Ken Shiro vs Gilberto Pedroza Preview December 30th
Undefeated Ken Shiro of Japan will be putting his WBC Light Flyweight Title on the line this Saturday, January 30th over in Yokohama when he takes on Gilberto Pedroza of Panama. Shiro last fought in October when he beat Pedro Guevara by a majority decision. Pedroza’s last outing was also in October when he beat Saul Juarez by a nine-round split decision. Shiro won the title last May with a majority decision over Ganigan Lopez in his 10th pro fight.
Shiro vs Pedroza Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Gilberto Pedroza +875
- Ken Shiro -1425
My Pick
The 25-year-old baby-faced Shiro turned pro back in 2014 and has compiled a perfect record so far at 11-0 along with 5 Kos. He’s not really known as a big hitter with a current knockout ratio of 45 per cent. Shiro stands just over 5-feet-4-inches tall with a reach of 64.5 inches. He’s boxed a total of 79 rounds since turning pro and has been involved in some close decisions recently. He’s displayed a solid chin so far as well as good boxing skills.
Ten out of Shiro’s 11 opponents have had winning records while the other one was making his pro debut. Shiro’s been learning on the job and hasn’t really been put in with easy touches to pad his record. He’s still relatively inexperienced as a pro though and a loss at this stage of his career shouldn’t really be a big setback. Of course, Shiro doesn’t plan on losing his unbeaten record on Saturday night against Pedroza, especially at home in Japan.
Pedroza is also 25 years old and he’ll be entering the ring with a record of 18-3-2 along with 8 Kos. He was beaten by Leroy Estrada by an eight-round unanimous decision in 2012, by Carlos Ortega via a 10-round unanimous decision in 2014 and was stopped in the fifth round by Robert Barrera in October of 2014. He’s also fought to eight round draws with Ortega in 2014 and Carlos Melo a year earlier. Pedroza gives up over four inches in height to Shiro while his reach is unlisted
The challenger has won seven fights in a row and has won a couple of minor and regional pro titles along the way. He turned pro back in 2012 and has 123 rounds of experience under his belt since then. Pedroza’s definitely not known as a power puncher as his current knockout ratio stands at just 35 per cent. His chin isn’t perfect either since he’s been stopped once so far in his career. Pedroza does have the edge over Shiro in experience though and that could turn out to be a factor.
Prediction…
Both of these guys are relatively young still at the age of 25 and Shiro may have even surprised himself by winning a world title so early in his career. He’s just managed to get by on a couple of close decisions in his last two outings though and may have been given the nod since both fights took place in Japan. This should be a competitive fight with Shiro having the slight edge and holding onto his title when it’s all said and done.
Shiro is slightly better at this stage of their careers.
Play: Shiro -1425 @ BetOnline.ag
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Gilberto Pedroza betting • Ken Shiro betting