Following two cancellations, Jamel Herring will finally put his WBO junior lightweight title on the line against Jonathan Oquendo in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Herring and Oquendo had been scheduled to meet on July 2 and July 14, but both bouts had to be postponed after the former twice tested positive for Covid-19.
In order to allow the two fighters ample opportunity to prepare, Top Rank promotions moved the re-arranged showdown and fight fans will finally get to see the pair square off at the MGM Grand Conference Center on Sunday.
Herring Worthy of Favourite Tag
It has been a tough few months for Herring and the New York native will undoubtedly be itching to get in the ring as he attempts to get his career back on track.
Not only has Herring had to deal with the double postponement of this bout, but his slated meeting with Carl Frampton in Ireland was hit by the global pandemic.
Sunday’s trip to the squared circle offers up the perfect chance for Herring, who is a worthy 1/15 favourite, to blow off the cobwebs and get the wheels in motion.
Herring, who turned professional in 2012, makes the second defence of his strap in Las Vegas this weekend and should have few issues in coming through successfully.
Oquendo Needs Early Finish
Oquendo’s 5-1 run since 2017 earned him the opportunity to step in after Herring’s chances of facing Frampton were ended earlier in the year.
The Puerto Rican’s sole defeat during that sequence came in May 2019, losing via unanimous decision to Lamont Roach Jr, and that fight offers an indication as to how Sunday’s bout might play out.
Herring beat Roach Jr comfortably by unanimous decision in November and should’t have too many issues in backing that performance up against Oquendo.
Of Oquendo’s 31 professional victories, 19 have come via knockout, and he has earned a reputation for coming out swinging.
His best chance of pulling off a shock win lies in that approach and expect the 37-year-old to push the pace in the early rounds.
If Oquendo, who is priced at 6/1, can draw Herring into a brawl then he may be able to defy the odds.
Judges to Have Final Say
Looking at method of victory could be the way to go in this fight when trying to find some value.
Herring is known for his technical ability and he is unlikely to fall into the trap of being in an all-out war in Sin City.
Semper Fi has picked up 21 victories during his pro career and he has relied on a decision from the judges on 11 occasions.
Indeed, Herring has heard the final bell in each of his last four trips to the ring and victory by decision, which can be backed at 1/2, looks the way to go.
Away from the method of victory market, it’s also worth considering the Fight to Go The Distance – Yes – which is available at 2/5, and over 10.5 rounds in the O/U Rounds Result market at 5/14.
*All odds correct at time of writing
