2021’s first significant boxing bout is an eye-catcher as Ryan Garcia takes on Luke Campbell on Jan. 2 to determine who will move on to bigger and better things in the lightweight division.

BetAmerica has the preview and pick you need to get the new year started right.

Fast mouth, faster hands

While Garcia may seem insufferable outside the ring to some, he’s a hot prospect to watch. Sporting some of the fastest hands in any division and considerable power to boot, Garcia is taking a decent step up in competition against Campbell. Campbell is the most experienced opponent Garcia has fought, but he’s far from dangerous.

This fight presents an opportunity for Garcia to display his versatility. Campbell has been in against the top fighters in the division, and a comprehensive victory would go a long way in establishing the 22-year-old’s credentials as a future star.

Can Campbell overcome his big fight issues?

Campbell’s losses to Jorge Linares and Vasyl Lomachenko saw him shrink under the big lights. A slow start ensured his strong finish against Linares went to waste, and his awful game plan against Lomachenko had him try to outthink one of the smartest fighters on the planet. Because Campbell is so textbook in all aspects of his approach, he’s easy to figure out.

There’s no extra gear or even a sense of urgency when a fight starts going south. Campbell just sticks to his game plan even when it doesn’t work. He doesn’t have enough power or speed to make such a conservative style work, and he struggles mightily when his opponent is faster than him. All signs seem to suggest Campbell is setting himself up to catch a beating.

Garcia will stop Campbell

Nobody is going to mistake Garcia for Lomachenko at this stage of his career, but he cracks like a whip and will stifle Campbell with his speed. While Linares and Lomachenko were both smaller than him, Garcia won’t have that disadvantage, and we’ll be sure to see that unfolding within the first three rounds.

If Garcia doesn’t score the stoppage from a left hook from nowhere, he’s going to catch Campbell and force a TKO ahead of the championship rounds. Expect Garcia to end the fight between rounds seven and nine (+400) in a fight that will establish him as a potential player at lightweight.

Pick: Ryan Garcia