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Spike O’Sullivan vs Jaime Munguia Odds & Picks

Dylan Bowker

by Dylan Bowker in Boxing

Updated Apr 9, 2020 · 7:44 AM PDT

O'Sullivan vs Munguia
O'Sullivan and Munguia lock horns Saturday, January 11th. Photo credit to @murphysboxing (Twitter)
  • O’Sullivan vs Munguia goes Saturday, January 11th at 9:00 pm EST
  • Can Munguia begin his campaign towards becoming a muli-division champion?
  • Can O’Sullivan finally capture that statement win that will break him through to that next tier?

O’Sullivan vs Munguia is a noteworthy tilt to set the tone for what’s to come in 2020. This event goes down at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Munguia has a spotless record and is looking to notch his 35th victory as a pro. It will be his first pro bout at 160 lbs and Spike (government name Gary) will be his dance partner.

This is a compelling crossroads fight between two men at differing points in their journeys as pugilists. The 12-round bout will be broadcast via DAZN. Check the odds for this fight and my bout breakdown below.

O’Sullivan vs Munguia Odds

Fighter Odds
Spike O’Sullivan +850
Jaime Munguia -1800

Odds taken Jan. 05

Munguia is switching weight classes here and is readying for his middleweight debut in this outing. He’s looking for some new scenery and a fresh coat of paint after notching five successful title defenses. O’Sullivan will look to spoil the party for the former WBO junior middleweight champion.

There’s a pseudo redemptive element here for O’Sullivan who has failed in prior efforts to defeat that “next level” kind of opponent. This gives him a chance to right those wrongs and finally score that elusive next tier kind of win. Unfortunately for O’Sullivan, I think he will be stopped despite his best efforts.

Munguia Improves to 35-0

Going from 154 to 160 has seemed to pay dividends for Munguia in his preparations. The pugilist has more energy and is generating more power in his strikes. It also makes sense on a career advancement level. Winning here in big fashion can pay dividends for securing high money fights down the line.

This isn’t to say that beating O’Sullivan nets him a Canelo Alvarez or GGG but it positions him favorably to carve out a path towards a prizefight of that magnitude. Ryota Murata has also been mentioned as a potential future opponent for Munguia. Plenty of possible options but he must first get through O’Sullivan impressively. Otherwise, those opportunities fade away.

The two seem to have mutual respect for one another heading into this tilt. Both have been cordial to one another in past meetings but he pleasantries go out the window on January 11th. Munguia’s youthful exuberance belies what one might think his fight IQ is.

Hall of fame trainer Erik Morales has been honing Munguia’s skills and imparting invaluable knowledge to his young protege. Not only is Munguia an explosive and effective finisher but he also has unassailably solid technique and ringcraft.

O’Sullivan vs Munguia Tale of the Tape

Missing Team
VS
Munguia
30-3 Record 34-0
21 Knockouts 27
5’10 Height 6’0
69″ Reach N/A
Antoine Douglas,
Milton Nunez,
Matthew Hall
Significant Wins Liam Smith, Sadam Ali,
Alvaro Robles
Orthodox Stance Orthodox

Conversely, O’Sullivan’s trainer sees some vulnerabilities in Munguia. Believing that Munguia showed some vulnerabilities in a hotly contested bout with Dennis Hogan that Munguia ultimately won. There’s speculating and then there’s addressing what’s irrefutably true and tangibly real.

The 23-year-old also has the age advantage as Munguia readies to fight his 35-year-old opponent. Munguia has said in the lead up to this bout that he sees the fight being halted inside of four rounds. My prediction for the bout is only slightly different. I can see Munguia scoring the TKO victory inside of five rounds.

Pick: Jaime Munguia (-1800)

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