This Showtime main event over the WBA World Welterweight title is between Jamal James and Radzhab Butaev. This bout solidifies a spot against Yordenis Ugas vs Eimantas Stanionis.
We’re looking for the right Jamal James vs Radzhab Butaev Pick in this lucrative fight with near even odds.
Jamal James is the current interim title holder, and and Butaev hasn’t shied away from tough opponents in his short career. He opened as the favorite, and the line has since moved to even odds.
Let’s look closely at the fighters stats and record to pick our best bet for the October 30th, 2021 bout.
Odds and Props for Jamal James vs Radzhab Butaev
| Fighter | Money lines and payout per dollar | Over/Under 10 1/2 |
| Jamal James | -115, $0.87 | O -225, $0.44 |
| Radzhab Butaev | -115, $0.87 | U +185, $1.85 |
Radzhab opened near -105, but as the fight approaches James may take his rightful place as the favorite. The over is the favorite, as neither fighter has ever been knocked out. Ugas was James’s toughest test to date, and the bout made it all ten rounds. Even 27-4 knockout artist Abel Ramos couldn’t put James down.
Butaev has fought a series of tough fighters including four undefeated fighters. He was defeated in a decision by Alexander Besputin but it was overturned due to Besputin’s failed drug test.
Other Prop Bets for Jamal James vs Radzhab Butaev
| Prop Bet | Odds |
| Fight Goes to Decision | -210 |
| Fight Doesn’t Go to Decision | +170 |
| James via TKO | +550 |
| Butaev via Decision | +220 |
| James via Decision | +140 |
Fight goes to decision at -210 pays out $0.48 per dollar wagered, a reasonable amount for a probable outcome.
I see James coming out on top, and a decision win is likely. However, James is the most decorated knockout puncher Butaev has faced. It makes me less confident in specific, fight calling props.
Tale of the Tape for James vs Butaev
| Jamal James | Radzhab Butaev | |
| Age | 33 | 27 |
| Height | 6’2’’ | 5’10’’ |
| Reach | 70” | 72” |
| Total Fights | 28 | 14 |
| Record | 27-1 | 13-0, 1 NC |
| Knockouts | 12 | 10 |
| Stance | Orthodox | Orthodox |
| Career
rounds |
173 | 57 |
| Inactivity | 447 Days | 307 Days |
| Weight class | Welterweight | Welterweight |
Butaev is younger, significantly shorter, and carries a two inch reach advantage. His knockout percentage is much better. James only has knockouts in three of his last twelve fights. Many of his KO’s came prior to 2015 against mid and low level fighters.
Butaev and Jamal James’ Boxing Record
This is the first undefeated fighter Jamal has ever faced. Both fighters have faced then 19-0-1 Janer Gonzalez. Jamal caused him to retire after round six, while Butaev defeated him in an 8 round unanimous decision.
Janer had 15 career knockouts and didn’t knock down either fighter.
Outside of this bout, James has the superior opponent quality.
Butaev’s Knockout Power
Butaev has finished four of his last six fights and seven of his last nine fights. Five of these are third round finishes, and two are first round finishes. We will find out early if Jamal can hang with the power of Butaev.
Even fighters who survive don’t don’t have close showings. Butaev’s three decision winns gave up four rounds total. He’s lost six rounds his whole professional career.
Butaev vs James Fight Stats
James is a cumulation striker. He likes to wear on the opponent. Check out this clip from the Dulorme fight, where James demonstrates his accuracy in long combinations.
Can you count how many punches @JamalShango landed in this combination? ??? #JamesDulorme #PBConFOX pic.twitter.com/djo7D6yYd6
— Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) August 9, 2020
Butaev has a strong left hook. It’s put down a number of fighters with body shots, so James will need to keep his hands and I’d prefer to see him fighting from the outside. In the Chatwood fight, Butaev bullied him around the ring. Butaev will stalk the opponent and clinch to weigh on them, using his forearm to frame.
Radzhab Butaev vs Terry Chatwood Full Fight https://t.co/j78FnKsCm7
— #JamesButaev (@BatmanBoxing) October 26, 2021
Butaev’s punching power is underestimated, but his boxing is even more so. His overturned loss to Besputin showed that he only gave up four rounds despite Besputin testing for a slew of PEDs. Butaev wasn’t knocked down, and shifted strategies when he couldn’t keep up with Besputin.
Final Betting Pick for Jamal James vs Radzhab Butaev
After looking closely at their styles, Butaev has real advantages in pushing James around the rign. I think he will force the clinch to defend agasint Jamal’s combination striking and has a real possibility of winning either a decision or TKO.
If you’re looking for a better understanding of boxing betting, check out our guide.
