Boxing Insider’s Ivan G.Goldman writes: “There’s no final deal on the super-fight everyone’s waiting for, but at least two online sports books have already set up lines and are taking bets for Floyd Mayweather versus Manny Pacquiao on May 2. Floyd has been established as an approximate 3-1 favorite.”
“5dimes set its line at -290 Mayweather and +230 Pacquiao, meaning you have to put up $290 to win $100 on Mayweather. $100 on Pacquiao can win you $230. Over on Bovada, the line is set at -300 Mayweather and +230 Pacquiao,” added Goldman in his January 18 article. View Goldman’s full article here.
Late last year, odds makers did the same thing and it also showed that Mayweather was the favorite to win over Pacquiao. The odds then were -260 for Mayweather as the favorite while Pacquiao the underdog was +220, which means that a $260 bet on Mayweather would earn a $100 while a $100 gamble on Pacquiao would generate $220.
Clearly, Mayweather has always been the favorite as shown in the last two online betting which took place after Pacquiao’s victory over Chris Algieri.
The odds reflect Mayweather’s superior skill in the sport leading to his unbeaten record in 47 pro fights.
In his recent announcement about his decision to finally face Pacquiao in the ring, Mayweather said he isn’t dodging Pacquiao or is he scared of the Filipino boxing icon as fight fans believe. He blames Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum for standing in the way of the long-delayed super fight.
Arum and Pacquiao have already agreed to everything that Mayweather wants in order to have the fight contract signed and the fight to take place on May 2.
Fight fans do not understand why despite Pacquiao’s affirmation of his terms and the overwhelming odds in his favor, Mayweather seems still hesitant to commit himself to fight Pacquiao on his own terms.
While Pacquiao and his camp are still hopeful that Mayweather will sign the contract in the next few days, the unbeaten champion seems to be looking for a graceful exit from the ongoing talks with Pacquiao’s camp.
Speculation is high that he is now looking at a possible rematch against Miguel Cotto for his May 2 scheduled fight, putting the Pacquiao fight effectively on hold.
Cotto is supposed to fight Canelo Alvarez on May 2 but fight negotiations broke down over purse issues.
If Mayweather decides to choose Cotto over Pacquiao for his next fight, it could only mean that Mayweather is indeed scared of losing to Pacquiao.
