There will be no lull in online boxing betting to begin 2022. A handful of marquee title fights are scheduled throughout the month of January, ensuring the boxing schedule starts off with a roar.
Many will be most interested in Joe Smith Jr. vs. Callum Johnson picks for January 15. But we've also got predictions for every other top boxing title fight this coming month. To start us off, here's a look at the latest boxing betting odds from the folks over at BetUS:
| Match Date | Favorite |  | | Underdog |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/12/22 | Michael Conlan | -175 | +145 | Leigh Wood |
| 3/19/22 | Vergil Ortiz Jr. | -1000 | +500 | Michael McKinson |
| 3/26/22 | Josh Warrington | -425 | +325 | Kiko Martinez |
All of our odds for boxing betting will come from lines that are live as of Friday, January 7. If you're placing any wagers at anypoint thereafter, be sure to double-check all boxing odds for accuracy. As you navigate this schedule of title fights, also consider checking out our reviews of the best online sportsbooks. They're bound to direct you toward some of the top boxing betting sites around.
Can Joe Smith Jr. Hold on to WBO Light Heavyweight Title?
If you're here wondering why you can't find Joe Smith Jr. vs. Richard Rivera betting odds, it's because those two will no longer be facing off. Callum Johnson officially took Rivera's place and will now have an opportunity to compete for the WBO's Light Heavyweight title, which has belonged to Smith since this past April.
In addition to Joe Smith Jr. vs. Callum Johnson predictions (January 15), we will also be offering picks for the following title fights (dates of the matchup are in parenthesis):
- Gary Russell Jr. vs. Mark Magsayo (January 22)
- Ilunga Junior Makabu vs. Thabiso Mchunu (January 29)
- Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Liam Williams (January 29)
Make sure you're paying close attention to the different dates, as this will impact when you'll want to submit your boxing betting picks throughout this month.
Smith Knocks Out Johnson
Fans of Joe Smith Jr. should not be disappointed on January 15. The native of Long Island, New York—who has earned a loyal following due to his quiet demeanor and commitment to giving back to his hometown community—enters with a 27-3 lifetime record and has a whopping 21 knockouts to his name.
Yet, while it's his one-punch appeal that draws in many bettors, Smith is more than just another knockout-seeking boxer. He has done a nice job rounding out the rest of his repertoire over the years. Smith's now also known for his quick-twitch footwork and pairs his powerful jabs with exceptional defense from the shoulders up.
In all honesty, we're surprised that oddsmakers are giving Callum Johnson this much of a chance. He has neither the power nor strength to put up an adequate fight vs. Smith.
OSB Prediction: Joe Smith Jr. (-260)
Russell Makes Quick Work of Magsayo
Gary Russell Jr. has just one official loss on his resume, for a lifetime record of 32-1, and we're not about to predict a loss for him now.
Oddsmakers are thinking along the same lines. And why wouldn't they? Russell's last loss in the ring came all the way back in 2014. That's nearly a decade ago!
Gutsy underdog bettors may be inclined to roll the dice on Mark Magsayo's trademark combinations in early rounds. They might also look at Russell's lackluster knockout rate and see a value proposition. Resist the urge to think that way. Russell has some of the best stamina in the business. It'll be a monster shock if he forfeits his WBC Featherweight Title on January 22.
OSB Prediction: Gary Russell Jr. (-714)
Makabu Gets Another Knockout vs. Mchunu
If Thabiso Mchunu is going to secure the upset and steal the WBC Cruiserweight Title from Ilunga Junior Makabu on January 29, he's going to need to bring his A-plus game.
See, Makabu rarely sees the end of fights. Like, at all. He has a lifetime 28-2 record—and 25 of those victories have come by TKO. Put another way: Makabu has picked up a TKO in nearly 90 percent of all his victories, and in almost 85 percent of all his matches, period.
Indeed, Mchunu is known for delivering paralyzing speed over the long haul. That's not going to cut it here. His defense isn't good enough to withstand repeated offensive onslaughts from Makabu. We expect this one to end in yet another knockout for the Cruiserweight champ.
OSB Prediction: Illunga Junior Makabu (-260)
Eubank Earns Title Shot with Win Over Williams
Okay, so we're cheating a little bit with this January 29 fight. This spot was initially reserved for the title fight between Trevor Bryan and Mahmoud Charr, but that's since been called off due to visa issues for the latter. So, we now default to Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Liam Williams, a fight that should determine who gets the next crack at a middleweight title matchup.
To that end, our money is on Eubank.
His power can be overwhelming for opponents much stronger and quicker than Williams. In his last fight, back in October, Eubank forced his opponent into submission by landing combination after combination through the first five rounds.
OSB Prediction: Chris Eubank Jr. (-280)
Take a look at this list of the top online sportsbooks so you can decide which one to use for all your boxing bets:
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