Murodjon Akhmadaliev vs Ricardo Espinoza Predictions: Inoue awaits for the winner

Murodjon Akhmadaliev will face Ricardo Espinoza for the WBA interim super bantamweight championship this Saturday, December 14. The bout headlines the card at Salle Des Etoiles, Monte Carlo with action from the likes of Maxi Hughes and Cheavon Clarke. DAZN will screen the event live.

Here are my Akhmadaliev vs Espinoza predictions ahead of a fight with high stakes.

The stakes stretch beyond the spurious WBA interim strap on the line. The belt itself is a needless bolt-on, but this fight is a rare case of it representing something that could prove significant. If the WBA does it’s job (stop laughing at the back) then they could enforce a mandatory fight between the winner in Monte Carlo and the victor in Naoya Inoue’s Christmas Eve undisputed title defence against Sam Goodman.

The belt might be as gaudy and unnecessary as an extra bauble on an already-heaving tree, but a possible fight against the pound-for-pound best fighter on the planet is a prize of true worth. 

If Inoue comes through against Goodman, a result you can currently get 1/20 on, then the winner of Saturday’s Monte Carlo match-up will be one of the first in line to face him next. That’s the sort of fight every boxer in the lower weights craves. The big stage against the most gifted fighter the world can currently offer.

But first, Akhmadaliev and Espinoza must meet. The former knows all about reigning as champion in this division. Akhmadaliev is a former unified IBF and WBA champion, having won the titles from Daniel Roman back in 2020.

The southpaw defended his dual-crown three times, scoring two knockouts. Ryosuke Isawa, Jose Velasquez and Ronny Rios fell victim to ‘MJ’ during a fine title reign. But Akhmadaliev’s stint in charge came to an end against Marlon Tapales, who pipped him via split decision last year.

Akhmadaliev has put that result behind him with a fine eighth-round TKO of Kevin Gonzalez. The only concern is the fact that a year has passed since that victory. In terms of ring-ready freshness, the advantage belongs to his opponent. 

Espinoza has been out twice this year, winning both fights via knockout. It has given ‘Hindu’ some much-needed momentum after his sole fight of 2023 ended in the first round as a No Contest. 

Espinoza has faced top fighters like the aforementioned Danny Roman and John Riel Casimiro. But he did come up short in that world class company. The 27-year-old now has a chance to prove he belongs at this elevated level against a fighter who has thrived at the sharp end for the past few years.

This fight represents a golden ticket for these two top super bantams. An Inoue fight sits tantalisingly close on the horizon. Only one of Akhmadaliev and Espinoza can grab it. This should be a fascinating clash with the ultimate prize on the line.

Akhmadaliev vs Espinoza Fight Odds

Akhmadaliev is a 1/25 favourite to take the interim strap here. Espinoza is available at 11/1 while a draw is priced at 22/1.

Akhmadaliev vs Espinoza Full Card

Murodjon Akhmadaliev vs. Ricardo Espinoza Franco

Cheavon Clarke vs. Leonardo Mosquea

Beatriz Ferreira vs. Licia Boudersa

Gary Cully vs. Maxi Hughes

Teremoana Jr vs. Volodymyr Katsuk

Akhmadaliev vs Espinoza Predictions

I think Akhmadaliev gets this done with the minimum of fuss. Espinoza has what it takes to stay in there against the former world champion, but I can’t see him winning the fight. I’m picking Akhmadaliev via decision at 2/1.

You can find all our latest boxing betting tips and analysis at our Betfred Insights Boxing page and our latest boxing odds here.