McCaskill vs Ibarra Odds Preview: Can McCaskill Impress Against Ibarra?

The undisputed welterweight champion of the world is back as Jessica McCaskill puts all six of her boxing titles on the line. The challenger – Alma Ibarra, a Mexican fighter who is somewhat green and has fought just one high-profile match in her career. The McCaskill vs Ibarra odds considers this as nothing more than a showcase fight for McCaskill as she sets her sights on bigger things in the future.

McCaskill Eyes Bigger Fights

Jessica McCaskill became just the third female boxer to hold all world titles simultaneously. She managed this feat by also becoming the first boxer to defeat Cecilia Braekhus. McCaskill did this twice. But where is the hype on her? The “CasKILLA” could eye a rematch against Katie Taylor, one of only two boxers to defeat her, or other big fights down the stretch.

“If Katie wants to fight she needs to speak up,” McCaskill said in an interview as she responded to Taylor’s comments prior to her fight with Jennifer Han last September. “She can’t keep pushing stuff off on other people or keep saying ‘oh, I don’t make the choices’ because she’s at a point in her career where she can make anything happen.”

These comments have aged well as Taylor went on to fight Amanda Serrano in the biggest women’s boxing match. Taylor and Serrano put women’s boxing on the map and a rematch against the “Irishwomen” will be “box office” as Stephen A. likes to say.

Another boxing fight preview is McCaskill taking on Chantelle Cameron. The WBC and IBF light-welterweight champion is coming off a dominant win over Victoria Bustos and is keen to make a “big fight.”

“I have gone out and boxed Victoria Bustos, who is a great opponent,” Cameron said following her win over Bustos. “But for me now it’s a case of just stop chasing the undisputed, just chase fights that excite me. And the Jessica McCaskill fight excites me.”

McCaskill will be eager to take that fight if Taylor stays busy elsewhere. Beating Ibarra, who is in front of her, should be no sweat for McCaskill. The McCaskill vs Ibarra odds will prove steady as she earns another one-sided win thus setting her up for a bigger fight.

Fight Information

• Boxer records: Jessica McCaskill (c) (11-2-0, 4 KOs) vs Alma Ibarra (10-1-0, 5 KOs)
• Date: Saturday, 9 p.m. ET
• Television/live stream: DAZN
• Location: Tech Port Arena, San Antonio

Ibarra Ready to Vindicate Herself

Reality is too often harsher than fiction. Ibarra knows that for a fact as her life story would make the ordinary American flinch. She is a single mother who has been fighting professionally since she was 19. As a highly decorated amateur, Ibarra lost her shot at the Olympic Games when she was kidnapped.

Ibarra had already won the first qualifier and was on her way to the next stage when it was taken from her. She went back to fighting as a pro and despite being a seven-time national champion, did not make the Olympics. With a title shot against McCaskill, Ibarra can find some sense of vindication.

“I am very close to being able to make history for myself and for my country,” Ibarra said in Spanish in an interview. “Being the first Mexican to be able to be undisputed, it does not put pressure on me. It is more motivating to be able to continue being part of the books, In amateur, I managed to be one of the first medalists.”

We love underdog stories and Ibarra has the backstory to endear her to the fans even if the majority don’t even know she exists hence the McCaskill vs Ibarra odds being lopsided. But we bet on boxing underdogs looking for that boxer who could flip the odds and prove everyone wrong. Come Saturday, Ibarra will step up and fight for her greatest opportunity.