Boxing Odds: Barboza vs Zorrilla Underdog to Pounce

All eyes are on Barboza vs Zorrilla this Friday as the unbeaten super lightweight’s fight for supremacy.

Boxing betting odds have Barboza as the firm -180 favorite to improve his record to 27-0, but not looking to be outdone is Danielito Zorrilla, who has taken on tough opponents recently and come out ahead.

Barboza Eyeing Bigger Targets

Arnold Barboza has done plenty of fighting and has yet to suffer defeat, so we’re not surprised by his confidence.

Barboza is widely regarded as one of the division’s most underappreciated boxers. If he had more knockout victories, he might have received better fight opportunities.

Teofimo Lopez and Barboza have been in discussions for a while, but Lopez has apparently avoided Barboza, despite the -180 favorite having never faced the same level of opposition.

He should be focused on beating Zorrilla, but he has had plenty to say about Lopez.

“Maybe he wants to see how he comes back from his last fight. I think it was a smart decision by his team not to pick us. But he shouldn’t be f*cking lying on the internet saying he wants the top guys and saying we are avoiding him because everyone knows that’s a lie,” Barboza told BoxingScene.com.

“There’s no more waiting around. I got a tough fighter I have to face first. I’m going to win this fight then try again for big fights.”

Barboza vs Zorrilla odds have him as the favorite and rightfully so, but we’re expecting a close fight. The odds should be closer than the sportsbook currently has it framed.

Value with Zorrilla

It would be a mistake to ignore Zorrilla since he could disturb Barboza’s unbeaten record.

In spite of numerous blows to the back of his head, he defeated Ruslan Madiyev in 2021 by technical decision. He then defeated Pablo Cano via knockout, giving him a chance to advance in the rankings.

The knockout in the second round dispelled the doubts of his detractors, and even though he was given the victory over Madiyev for the NABO super lightweight title, the fight was in his favor before it was ruled a TD.

Zorrilla is the +150 underdog in Barboza vs Zorrilla odds and those who bet on boxing fighters can get value.

“In boxing, you have to wait for your turn at bat. I understand that this fight is just that, an opportunity to show who Zorro is so that the promoters and other people are interested in order to continue developing my career,” Zorrilla said.

“A fight against Barboza is big for both him and me. If I win, it positions me at any time for a world title. The changes I made are from heaven to earth. Before it was between 30% and 40% and in this fight it will be seen. I’m going up against a strategic fighter, well his record says so. I am positive to fight and win.”

We see value with Zorrilla, who could outpower Barboza, who is a grinding boxer. Zorrilla could have more power at the back end of the fight and score for underdog bettors.