There's plenty of boxing this upcoming weekend. Some of the biggest and best names in the sport are in action starting on Friday night in Times Square, then in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, before finishing up on Sunday evening in Las Vegas. The likes of Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney, Teofimo Lopez, Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez, and Naoya Inoue are all featured performers.
(And this isn't to slight bouts such as Martin Bakole-Efe Ajagbe and the rematch between Bruno Sarace and Jaime Munguia, but this column is really dedicated to those who are featured on the marquee in what is 'Boxingpalooza 2025')
But it has to be asked, are any of them in real fights? 'Real' as in, do they actually have a legitimate chance of losing, or at least getting pushed a bit? Or it will be all chalk, all the time? (For those who may not be aware of the term, 'chalk', it's an old gambling profession that refers to the favorite.)
Here's a look at the odds (provided by@Fight_Ghost, who monitors these things as part of his living) for the upcoming fights...
DAZN
- Devin Haney vs. Jose Ramirez
Haney is a 12-to-1 favorite in this contest, in what is his first outing since his bout versus Ryan Garcia last April that has since been expunged from the record books. But while his loss is erased, what may not be is the punishment he took from the left hooks of Garcia that had him on the deck three times that fateful night at the Barclay Center. What version of Haney exists coming off that bout? As for Ramirez, he is coming off a November loss to Barboza.
At one time he was a unified champion at 140, but the reality is that he hasn't had a really strong effort since 2019 when he stopped Maurice Hooker in six. At his peak, Ramirez was a high-energy fighter who swarmed opponents with his activity. Quite frankly, we haven't really seen that guy in awhile.
- Ryan Garcia vs. Rolando Romero
Garcia is listed at around 10-to-1, and keep this in mind, the reason why he and his old nemesis are on this card is the set up their rematch. There's a reason why both Ramirez and Romero were selected as dance partners. It says here that Garcia is simply too fast and skilled for the raw Romero, who has been stopped in the past by 'Tank' Davis and Isaac Cruz.
Ring
- Teofimo Lopez vs. Arnold Barboza
This match-up here by far is the closest in terms of the odds. Lopez, the defending WBO and Ring 140-pound champion is right around a 2-to-1 favorite, here. Lopez is the more naturally gifted fighter, but he's more up-and-down then the Dow Jones. Last year he looked rather mediocre against the likes of Jamaine Ortiz and Steve Claggett.
Meanwhile, not only did Barboza score a win over Ramirez last November, he then hit the road and upset Jack Catterall on his home turf. This is a battle tested boxer, who has no love lost for Lopez. If there is a truly competitive fight this weekend, it's this one.
- Saul Alvarez vs William Scull
So 'Canelo' is looking to (re)add the IBF belt to his collection, and be able to say that he is the undisputed champion at super middleweight, once again. Although, nobody really thought he ever really lost it just because Scull won a vacant version that was once his. This fight is listed at 50-to-1, and to put that into perspective, Mike Tyson-Buster Douglas was famously 42-to-1.
DAZN
Alvarez has justifiably taken some heat for his recent opposition that has included: John Ryder, Jermell Charlo, Munguia and Edgar Berlanga. Scull would most likely be the underdog against all of these guys. It's hard to see this fight being remotely difficult for Canelo, who has a September date with Terrence Crawford awaiting him.
- Naoya Inoue vs. Ramon Cardenas
Finally, we have the return of 'the Monster' to the States. Inoue, who last fought in America in 2021 is paired with Ramon Cardenas at the T-Mobile Arena in what is a rare Sunday night fight card. The odds for this contest are 80-to-1. It would not be hyperbole to say it would be among the biggest upsets in boxing history if the relatively unknown Cardenas could somehow pull the upset. You could say it would be like Douglas-Tyson but only in reverse.
Mikey Williams/Top Rank
This wouldn't be just an upset, but a miracle.
3KR
This week's episode of 'the 3 Knockdown Rule', Mario Lopez and I look back at Chris Eubank Jr-Conor Benn slugfest, and preview all the upcoming cards taking place this weekend:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kcgw6MaERH4&t=1s
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