Carlos Takam vs Jerry Forrest Odds and Picks for Main Card

• Carlos Takam vs Jerry Forrest goes Thursday, July 9th, at 8:00 PM ET
• Can Takam emerge victorious after a shortened camp or will Forrest pick up the statement win?
• Check out the odds, matchup analysis, and fight prediction below
  

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Carlos Takam and Jerry Forrest clash in a heavyweight tilt set to go down in Las Vegas tonight (July 9th, 8:00 PM ET).  The pugilistic proceedings will broadcast on ESPN. Top Rank continues its summer series from The Bubble at the MGM Grand.

This bout came to fruition after Jarrell Miller failed yet another drug test. Takam stepped up as the replacement and Takam vs Forrest now tops the Thursday marquee. The main-event bout is a curious one when considering the parity of the heavyweight division and the short-notice approach from Takam. A lot of variables to breakdown in this one.

Takam vs Forrest Odds

Odds as of July 8th.

Carlos Takam Looks to Make It Four Straight Wins

This is one of the better pieces of main event matchmaking in the Top Rank series since returning from boxing’s dormancy. The big knock on Takam for some critics is that he fails to capitalize on moments when he steps up in competition. His losses to Alexander Povetkin, Joseph Parker, Anthony Joshua, and Dereck Chisora in recent years have all fueled this negative narrative.

As Takam closes in on turning 40, the time is now to redirect the narrative for those naysayers. It’s an interesting career crossroads moment for both bruisers.

While Takam could be labeled as a gatekeeper with a loss here, this is a huge step up in competition for Forrest.

Jerry Forrest’s Chances of Upsetting Takam

Takam being a former multi-time world title contender is something that would look great on Forrest’s resume if he gets his desired outcome. Forrest respects Takam but is laser-focused on hurting and dispatching him. Jerry Forrest feels as if his previously scheduled foe Jarrell Miller has a similar style to Takam and that the overall approach will not have to shift with the opponent change.

It’s good that Forrest is confident but with an appropriate degree of respect for Takam. Something one has to have in there otherwise they’re waking up looking at the lights.

Carlos Takam (28 KOs) fights Jerry Forrest this Thursday.pic.twitter.com/tcESL9EMTq

— Cerebral Vigilante (@Delisketo) July 6, 2020

Takam and Forrest enter this bout with knockout rates of 74 and 77 percent, respectively. While Forrest has the superior KO rate, Takam has a pronounced edge with, not just experience, but also reach.

It’s unclear why oddsmakers have set the main-event moneyline being this close. Arguably the most impressive showing of Jerry Forrest’s career was a closely contested outing with Jermaine Franklin and that was ultimately a defeat for Forrest.

Takam vs Forrest Tale of the Tape

The puncher’s chance narrative is never more relevant than in the heavyweight class but I still see Takam being defensively savvy and using his veteran ringcraft to get the job done.  Carlos Takam will secure the unanimous-decision victory when Takam vs Forrest goes down.

Pick: Carlos Takam (-170)

Remaining Fight Picks

1. Carlos Castro vs Cesar Juarez: This super bantamweight bout promises fireworks. Castro has a spotless 25-0 record and Juarez is a 33-fight vet with an almost 80-percent KO rate. Momentum favors Castro in this one; Juarez has just a .500 record across his last four bouts. Castro will secure the W here via unanimous decision and maintain his unbeaten record. Pick: Carlos Castro ( -1400)