by Darren Moore
Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Billy Joe Saunders clash in a super-middleweight title fight on Saturday (May 8) at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with the WBC and WBA belts of Alvarez and the WBO belt of Saunders on the line.
Alvarez vs Saunders Betting Pick
Method of Victory:
Alvarez to win by Decision or Technical Decision @ +130 with Bovada Sportsbook
Alvarez vs Saunders Odds
The Fight Result betting with Bovada has Alvarez as the overwhelming favorite at -800. Should you believe that Saunders can beat the odds, you can wager on him to win the fight at +500.
There’s little value for Alvarez backers at those odds, so look to the ‘Method of Victory’ market for more attractive betting odds. Here you can get “Canelo” to win by KO, TKO or Disqualification at +110. Alternatively, he is +130 to win by Decision or Technical Decision.
Saul “Canelo” Alvarez
The 30-year old Mexican Alvarez is 55-1-2 in his professional career, with his only loss coming against the legend Floyd Mayweather Jr., back in 2013.
Alvarez is widely regarded as the No. 1 pound-for-pound boxer in the game and has held world titles in four weight divisions. “Canelo” has vast experience and has regularly put himself up against the best in the business.
He’s renowned for his power punching, both to the head and body and he’s knocked down champions like Kermit Cintron, Amir Khan, Liam Smith, Rocky Fielding and Sergey Kovalev.
He last fought in January, when he had a straightforward defense of his titles against Avni Yildirim, stopping the Turkish boxer in three rounds. Before the fight, Alvarez’s preparation was briefly disrupted when he tested positive for COVID-19.
Billy Joe Saunders
Saunders, a 31-year-old English southpaw, comes into the fight with an unblemished 30-0-0 record.
He lacks the big fight experience of Alvarez though and this will be only his third bout outside the United Kingdom. He has certainly never come up against a fighter of the caliber of Alvarez and there has to be a question mark as to how Saunders handles such a high-profile occasion.
Saunders does have a height and reach advantage over Alvarez, but he isn’t renowned for his punching power. He’s a counter puncher who will look to stay out of the Mexican’s range behind his jab.
Saunders was last in action in December, when he beat fellow Brit Martin Murray on a unanimous decision to successfully defend his WBO title.
Alvarez vs Saunders Prediction
“Canelo” has never been knocked down in his career, so Saunders will probably need to go the distance and rely on the judges if he’s to win.
It’s never easy getting the better of Alvarez when it comes to winning decisions, so Saunders will to use his movement and jab to keep his opponent at a distance. If Alvarez manages to close the ring and engage Saunders in prolonged exchanges, there’s only going to be one winner.
Should you prefer, you can put your bucks on Saunders at +2000 to win by KO, TKO or Disqualification, or +500 to claim victory by Decision or Technical Decision.
* Boxing odds correct at the time of writing. All betting odds are subject to change.
Darren lives & breathes sports betting and is always sniffing out his next value bet. His favourite sports to bet on are the NFL, horse racing and UFC but he will bet on anything if he thinks the odds are favourable.
