The boxing schedule is beginning to pick up for 2016, and the sport books are carrying several lines for fights scheduled for Thursday and Friday. On Thursday, February 4th in Bangkok, Thailand an interim WBA World title is at play in the Minimumweight division between Knockout CP Freshmart (11-0) and Nicaragua’s Carlos Buitrago (28-1-1). the match is getting a lot of attention, as it is a re-match, with Freshmart putting the only defeat on Buitrago’s record back in October of 2014. Buitrago is just 24 years old, one year younger than Freshmart, and he has been in the world title picture for the last several years. The match comes with a competitve line that sees Freshamart favored at -190, with the comeback on Buitrago at +150. The bout is scheduled for 12 rounds, with the over/under at 9 1/2. The over is paying -300, with the under returning at +220. The two fighters went the distance in their first outing, when all three judges gave it to Freshmart by a tight (115-113) score across the board. On Friday, February 5th the Gymnase du Lycee Technique de Monaco in Monte Carlo, Monaco sees action at the opposite end of the weight class spectrum as Heavyweights clash in 10 round action. Johan Duhaupas (32-3) returns to action since his defeat at the hands of WBC World Heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder in his last outing. Duhaupas is a massive -5000 favorite for his match with Brazil’s Marcelo Luz Nascimento (18-11), who is paying back at +2000. Nascimento has fought a lot of names in the last few years, giving them coveted ring time. Duhaupas is a veteran who doesn’t need ring time, he needs a win. Indio, California on Friday night sees Golden Boy Promotions at the Fantasy Springs Casino with a card that has the main events airing on Estrella TV. The feature bouts, showcase two of Golden Boys top, undefeated prospects are all ready getting attention at the sport books. At Super Bantamweight former IBF World Bantamweight champion Randy Caballero (22-0) is moving up to the Super Bantamweight division for this one. Caballero is a major -8500 favorite for his bout with Rubn Garcia, who is 15-1-1. Garcia is returning at +3500, as Garcia is expected to adjust well to his new weight class. Caballero lost the Bantaweight belt on the scales and he has not fought in more than a year, but those factors are not expected to keep Caballero from the win column. In the Welterweight division, amateur blue chipper Frankie Gomez has maintained a perfect 19-0 record as a pro, and he is hoping that 2016 is going to be a breakout year. Here, Gomez faces veteran Silverio Ortiz (34-16) and Gomez is coming in a strong -2000 favorite, with the comeback on Ortiz at +1000. Gomez has been a professional for six years now, and this fight is basically just mor ring time. Gomez is going to need to move into stepped up competition soon. A win here could see GBP use him on the undercard of Saul Alvarez versus Amir Khan this coming May.
