José Ramírez Wants to Get Back in Flow Against Cuban Standout

Vergil Ortiz Jr was once considered one of the most promising prospects in boxing. However, when Ortiz fainted suddenly before a match with Michael McKinson, there were serious health concerns about his future. Ortiz ended up sitting out of the octagon for 18 months after that incident.

Ortiz put some of those concerns to rest when he knocked out Fredrick Lawson in the first round of his return in Las Vegas this year in January. Following the tune-up, Ortiz is now set to return this Saturday with a bump up in competition. 

Ortiz will be facing former WBO title challenger Thomas Dulorme. While Dulorme has accomplished a lot in the past, the word past should probably be heavily emphasized. Dulorme’s title challenge against Terence Crawford came back in 2015.

The latest boxing news online shows that Dulorme has lost his last three fights. Dulorme hasn’t fought since October 2021, when he was knocked out by Jaron Ennis in the first round. This one seems like another match set up to build Ortiz’s confidence back up in front of bigger challenges ahead.

The odds are priced like that, with Ortiz being a -4000 favorite. Avoid the moneyline on this one, and keep an eye out for the prop on the number. Ortiz will win this fight and should put Dulorme out of the fight.

Bets to consider: Ortiz by KO

Esparza, Alaniz Set for Rematch

Marlen Esparza waited five years after winning a bronze medal at the London Olympics to turn professional. Last July, Esparza hit what has been the peak of her professional career by beating Gabriela Celeste Alaniz to win the WBC and WBA flyweight titles to add to her WBO flyweight crown.

After a few delays along the way, the two women are getting set for a rematch this weekend. Boxing news latest headlines shows that Esparza and Alaniz’s first fight was razor close.

Esparza ended up winning a majority decision. During Esparza’s professional career, she hasn’t demonstrated any kind of stopping power. Esparza is 14-1 as a professional and 14 of those fights have gone to a decision.

Alaniz, an Argentine fighter, has a lot to prove in this fight. One judge scored the first fight a draw, while the other two scored it in favor of Esparza. Alaniz will hope to lean on her superior power in the second fight. Alaniz has six knockout wins during his career.

This fight should go the distance. Neither woman will necessarily hunt the knockout and will look to wow the crowd and judges instead. Esparza will show the first fight was no fluke and pick up a title defense with a narrow decision victory.

Bets to consider: Esparza -120, Esparza by decision, Over 9.5 rounds

Duarte Looks to Get Back to Business

Oscar Duarte gave Ryan Garcia some problems with his pressure during their first last year. However, Duarte ended up finding out that he was outclassed in a fight he lost in the eighth round by knockout. Still, by taking tough fights, Duarte has done a good job of building up his confidence.

Duarte will need that confidence against Joseph Diaz Jr. Diaz is a tough veteran fighter who previously held the IBG super featherweight title. He also challenged Devin Haney for the WBC lightweight title back in December 2021.

Diaz, 31, hopes his recent run of results isn’t a reflection of where his career is heading. Diaz has dropped four of his previous five fights. While it isn’t an ideal run of results, Diaz lost two of those bouts by split decision.

Overall, Diaz is 33-5 in his career and has collected 15 knockouts. Duarte is 26-2-1 in his career and will want to get his career back on track following the difficult loss to Garcia. Both men have a lot to prove in this matchup.

However, just due to the price, it is worth taking a flier on Diaz at +206. Duarte has the ability to win the match but is coming off a difficult knockout loss.

Bets to consider: Diaz +106, Over 8.5 rounds