Yes, we all want to see unified middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin step into the ring with Canelo Alvarez. Instead, we get a giant mismatch between “GGG” and the undefeated -- and unknown -- Dominic Wade.
Understandably, the odds are ridiculously in Golovkin’s favor.
Bet on boxing odds at BookMaker.eu
Dominic Wade +2750
Gennady Golovkin -5750
Please note, the boxing odds at BookMaker are updated on daily basis. The lines listed here may have changed since this article was posted.
ODDS ANALYSIS
It’s ok if you’ve never heard of Dominic Wade, because it seems like most oddsmakers haven’t either. When you’ve got one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the sport going up against a relative nobody, you’re going to get things like a -5750 money line for “GGG”. Basically, this is a tune-up fight for the champion, and hopefully we’ll see him fight Canelo next.
FIGHT PREVIEW
Wade is a good puncher and a decent amateur, but he’s in way over his head. He’s never faced a top-level opponent since turning pro in 2009. His biggest victory was in his last bout against former titlist Sam Soliman -- a 41-year old at the end of his career.
For what it’s worth, Wade was able to establish a crisp jab and little else against Soliman. He spent much of the time clinching and on his bicycle. He’s a defensive fighter first, which might make it difficult for Golovkin to notch yet another knockout win. Even then, the fact that Soliman was able to consistently land shots on him does not bode well.
Golovkin is generally regarded as the most fearsome puncher in the game. However, he’s not quite a one-hitter quitter. His punches certainly have dynamite, but it’s his combinations that put opponents down. He’ll have to get his shots off quickly since it appears that Wade has a tendency to clinch.
Furthermore, he’s going to have to cut off the ring in case Wade starts retreating. This could be an exercise in ring generalship for GGG, because it’s highly unlikely he’ll get to exchange shots with the challenger. Even then, Wade is so inexperienced against elite opponents that Golovkin should be able to mangle him with one of his signature power punches.
Boxing odds: Golovkin KO Wade, Round 5
CO-FEATURE
McWilliams Arroyo +2100
Roman Gonzalez -3250
Gonzalez, widely considered the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world, will defend his flyweight world title against Puerto Rico’s McWilliams Arroyo. A 2008 Olympian, Arroyo hasn’t fought since his third-round KO win over Victor Luiz last April. Prior to that, he hadn’t been in the ring since September 2014, when he lost a split decision to champion Amnat Ruenroeng.
The boxing odds at BookMaker currently have Gonzalez as more than 32-to-1 favorite, which is a good representation of how big the talent gap is. The last time he fought, he demolished former champion Edgar Sosa in two rounds. Before that, he wiped the floor with former unified titleholder Brian Viloria. We can expect his recent run of mangling his challengers to continue against Arroyo.
Boxing odds: Gonzalez KO Arroyo, Round 6
BET ON BOXING NOW
With BookMaker Sportsbook, you can bet on boxing all year, from regional cards to pay-per-view events. Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook. Golovkin vs. Wade and Gonzalez vs. Arroyo take place Saturday, April 23, 2016 at The Forum in Inglewood, CA. The fight will be televised on HBO, with the card set to begin at 10 p.m. ET.
