Rau’shee Warren vs Zhanat Zhakiyanov Betting Odds and Prediction

By Boxing

Rau’shee Warren vs Zhanat Zhakiyanov Preview February 10th

WBA Super World Bantamweight Champion and IBO World Bantamweight Champion Rau’shee Warren of Cincinnati, Ohio will be defending his crown against Zhanat Zhakiyanov of Kazakhstan at the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio on Friday, February 10th. The 12-round bout can be seen live in the U.S. on Bounce TV and on BoxNation in the UK. The southpaw Warren last fought in June when he beat Juan Carlos Payano by a 12-round majority decision. Meanwhile, Zhakiyanov last fought in November of 2015 when he beat Yonfrez Parejo by a 12-round split decision. This will be Warren’s first defence of his titles.

Warren vs Zhakiyanov Betting Odds

Here are the winner odds from online sportsbook 5dimes.eu

  • Zhanat Zhakiyanov +360
  • Rau’shee Warren -450

My Pick

The 29-year-old Warren enters the ring with an impressive record of 14-1 with 4 Kos to his name. He’s just over 5-feet-4-inches in height with a 64.5-inch reach. Warren has 90 rounds of pro experience in the bank since turning pro in 2012. He has hardly any power to speak of with just four knockouts and a Ko ratio of 25 per cent. Warren had a fine amateur career and fought for the American Olympic team at the 2004 Games in Athens, the 2008 Games in Beijing and the 2012 Games in London. He was also crowned the World Amateur flyweight champion in 2007.In fact, he’s the only American boxer to participate in three Olympic Games.

Warren lost his first world title tilt to Payano by split decision in August of 2015 in a controversial bout. Warren had Payano on the canvas in the 12th and final round and Payano was also deducted a point in the third stanza. However, Warren was deducted two points in the ninth round. Warren won the rematch last June though and captured the titles in another close fight. The win was his fifth in the last six outings. He’s a good counterpuncher with fast hands, and probably has a bit more power than his record would indicate.

The 33-year-old Zhakiyanov is a former European Bantamweight Champion and also has a fine record as he’s 26-1 with 18 Kos to his name and has 21 consecutive victories to his name. He has a decided size advantage since he’s 5-foot-7 and has a 67-inch reach. He’s boxed 118 rounds since turning pro in 2007 and has pretty good power with a current knockout ratio of 67 per cent with stoppages in 12 of his last13 contests. His lone defeat came at the hands of Sakhib Usarov via an eight-round unanimous decision back in 2008. The average boxing fan won’t recognize any of his opponents, but he beat Yonfrez Parejo in November of 2015 for the interim WBA world Title.

Prediction…

This is a good matchup and contest for Warren. Zhakiyanov has the size advantage and the decided edge in power and is on quite a roll with his 21-fight winning streak. However, this is his first bout on American soil and he’s facing an elite boxer. This is a hard one to pick, but as long as Warren can handle the challenger’s power and size advantage he should be able to box his way to victory.

I think Zhakiyanov would need a knockout to win.

Play: Warren -450 @ 5dimes.eu

Check out my recent boxing betting picks to see my current form.

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