The next major boxing event takes place on Saturday from Las Vegas, Nevada.
The main event features Devin Haney putting the WBC lightweight title on the line against Jorge Linares.
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.
Devin Haney vs. Jorge Linares odds
Devin Haney: -1000
Jorge Linares: +700
(All odds via BetMGM)
BetMGM (as of Thursday, May 27) has Haney installed as a massive favorite — coming in at -1000, meaning you'd need to bet $1,000 to win $100. Meanwhile, Linares is a +700, meaning if you pluck down $100, you will win $700.
Haney (25-0, 18 KOs) makes his 2021 after successfully defended the WBC belt with lopsided decision wins over Alfredo Santiago in November 2019 and, most recently, Yuriorkis Gamboa in November.
Linares (47-5, 29 KOs) also steps through the ropes for the first time in 2021 but is doing so after a 15-month layoff. He returns to the big stage as a winner of back-to-back contests after having previously suffered setbacks in two of his three previous fights. Linares steps back into the ring for the first time since an impressive fourth-round knockout of Carlos Morales in February 2020.
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Haney vs. Linares prediction
Not surprisingly, the odds are this high in favor of Haney. Linares, though isn't a pushover by any means. He is a former three-division world champion. Many people forget he dropped Vasiliy Lomachenko to the canvas in their May 2018 lightweight title unification clash before getting stopped in the tenth round.
Expectations are high for Haney coming into Saturday night. There was a disappointment he didn't put Gamboa away, considering lightweight rival Gervonta Davis was able to finish him in their December 2018 fight. The knock-on Haney has been that he hasn't faced formidable opposition. That changes with Linares.
For Haney to win, he needs to establish the jab early on and not get into a firefight. He's younger, quicker, and is the better boxer. Setting the jab up would allow him to get into the inside and use his explosive right hand later on in the fight.
Linares cannot let Haney throw first. He has to be first and not let Haney get into a rhythm. If he does that, it will be a long night at the office. Linares has a powerful right hand, a solid left hook, and a good left jab. He's got to find a way to make Haney miss so he can counter with those shots. To do that and deal with Haney's style, Linares has to come in a premium shape. Anything less will result in disaster.
Haney knows the pressure is on. Anything less than a finish will be viewed as a disappointment. Winning is good, but in this day of age, style points matter.
There's no value in plucking money down on Haney to win the fight. It is worth taking Linares on a flyer at +700 to win or +1100 to get the victory via stoppage. His right hand is lethal, and he does have 29 knockouts.
Haney is the better overall fighter and should win rather handily off the jab in the early stages and putting Linares away in the middle portion of the fight. If you want to bet anything on Haney, take the -175 for him to win inside the distance.
Muehlhausen's pick: Devin Haney
Best odds: Devin Haney by KO/TKO/Technical Decision/DQ : -175
More Haney vs. Linares odds
Will the fight go the distance?Yes: -200
No: +150
Method of victory
Haney by KO/TKO/Technical Decision/DQ: -175
Haney by points: +185
Tie: +2000
Linares by KO/TKO/Technical Decision/DQ: +1800
Linares by points: +1100