Michel Rivera vs. Fidel Maldonado Jr
Michel Rivera (17-0) is a top prospect and he has accumulated a record of 17-0 with 11 knockouts. He has fought on television several times already in his career so he is getting used to the bright lights fast. His opponent Fidel Maldonado jr (27-4-1) is an experienced fighter and is by far the best fighter that Rivera will have faced. The same can't be said about Maldonado who has been in with several fighters that you would rank better than Rivera at the moment. Rivera is a big -1000 favourite to win the fight which tells you that they aren't giving Maldonado jr much of a chance to win. Yes Maldonado has lost 4 times and he was stopped in 3 of those occasions but he has faced some big punchers in his career. Both Ismail Barroso and Amir Imam who both knocked him out were considered big punchers at the time and he fought Barroso a divison higher at super lightweight.
Rivera is the a-side in the fight and he is the one with the promoters interest so you can count on the close rounds going his way. Rivera is expected by the bookies to blow out Maldonado jr quickly but we don't agree with that thinking. We believe that Rivera will have his hands full with Maldonado jr who is a good and experienced fighter. We believe that Rivera will manage to win a razorthin decision to stay undefeated but it might be controversial with many close rounds and a draw in this fight is not out of the question. There is good value in this fight and our official pick is Michel Rivera to win by Decision for a price of + 250 (3.50 decimal odds).