Boxing Fights Odds: Beterbiev vs Smith Jr. Lines, Picks

Two of the best light heavyweights in the world throw down on Saturday when Artur Beterbiev and Joe Smith Jr. step into the ring to fight for three championship belts. Beterbiev is the big time chalk, but Joe Smith Jr. is a great boxer. Before Beterbiev and Joe Smith Jr. brawl, Robeisy Ramirez takes on undefeated Abraham Nova in a 10-round featherweight clash. Check out Boxing betting odds, analysis, and picks for Ramirez versus Nova and Beterbiev against Smith Jr.

Boxing Fights Top Betting Events: Beterbiev Fights Smith Jr. for Three Lightweight Titles

Main Event: Artur Beterbiev vs. Joe Smith Jr.

When: Saturday, June 18 at 9:00 pm ET
Where: Hulu Theatre, Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
TV / Streaming: ESPN / ESPN+

Co-Main Event | 10-rounds Featherweights

Abraham Nova 21-0 vs. Robeisy Ramirez 9-1

Why Abraham Nova +330 is a Good Bet versus Robeisy Ramirez

There’s a reason Abraham Nova has 21 wins and zero losses. Nova is a tall, lengthy boxer. He’s got terrific hands, has good defense, and sets up power punches. If you want to brawl with Nova, he will use his tall frame to put you into position for his power shots. If you try to stay away from Nova, he can jab to get inside or stay outside and pepper you with one-two combinations.

Abraham Nova Last 5

W – TKO R8 vs. William Encarnacion
W – UD 8 vs. Richard Pumicpic
W – UD 10 vs. Avery Sparrow
W – TKO R4 vs. Pedro Navarrete
W – KO R4 vs. Sandro Hernandez

Why Robeisy Ramirez -500 is a Good Bet versus Abraham Nova

Ramirez is supremely skilled. He can brawl if you want or he can use his jab to set up his power shots. When Ramirez gets an opponent hurt, he often finishes him with massive body blows and hooks to the head. The Cuban boxer has every punch in his arsenal.

Robeisy Ramirez Last 5

W – TKO R3 vs. Eric Donovan
W – UD 10 vs. Orlando Gonzalez Ruiz
W – UD 6 vs. Ryan Lee Allen
W – TKO 6 vs. Brandon Valdez
W – UD 8 vs. Felix Caraballo

Final Betting Analysis: Ramirez vs. Nova

Ramirez’s one loss was to Adan Gonzalez. He exacted revenge over Gonzalez, punishing Adan in the rematch, which is one of the reasons he’s the play to win this fight.

It won’t be easy. Nova is taller, has a longer reach, and is likely to outweigh Ramirez by at least six pounds the night of the fight. But although Nova has the physical advantages, he has a flaw on which Ramirez will capitalize.

Nova doesn’t do it often, but he does cross his feet. He will also square up once in a while with his feet in a straight line. When a boxer squares up, it’s a recipe for disaster.

The underdog suffers his first professional loss on Saturday night. Robeisy Ramirez wears down Abraham Nova for a late round TKO or KO win.

Boxing Pick: Robeisy Ramirez | Bet the Fight Now

Main Event: 12-rounds WBC & IBF & WBO Light Heavyweight Titles

Joe Smith Jr. 23-3 vs. Artur Beterbiev 17-0

Why Joe Smith Jr. +470 is a Good Bet versus Artur Beterbiev

After suffering his third loss, Smith Jr. bounced back with four straight wins. Not only did Smith Jr. win 4 straight, but he won two of the bouts via decision and the other two via knockout. Also, Smith Jr. has faced the best light heavyweight in the world, Dmitry Bivol. He will have an experience edge in this bout.

Joe Smith Jr. Last 5

W – KO R9 Steve Geffrard
W – MD R12 Maxim Vlasov
W – TKO R9 Eleider Alvarez
W – SD R10 Jesse Hart
L – UD 12 Dmitry Bivol

Why Artur Beterbiev -640 is a Good Bet versus Joe Smith Jr.

Artur Beterbiev has won all of his 17 fights either via technical knockout or knockout. But Beterbiev doesn’t just power punch is way to victory. He’s a patient fighter who waits for openings before firing his shots. In addition, Beterbiev has a granite chin. He doesn’t mind taking one, two, even three shots to get into position to throw a power punch.

Artur Beterbiev Last 5

W – KO 9 Marcus Browne
W – TKO 10 Adam Deines
W – TKO 10 Oleksandr Gvosdyk
W – KO 5 Radivoje Kalajdzic
W – KO 4 Callum Johnson

Final Betting Analysis: Artur Beterbiev vs. Joe Smith Jr.

Smith Jr. has boxing skill, but the only fighter he’s faced on Beterbiev’s level is Dmitry Bivol. The problem with facing weak opponents is that a boxer can become complacent. They can believe they’re better than they are.

Bivol outboxed Smith Jr. for a unanimous decision. Beterbiev won’t outbox Smith Jr. because Artur knows he can knock out the underdog.

Smith Jr. has a tendency to overpunch and that’s where he will get into trouble. Beterbiev has improved his defense big time. The real key to Artur’s dominance, though, is the fact that he doesn’t go straight for the knockout.

Instead, he gauges his opponent before deciding to produce an onslaught. Beterbiev is so powerful that he can hurt an opponent with his jab. Joe Smith Jr. has never come into contact with a boxer that’s as strong as Artur Beterbiev. The chalk knocks out Smith Jr. before the final bell.

Boxing Pick: Artur Beterbiev| Bet the Fight Now