Lomachenko vs Crolla Betting Odds and Pick

The consensus pound-for-pound best boxer in the world is back in action as Vasyl “Loma” Lomachenko defends his WBA (Super), WBO and The Ring lightweight titles against Anthony “Million Dolla” Crolla. The reigning champion, Lomachenko, is a massive -10000 favorite with the challenger coming back at +1600.

Odds Analysis

Clearly, and as always, there’s no value betting on Loma at -10000 unless you’re rocking a bankroll with many zeros. That being said, I’m not saying to go out and lay a wager on Crolla at +1600 just because there’s value. There’s a reason that the champ is that heavy a favorite.

Better options for more juice on Lomachenko would be taking him to win by KO, TKO or disqualification at -500 or perhaps round betting. If you were to take Loma to win in rounds 7-9, the odds are +240, and four of his nine career knockouts have come in that window.

Vasyl Lomachenko vs Anthony Crolla

Lomachenko (-10000) is looking to extend his winning streak to 12 and is aiming to begin a new knockout streak after having his snapped last time out. The Ukraine native had won eight consecutive bouts by knockout before Jose Pedraza was able to go the full 12 rounds in their December 8 bout. Overall, Loma holds a 12-1 record with nine wins coming by T/KO.

The 31-year-old is a marvel to watch with incredible footwork that allows him to get in tight and land his lightning-fast hands and get out before taking any damage of his own. His mesmerizing footwork can be attributed to being enrolled in traditional Ukrainian dance as a child. Loma also does a great job anticipating and reacting to what his opponents give him and they eventually break with the frustration of getting picked apart while not having the ability to get their hands on him. He has had four fights in which his foe didn’t get off the stool to start the next round.

Crolla (+1600) has earned his title shot by rattling off three straight wins after falling twice to Jorge Linares. Million Dolla lost his WBA lightweight title in the first unanimous-decision loss to Linares and fell in the rematch in the same manner. Since then, Crolla has gotten back to his winning ways with three consecutive decision wins. The 32-year-old holds a 34-6-3 record with 13 wins coming by T/KO.

The England native doesn’t have the best footwork but makes up for that with his solid head movement. With his suspect footwork, he really has to lunge forward with his jab and hooks when he’s out of his punching range. That being said, when he is able to close the distance, he does a great job working the body and dodging punches by dipping frequently. Additionally, because of his style of lunging punches, he doesn’t have real crisp power to put guys away.

I have a hard time seeing a way that Crolla’s style of fighting will have much of an impact on Lomachenko as the Ukraine native’s footwork will simply outclass the Brit. Additionally, the power that Loma possesses is going to wear on Crolla as the fight advances until he eventually breaks.

Prediction: Vasyl Lomachenko (-10000) via knockout (-650) between rounds 7-9 (+225)