On Saturday, Dmitry Bivol defends his WBA light heavyweight title against the hard-hitting Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez in Abu Dhabi.
As always, plenty of bets can be made with a big-time boxing card. Let's take a look at some of them.
Dmitry Bivol vs. Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez odds
- Dmitry Bivol: -400
- Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez: +300
(All odds via BetMGM)
BetMGM (as of Wednesday, Nov. 3) has Bivol installed as a clear favourite — coming in at -400, meaning you'd need to bet a whopping $400 just to win $100. Meanwhile, the unbeaten Mexican is the underdog at +300, meaning if you pluck down $100, you will win $300 if the challenger can score the upset.
Bivol may have fewer professional fights but on the way up he proved himself as one of the best pound-for-pound boxers out there, and his reputation is only enhanced by the triumph over Canelo.
The champion will hope to go on from a win here to fight Canelo again or Artur Beterbiev, but if Ramirez is the victor then he will make a claim to the same fights.
Dmitry Bivol vs. Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez prediction
On paper, this is relatively straightforward for Bivol. In his last match he beat the fighter many regard as the greatest in the sport today.
Such was the manner of his victory that he elevated himself into pound-for-pound consideration.
Ramirez, meanwhile, is not a traditional light heavyweight, and we all know what happened when Bivol last fought someone moving up a weight class.
Despite that, Zurdo does not lack talent and has more than a puncher's chance in Abu Dhabi.
A points win for Bivol is the obvious prediction to make given his pedigree, but with a stoppage coming in at an underwhelming -138, perhaps the best skew comes from an Ramirez win.
If Ramrez can hold on for all 12 rounds then perhaps he has the chance to tire out the veteran, and a win on points comes in at +2000 for the American.
- Netherton's pick: Bivol on points +350
- Best odds: Ramirez by points at +800
(All odds via BetMGM )
More Bivol vs. Ramirez odds
Method of victory
- Ramirez by KO/TKO/Technical decision or DQ: +550
- Ramirez on points: +800
- Bivol by KO/TKO/Technical decision or DQ: -175
- Bivol on points: +350
- Tie: +2000
(All odds via BetMGM)