Adam Kramer opens up about his love of celebrity boxing and offers some insight on next month’s Floyd Mayweather vs Logan Paul fight. Don’t miss a section of the action for Mayweather-Paul or any other big event: Read all of our betting picks.
I have a confession to make. I love celebrity boxing. I love that YouTube stars, Jake Paul and Logan Paul, are seemingly generating a new genre of sports betting on their own.
I love that entire stadiums are screaming expletives at them. I love that you might not love them. And most of all, I love that we can bet on this evolving, peculiar circus.
Now, let’s get one thing clear — this isn’t professional “boxing.” That’s not to say that Jake Paul isn’t skilled; when he knocked out former MMA star Ben Askren last month, he proved that he isn’t purely a charade. Whether we want to admit it or not, he can box.
But the events themselves are a glorious mess, and I mean that as a compliment. As we brace for the Floyd Mayweather vs Logan Paul fight on June 6, we are likely to be dealt a production that is strange, awkward, and completely original.
And yes, most of all, entertaining.
As part of the fight leadup this week, Jake Paul stole Mayweather’s hat in an event that felt very staged, but that’s okay. The hat was stolen to sell pay-per-views come June, and sell pay-per-views these two shall.
While odds are a bit all over the place at the moment, Mayweather (-1800) is a sizable favorite over Logan Paul (+950). Given Mayweather’s 50-0 boxing record and Paul’s uneven start to his celebrity boxing career (his brother’s success notwithstanding), this seems like a decent place to begin.
There seems to be some confusion around what these matches are. To be honest, I’m not sure it even matters. Whether you view the Floyd Mayweather vs Logan Paul fight as legitimate or not, these types of events are only going to grow more prevalent and attract names that will likely garner more pay-per-view buys.
No, it’s not the cleanest boxing you’ve ever seen. In fact, some of it is downright grotesque. But from an entertainment standpoint, I can’t help but get swept up in the goofiness.
And that’s exactly what this should all be about. Whether it qualifies as “real" boxing doesn’t really matter. Sometimes it’s perfectly acceptable to embrace something for what it is, and also what it is not.
So let’s celebrate these events, legitimate or not. (Oh, and wager on them. That part is important.)
Floyd Mayweather vs Logan Paul Fight Preview: Celebrity Entertainment or Superstar Showdown?
At the Window: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly From This Week’s Bets
THE GOOD: Canelo Alvarez’s TKO of Billy Joe Saunders
We were close to a clean sweep on the monster boxing match between Canelo Alvarez and Billy Joe Saunders. Last week, I told you I liked the following: Alvarez Defeats Saunders by Knockout, TKO, or Disqualification (-135) and Alvarez vs Saunders Won’t Go the Distance (-121). My only miss was that I picked the fight to end in Round 6 rather than after Round 8. Regardless, a very good night at the window.
THE BAD: Abraham Ancer Just Misses the Win at the 2021 Wells Fargo Championship
Close. That’s been a theme with our golf bets this year, and that was the case once again at the 2021 Wells Fargo Championship. I had Abraham Ancer at 33/1 to win the event, and he finished one stroke behind Rory McIlroy on Sunday at 9-under. Ancer made things interesting with a spectacular 5-under final round to close it out, only to still fall just short. We’ll hit on a golf bet soon — I can feel it.
THE UGLY: 2021 Kentucky Derby Fallout and What Could’ve Been
I’ll likely write about this in more detail soon, but Medina Spirit‘s victory at the 2021 Kentucky Derby was essentially debunked after the horse tested positive for an excessive amount of the steroid Betamethasone. Here’s the part that really hurts; I had a trifecta that could have cashed if either Mandaloun or Hot Rod Charlie won that race.
But no matter what the sport rules about the Derby, the results of the parimutuel betting won’t be altered. If Medina Spirit gets disqualified I technically win, but I won’t get paid. I get it, but it’s still rough.
What I’m Watching: UFC 262, the 2021 Preakness Stakes & 2021 NFL Schedules Ahoy
We’ve got another fun week of sports coming up. Here’s what I have my eye on:
UFC 262: Charles Oliveira vs. Michael Chandler
The card isn’t as stacked as what we saw at UFC 261, but it’s a deep lineup with a fascinating main event. After filling up a stadium for the previous pay-per-view, the UFC will do it again at the Toyota Center in Houston. After a weekend that saw a few fights drop off, let’s hope everyone is healthy and makes weight. If so, we have a delightful fight night slated for Saturday. Read our UFC 262 betting picks and predictions here.
The 2021 Preakness Stakes
What will happen with Medina Spirit? What will the field look like? The Preakness is always a complicated race because it comes just two weeks after the Derby. This year, however, there is plenty of intrigue. It might not garner the same attention as the Run for the Roses, but I certainly will be tuning in (and betting on it), and chances are so will you.
2021 NFL Schedule Release
It’s a big deal. While we know opponents and the general skeleton of the NFL season, each team’s schedules will be revealed on Wednesday. As a fan of the sport, this is always pretty thrilling. The season starts to inch closer. And as someone still in the market for some futures bets, this provides the complete picture for teams and divisions. It’s also a perfect beer-drinking event.
What I’m Betting: UFC 262 & 2021 NFL Futures Bets
UFC 262 Futures Bets
Michael Chandler (+105) vs Charles Oliveira
I love this fight, and I really believe that Chandler’s style could be a problem after such a spectacular debut. Oliveira has obviously been fabulous and plenty capable on the ground, but I believe Chandler will once again be up for it.
Beneil Dariush (-152) vs Tony Ferguson
While I like the underdog in the main event, I’m going chalk in the co-main. Ferguson is coming off two tough losses against tough opponents. Dariush is hot, however, and I could see things staying that way.
2021 NFL Futures Bets
I’ll explain my reasoning in two videos I’ll be doing on the site this week, but here’s a teaser for where I’m heading.
Najee Harris (+1000) to Win 2021 NFL Offensive Rookie Of The Year Award
He’ll have every opportunity to run wild with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Look out.
Zaven Collins (+1100) to Win 2021 NFL Defensive Rookie Of The Year Award
He should really compile some numbers with the Arizona Cardinals. While I thought long and hard about a pass rusher, I settled on Collins here.
All lines are current at PointsBet. PointsBet is offering new customers 2 Risk-Free Bets for up to $2,000. Sign up to claim this welcome promotion today!
