Boxing Odds – Jose Pedraza vs. Mikkel LesPierre (Updated)

The fight is back on – at least for now. Originally scheduled for June 18, the junior welterweight bout between former two-division champ Jose Pedraza and Mikkel LesPierre was postponed when LesPierre’s manager tested positive for COVID-19. Everything seems to be in order now and the two will be the main event of Top Rank’s Thursday showcase. Both fighters are attempting to get back into contention for another shot at a title. Pedraza has already won multiple belts during his career but has fallen out of the rankings after dropping two of his last three fights. Nonetheless he’s a big favorite to resurrect his career against the one-loss LesPierre.  Be sure to visit BookMaker.eu to get the latest boxing odds when you’re ready to bet.  They offer a generous welcome bonus with a $1000 maximum.

Boxing Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu

Mikkel LesPierre +550
Jose Pedraza -1111

Rounds: Check Back Later

The 10-round junior welterweight showdown between Jose “Sniper” Pedraza ( 26-3, 13 knockouts ) and Mikkel LesPierre ( 22-1-1, 10 knockouts ) will take place at the MGM Grand Ballroom in Las Vegas on Thursday, July 2, 2020. This is the main event on a card that has five other fights scheduled. The action begins at 8 p.m. ET and can be seen on ESPN.

Jose Pedraza vs. Mikkel LesPierre Fight Preview

Top Rank is back in the ring with a number of thrilling bouts going off since the promotion’s reboot. This matchup between junior welterweights promises to entertain with both fighters looking to regain their footing in the division. Despite dropping two of his last three fights, Pedraza opened as a big favorite at online sportsbooks.

Winning his first 22 fights Pedraza was on the fast track. He claimed the IBO super featherweight title with a unanimous decision over Alberto Garza in 2014 and secured the vacant IBF super featherweight belt by sweeping the cards against Andrey Klimov in 2015. Following two successful title defenses, Pedraza lost for the first time in his professional career and surrendered the belt to unbeaten Gervonta Davis via a seventh-round TKO in 2016.

Working his way back up the ranks with decisions over Jose Luis Rodriguez and Antonio Moran, Pedraza earned a WBO lightweight title bout against Raymundo Beltran where he won his second classification belt with a unanimous decision. Four months later Pedraza was floored twice in the 11th round and lost a unification bout by unanimous decision to the best lightweight Vasiliy Lomachenko.

Though he won his next fight by unanimous decision over Antonio Lozada Torres, the Lomachenko ordeal seemed to sap some of the gusto from Pedraza’s game. He was thoroughly beaten by Jose Zepeda last time out, falling to another lefty. All three defeats were to left handed fighters.

Sporting a nifty 22-1-1 record in his professional career, LesPierre has been slow moving up the ranks. He went unbeaten in his first 18 pro fights before beating Mario Beltre for the vacant WBC FECARBOX super lightweight title. He followed with wins over Noel Murphy, Gustavo David Vittori and Wilton Montero to earn a WBO super lightweight title bout with Maurice Hooker.

Showing he wasn’t ready to contend for Hooker’s belt, LesPierre fell in a one-sided unanimous decision to the undefeated champ, suffering his first professional setback. He responded by sweeping the scorecards against Roody Pierre Paul back in December.

In his loss LesPierre was staggered by Hooker’s body shots. He was unable to use his smooth counter-punching technique, which has served him well throughout his amateur and pro career. His southpaw technique could give Pedraza a difficult time. As noted, all of Sniper’s losses have been to southpaw swingers.

Bet Jose Pedraza vs. Mikkel LesPierre at BookMaker

A loss for either boxer could be devastating to their future in the ring. LesPierre has more miles on him and despite the record he needs to stack up a few impressive wins to make a dent in the rankings. He isn’t lacking confidence, though. “I feel I have the tools to beat him. It will be an opportunity for me to take my career to the next level,” he said recently. A former two belt champion, Pedraza also needs a win to get his career back on track. He lost a chance to regain some of his swagger losing to Lomachenko and Zepeda, who have combined to lose only three fights. The competition is obviously tougher, but has Sniper rebounded enough to make another serious title run?

Boxing Odds Pick: Jose Pedraza / Decision

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- Phil Simon, Gambling911.com