fought in over 15 months, and working with a new trainer in Joe Goosen. Nevertheless, he scored a knockdown and proved he could go 12 rounds against legitimate opposition.
Despite losing to Diaz, Fortuna had moments. He landed heavy shots on the durable Diaz. But the reason Diaz won was because he applied constant pressure.
That plays right up Garcia's alley. Fortuna is always come to fight, so there are going to be plenty of openings for Garcia to land the patented quick left hook, which ranks up there as the best in all of boxing.
Garcia knows he needs to look spectacular, and Fortuna will provide plenty of opportunities for him to do so.
Unless you have an obscene amount of money or are bored, putting any currency on Garcia to win is a bad play. Garcia by knockout ( -225) is the best play as he has the speed and power advantage to put Fortuna away.
Muehlhausen's pick: Ryan Garcia
Best odds: Garcia by knockout -225
More Garcia vs. Fortuna odds
Method of victory
Garcia by KO/TKO/Technical decision or DQ: -225
Garcia on points: +240
Fortuna by KO/TKO/Technical decision or DQ: +1200
Fortuna on points: +1600
Tie: +2200