Alvarez vs Munguia Undercard Preview – While the days of opulent Don King undercards featuring pound-4-pound contestants may be over, the Alvarez vs Mungia undercard should be entertaining nonetheless.
The feature bout is a WBA welterweight world title scrap between a couple of deadly punchers that once shared the ring as amateurs with newly crowned Eimantis Stanionis facing Gabriel Maestre.
Crowd favorite Brandon Figueroa will meet gatekeeper Diego Magdaleno in a WBC featherweight title fight for the interim title. Perennial welterweight contender Mario Barrios will face slugger Fabian Maidana in a WBC interim bout for the welterweight strap.
ESPN2 News expert handicappers break down the Alvarez vs Munguia undercard.
Alvarez vs Munguia Undercard Preview
Stanionis vs Maestre Picks
This could be the most interesting fight on the undercard with Emantis Stanionis, 14-0, 9 KO’s, having met Gabriel Maestre, 6-0-1, 5 KO’s, in a 2015 amateur bout where the Lithuanian Stanionis took a razor close decision.
The two-time Olympian Maestre, 37, is being written off because of his age but the Venezuelan can still bring the heat. At 5’10 1/2” Maestre is still a physical specimen with big power, speed, and aggressiveness.
The 5’8” Stanionis, 29, is a hard but hittable puncher that is a touch slower and coming off a long layoff but will have enough power to win. Stanionis is an emerging star that boxing fans will know as a household name in a few years.
Stanionis vs Maestre ESPN Bet Boxing Odds
Stanionis -1000
Magdaleno +600
Boxing Predictions
Stanionis -1000
Figueroa vs Magdaleno Picks
Intriguing clash between the crafty little 5’4” southpaw Jessie Magdaleno, 29-2, 18 KO’s, against a Mexican force, in the 5’9” Brandon Figueroa, 24-1, 18 KO’s. The Italian, Magdaleno with his elusive footwork and deceptive angles, may steal some of the early frames.
However, the relentless pressure, body assault, and unwavering endurance of Figueroa, 27, will fold Magdaleno, 32. Wager on Figueroa to deliver a thunderous knockout, his relentless determination proving too much for the wily veteran.
Figueroa vs Magdaleno ESPN Bet Odds
Figueroa -1400
Magdaleno +700
Boxing Predictions
Figueroa via KO -300
Barrios vs Maidana Picks
Mario Barrios, 28-2, 18 KO’s, the lanky 5’10” boxer/puncher often delivers compelling bouts with his blend of power, combination punching and athleticism. The 5’8” Fabian Maidana, 22-2, 16 KO’s, is a crushing puncher with questionable commitment.
While the Mexican, Barrios, 28, boasts the superior track record and skill, Maidana, 31, may have enough sheer strength, should he arrive in top form, to engineer a monumental upset. Despite Maidana’s talent Barrios’s pressure, skill and heart will be too much to overcome.
Barrios vs Maidana ESPN Bet Odds
Barrios -1000
Maidana +600
Boxing Predictions
Barrios via decision -250