Friday Night Boxing Odds – The Premier Boxing Champions continue their 2017 calendar tonight, February 10th, with their first show of the year airing on Bounce TV in the United States. The live event is airing from Toledo, Ohio and a pair of in-state natives will be making their first world title defenses in the two main fights.
WBA World Bantamweight Champion Rau’shee Warren will be making the first defense of the belt he won in June of 2016 when he won a majority decision over Juan Carlos Payano. The win moved Warren to 14-1 overall and it gave him a 1-1 record with Payano, since Payano put the lone blemish on Warren’s record back in August of 2015 when the pair met for the first time and Payano won a narrow split decision. A trilogy between the two men appears imminent.
But Warren must get by Zhakiyanov first. Zhakiyanov is out of Kazakhstan and he brings a 26-1 professional record to the table. His only career loss as a professional came way back in October of 2008 and he has put together a 21-fight winning streak since then. He has a resume full of fights in hostile territory, but this world title fight with Warren represents his first trip stateside. It is worth noting that the last week has seen the line narrow slightly, with money coming in on Zhakiyanov. At the start of fight week, Warren was a -475 favorite.
Undefeated IBF world champion Robert Easter Jr (18-0) will also be making the first defense of his title when he faces veteran Luis Cruz 22-4-1. Easter Jr was born and raised in Toledo and this fight is a showcase for him. Easter Jr won his world title belt this past September with a hard fought split decision win over Richard Commey. The 26-year-old Easter Jr is coming into this match-up a major favorite over Cruz, who is five years older at 31 years of age.
Cruz, who fights out of Puerto Rico, was once and undefeated up-and-comer, but he has spent the last five years going 3-4-1 overall. At 5’9, he is tall despite coming up in weight from his heyday as a featherweight, and that should give him a chance to offset some of Easter Jr’s length. Nevertheless, this match should not be that competitive, and the odds reflect that. Really what the PBC has planned here is a showcase of their Ohio talent where they can defend their titles in friendly surroundings.
A pair of the support fights on the card also popped up at the sports books in the last twenty four hours, check back frequently for changes and more odds.
Friday Night Boxing Odds – PBC on Bounce TV
Four of the ten fights on offer at the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio are getting attention at the sports books, including the two world title main events. Do not miss this latest TalknShoot boxing video blog for more details on Warren vs Zhakiyanov and Easter Jr vs Cruz.
12 rounds –
Zhanat Zhakiyanov +325 o9 1/2 -350
Rau’shee Warren -440 u9 1/2 +260
WBA Super World bantamweight title
12 rounds –
Luis Cruz +1700 o8½ +215
Robert Easter Jr -3400 u8½ -275
IBF lightweight World title
Lightweight 8 rounds –
Art Hovhannisyan +450 o7½ -485
Jamel Herring -600 u7½ +350
Bantamweight 12 rounds –
Luis Hernandez +1400
Terrell Gausha -3600
Friday Night Boxing Odds – PBC on Bounce TV / Check out more boxing news and features at The Sweet Science.
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