Undefeated WBC/WBA welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr., left, and WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines face off during an official weigh-in at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Friday, May 1, 2015. The boxers will fight in a welterweight unification bout at the arena on Saturday.
Saturday, May 2, 2015 | 2 a.m.
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By the end of the night, oddsmakers expect Mayweather vs. Pacquiao to rank as the most bet-on fight in Las Vegas history.
The South Point-lined Play of the Day, which started with $10,000 fictional bankrolls, can’t resist joining in.
Floyd Mayweather to win by decision at minus-125: $375 to win $300
Jaw dropping is an overused idiom, but that was my literal reaction upon seeing Mayweather by decision had fallen to an even lower price. It’s been my prediction for how the so-called fight of the century would end ever since it was first discussed five years ago.
I would have considered Mayweather by decision the best bet on the board even at minus-150, where it’s rested for last several months. At minus-125, it becomes a must-take.
Mayweather is notoriously impossible to hit and quite possibly the greatest defensive fighter in the history of boxing. A past-his-peak Pacquiao won’t suddenly find an excess of openings on Mayweather that have eluded 47 other fighters.
Fitting with his defensive mindset, Mayweather plays it notoriously safe in his fights. He’s not going to take any risks in an effort to knock out Pacquiao.
The fight will likely consist of Mayweather allowing Pacquiao to back him into the ropes, and then countering into oblivion. Mayweather is also unequaled in terms of conditioning, a major advantage in case of a close fight.
Pacquiao’s chances to steal rounds will dwindle the further the fight stretches. My only concern with this wager, and reason I didn’t risk more than a typical bet size, is judging.
Mayweather will almost assuredly land more punches and have the more effective offense, but Pacquiao’s activity level is just as likely to turn out higher. It wouldn’t be the first time in boxing history that a larger output fools the judges into giving the wrong guy enough stray rounds to make him the winner.
Standings: Bern (77-67-1, $11,562), Keefer (77-74-2, $10,687), Brewer (68-81-3, $2,595)
Case Keefer can be reached at 948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.
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