Cruz Set to Hand Romero First Career Loss
Champion Favored to Snap Win Streak Per the Cruz vs Romero Odds
Erika Cruz puts her WBA bantamweight title on the line against Nazarena Romero in Mexico on Saturday. The Cruz vs Romero odds have Cruz at -250 to defend her title in front of her home crowd in Aguascalientes. Romero has yet to suffer a defeat from 14 fights so she could provide the champion with a stern test.
Business as Usual for Cruz
The 33-year-old Mexican has two losses on her record, but one of them came against Amanda Serrano for the five featherweight belts in 2023. Cruz put up a good fight considering her boxing betting odds against Serrano, and she lost no admirers. She’s the -250 favorite to dispatch for Romero. We fancy her chances of beating the 13-0-1 fighter.
Since losing to Serrano, she scored a unanimous decision victory over Melissa Parker before comfortably beating Mayerlin Rivas by a majority decision. One judge picked a draw, but she was easily ahead on the other two judges’ scorecards. That win should give her confidence, and we thought she would be at a shorter price with Cruz vs Romero odds.
Getting -250 for the current champion is a fair price, and she is talking a big game in the lead-up.
“I’m stepping into the ring not just to defend my title, but to conquer, Romero may be the mandatory opponent, but my sights are set on bigger dreams. Yamileth Mercado [WBC], Ellie Scotney [IBF], Segolene Lefebvre [WBO] — I’m coming for all the belts. Romero won’t be the one to stand in the way of my destiny.” Cruz said.
She has fought in bigger boxing events. But the favorite can’t rest on her laurels ahead of the title defense.
Romero Eyes Big Upset
Betting on boxing is all about finding value, but we would have liked bigger odds than +200. Romero scored three consecutive TKO victories against poor opponents before ending her fight with Rivas with a technical draw. They clashed heads in the fifth round, which caused Romero to have a deep cut on her left eyelid. That’s also a concern ahead of this fight, as old wounds can open up more easily.
One judge had her ahead 50-44 at the time of the stoppage, but the other two judges had the fight at 46-48 and 47-47. Regardless of these suspect scores, Romero now fights in her toughest test. She had to wait for the champion of the Cruz vs Rivas fight and she’s hoping to take her chances. However, her lack of ring time could pose a problem. She has gone only five rounds in the last 12 months, so the +200 price with Cruz vs Romero odds is on the lighter side of value.
Much like Cruz, she’s confident, but she isn’t getting ahead of herself and looking at future opponents like Cruz.
“I think my time has come. In my life nothing was, is, or will be easy. I was born for this, and I feel like the best of all. I prepare like a champion, I think like a champion and I need to live like a champion.” Romero said.
Nothing to Lose For Cruz
Well… bettors have their money to lose, but we don’t see the champion losing her belt on Saturday at Palenque de la Feria. She has shown mental toughness throughout her career, and her performance against Serrano stands out as the best form guide.
Romero doesn’t have the same level of experience, so we’re locking in the -250 odds and including Cruz in our boxing parlays for a big weekend of boxing action.
She knows the discomfort of losing, and we doubt she wants to go through that again.
For Boxing betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
