Nordine Oubaali vs Arthur Villanueva Odds & Pick
By Dylan Bowker in Boxing
Updated: April 3, 2020 at 2:28 pm EDTPublished:
- Oubaali vs Villanueva is scheduled for Saturday, July 6th at 10:00 a.m. ET
- Will Oubaali be successful in his first title defense?
- Can Villanueva score the upset win and claim the title?
Kazakhstan’s capital city plays host to a WBC World Bantamweight title fight on Saturday, July 6th when Nordine Oubaali and Arthur Villanueva step into the ring at Barys Arena in Nur-Sultan (Astana). Oubaali is a forward advancing, power punching rising star. Nordine, meanwhile, is a savvy veteran boxer who is an adept counter puncher.
Check out my bout breakdown and my prediction below.
Nordine Oubaali vs Arthur Villanueva Odds
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Nordine Oubaali | -3500 |
| Arthur Villanueva | +1200 |
*Odds taken 07/05/19
The ESPN+ card takes place on a weekend that’s a bit slow with card cancellations and fourth of July festivities affecting things. This only serves to shine even more of a spotlight on what looks to be an intriguing crossroads tilt.
Villanueva has collected multiple Asian and international belts in the Super Flyweight division. It’s an impressive pedigree for the Filipino pugilist, but it still doesn’t quite measure up to the pedigree of his French counterpart.
Oubaali is a two-time Olympian and brings a wealth of high level experience to the ring.
Oubaali is a two-time Olympian and brings a wealth of high level experience to the ring. Villanueva has over a decade of professional bouts and has 245 rounds under his belt. I don’t think Villanueva has a favorable knockout percentage or adept footwork whereby either of these factors would throw off Oubaali in this title fight.
Villanueva suffered his first stoppage loss in his second last fight. This is a disconcerting sign for Villanueva fans as he faces a championship caliber KO artist. Oubaali has an unblemished record and seems to be firing on all cylinders as of late. For me, it’s not a matter of if, but when, Oubaali lands the fight ending salvo.
On Saturday morning’s MTK show on ESPN+ is WBC Bantamweight champion, Nordine Oubaali (15-0, 11 KO’s). Here, the 32yr old Frenchman KO-2 Luis Mendez from 2018-4-7. In his last bout, Oubaali UD Rau’shee Warren in January. #boxing pic.twitter.com/y1URztItuS
— Tim Boxeo (@TimBoxeo) July 3, 2019
Oubaali is really looking to not just defend his belt but to put on a show for international boxing fans. Oubaali also has his eyes locked in a potential next opponent after this tilt. The French prize fighter is looking towards a championship unification bout against the winner of Donaire vs Inoue.
Oubaali vs Villanueva Tale of the Tape
| 15-0 | Record | 32-3-1 |
| 11 | Knockouts | 18 |
| 5’4 | Height | 5’5 |
| 64″ | Reach | 69.5″ |
| Rau’shee Warren, Mark Anthony Geraldo, Julio César Miranda | Significant Wins | Richie Mepranum, Julio César Miranda, Arturo Badillo |
| Southpaw | Stance | Orthodox |
There are some exciting, potential matchmaking opportunities in the future for fans of bantamweights in boxing. Oubaali vs Villanueva is the immediate focus now though. Upsets have happened all too often throughout boxing history, so it’s good to bask in what we have immediately available to followers of the sweet science.
10,000 people will pack the venue in Kazakhstan for this 118 lb championship fight. This is Villanueva’s third chance contending for a world title but I do not think that third time’s the charm. I see Oubaali scoring a KO win inside of six rounds.
Pick: Oubaali (-3500)
Sports Writer
A part-time writer and full-time broadcaster, Dylan has hosted MMA talk shows Lights Out and Pure Fight Radio with featured guests like Jens Pulver, Roy Nelson, Miesha Tate, and covered some of the biggest MMA promotions like Rumble in the Cage, Unified MMA, and King of the Cage.
