WASHINGTON, D.C.: Manny Pacquiao is at least a 2-1 favorite to win over world welterweight champion Miguel Cotto with less than three months left to their Nov. 14 megafight, according to Las Vegas and other international online oddsmakers.
Based on early betting lines, Bodog Sportsbook lists Pacquiao a minus 265 favorite, which means one needs to bet $265 to win $100. Conversely, a $100 bet on Cotto wins a little more than double at $205.
Early odds offered by Book maker.com are slightly better for Pacquiao fans. A $245 investment on Pacquiao wins $100, while a $100 wager on Cotto nets $195.
The odds in favor of Pacquiao, the reigning pound-for-pound king, are almost the same in UK online betting sites. Bookmakers Skybet, PaddyPower and ToteSport listed Pacquiao a 2-1 favorite.
The odds could change as the fight gets closer, but the betting odds usually get stiffer for those betting on the favored fighter, in this case Pacquiao.
For instance, the betting lines started at minus 180 soon after the fight was announced, meaning betting that amount of dollars wins $100. As of August 20, the odds have changed to minus 190, which means a $190 bet on the Filipino icon nets $100.
As underdog, a $100 wager on Cotto wins $220 when betting lines opened at MGM Grand; now, a $100 bet on the Puerto Rican World Boxing Organization welterweight champ fetches $240.
However, Pacquiao cautions betting persons not to put too much attention on the odds, stressing that when two conditioned fighters square off in the ring anything can happen.
Speaking of conditioning, Cotto started training early for this fight, reporting to the Abner “Pin” Cotto Gym in Aguas Buenas in the first week of August.
“It’s never too early to start training, especially when fighting a boxer with Pacquiao’s caliber,” reported Puerto Rican daily Primera Hora.
Cotto’s Chief trainer Joe Santiago said Cotto will start with a thrice weekly training regimen, gradually building that up to optimize results
Pacquiao, meanwhile, is trying to finish commitments in the Philip pines, mostly filming his television series “Totoy Bato” and a comedy movie with Philippine Olympic silver medalist Onyok Velasco, basketball star Benjie Paras and comedian Long Mejia.
Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach said he wants his prized boxer to spend at least eight weeks in trai ning camp, which he expects to start after completing the fight’s promotional tour.
As suggested by his trainer Freddie Roach, Pacquiao may start his training in Baguio City.
Despite his many non-boxing commitments, Pacquiao stressed that he is not taking Cotto lightly. Pacquiao said he considers Cotto his toughest fight.
Source: manilatimes.net
Friday, August 21, 2009
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