The main event of Friday’s ESPN boxing card sees Emanuel Navarrete (36-1) taking on Liam Wilson (11-1). The winner becomes the new WBO junior lightweight champion after Shakur Stevenson was stripped of the title after missing weight in his win over Robson Conceição in September.
Many people believe this fight is a mismatch, and Navarrete vs Wilson betting odds agree with Emanuel as a -1600 favorite.
Emanuel Navarrete vs. Liam Wilson Information
Emanuel Navarrete vs Liam Wilson
Location of the game: Desert Diamond Arena. Glendale, AZ.
Date: Friday, February 3rd. 9:00 PM ET (ring walk approx. 12:00 AM ET).
How to watch: ESPN
Last Fight Record
Friday marks the first meeting between these two combatants and if the boxing predictions are correct, it is likely the last.
Emanuel Navarrete vs. Liam Wilson Analysis
The Premier Fighter and Three-Division Champion
Navarrete is the premier fighter in this matchup, trying to become a three-division champion. He is the current WBO featherweight champion and also held the WBO junior featherweight belt from 2018 to 2020. ESPN has Navarrete ranked as the best current active featherweight fighter.
Navarrete has a record of 36-1 and is still just 28 years old. Thirty of his wins have come via KO. His only loss was way back in 2012, but that also wasn’t even really a loss. In that ‘defeat,’ Navarrete lost a four-round decision to Daniel Argueta but was still named the tournament champion after Argueta failed to show up for a weigh-in.
With Navarrete failing to book a unification bout at featherweight, he has decided to move up to 130 to try and capture the junior lightweight. Navarrete will have some decisions to make about his division moving forward, and he could also be stripped of his featherweight title should Wilson pull off the unlikely upset.
An underdog with a chance
The Australian is a +725 underdog in Navarrete vs Wilson betting. Although that’s not a horrible chance to take to bet on boxing, considering he’s ranked No. 3 in the junior lightweight division. Wilson has gone 11-1 with seven KOs, but he just doesn’t have the experience or resume as his opponent.
At least one person has Wilson’s back for this fight. His fellow Aussie Jeff Fenech says that the books are making a mistake with the heavy underdog price on Wilson. Fenech is a former four-division champion, so he knows a thing or two about the sport,
Fenech has said, “And I honestly believe there’s a heap of money to be made on Liam Wilson this weekend. Because not only do I think he becomes Australia’s newest world champion, but he gets there by knockout.”
Wilson to win via KO has juicy +1600 odds. He doesn’t seem intimidated by Navarrete warning Fox Sports Australia that he “hits (expletive) hard.”
Liam was able to avenge his only professional loss, which happened via a fifth-round knockout against Joe Noynay in July of 2021. Wilson then KO’d Noynay in March of 2022 in the second round. Wilson’s signature punch has been dubbed “the Left Hook from Hell.”
Odds Breakdown
Emanuel Navarrete
Moneyline: -1600
Liam Wilson
Moneyline: +725
Emanuel Navarrete vs. Liam Wilson Betting Pick and Prediction
Navarrete vs Wilson betting is definitely interesting for boxing tonight, as Navarrete has a much more impressive resume as he aims to become a three-division champion. Navarrete has won 30 straight fights, but after a stretch of six straight KO wins, two of his last four victories have also come via decision.
Wilson is ranked No. 3 in the junior lightweight division, but there are some who suggest his position is due more to the inferiority of his opponents. Wilson hasn’t beaten anybody currently in the top 15 in the division, and his 11 professional wins are the fewest of any fighter in the top 15.
Just because his resume doesn’t stack up to Navarrete’s doesn’t mean Wilson isn’t a talented fighter, and this bout would be a career changer for him. He’s heavy-handed, and Navarrete may not be used to the body shots he’s about to take up at 130.
This wager is all about risk vs. reward, and -1600 is just too much to pay on Navarrete or any fighter, really. Instead of a big wager for a small return on Navarrete, the better way to play this one is going smaller on Wilson and focusing on better prospects on the undercard.
Pick 1: Wilson +725
Pick 2: Wilson via KO +1600
If you love sports and want more sports betting information follow us as @InsidersBetDig on Twitter and sign up to our mailing list for free betting picks.