Punters with underdog Pacquiao as ‘fight of century’ draws near

WE’RE under a month away from the most-hyped boxing bout in recent history, but where are the punters putting their money?

It’s Floyd “Money” Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao and the money has come flooding in for the 36-year-old Filipino boxer with most bookmakers.

Mayweather opened at $1.33 with Australian bookmakers, but punters have climbed into the value price with Pacquiao and the market has evened up much closer than expected.

Mayweather, who is looking to keep his unbeaten record of 47 wins and no losses, has drifted to $1.44 at WilliamHill.com.au on the back of strong support for the underdog Pacquiao.

A large majority of the money has come from overseas with punters in the U.S betting as much as US$50,000 on Pacquiao and the bookmakers quickly altered their markets with Pacquiao firming into $2.87 after opening as high as $3.30.

Bookmakers are taking bets on Pacquiao at a six-to-one rate, but there have still been big bets come in for Mayweather, who still remains the public favourite, especially with the high-profile celebrity bettors.

Two weeks ago a large six-figure bet was accordingly placed on Mayweather at $1.40 and another smaller six-figure bet was also placed, but overall the action has been for Pac-Man.

“The public is on the dog [underdog],” boxing expert Art Manteris said.

“Some of the best sports handicappers and guys I respect the most are on the favourite.

“I’m just not sure I agree with them this time.

“For a month away, the handle is astronomical.”

A leading Las Vegas bookmaker doesn’t expect this fight to reach the US$115 million bet on the Super Bowl, but he believes it will be the biggest boxing bout in history.

“Hearns-Leonard, Tyson-Holyfield, those were big betting fights,” Avello said.

“It’s different now. The whole business feels different as far as boxing is concerned.

“But the action on Mayweather vs. Pacquiao is steady, big steady action.

“This is going to live up to the hype.”

Mayweather brings out the bling

For a man who carries around US$1 million in a briefcase for fun, it’s hardly surprising that Floyd “Money” Mayweather will actually have real money inside his mouth when he takes on Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand on May 3, 2015.

The 38-year-old has had custom-made mouth guards made for his upcoming fight and each of them cost US$25,000.

What’s gone into these mouth guards you ask? Mayweather customises his guards with gold flakes, diamonds and real $100 bills which are molded into the guard.

“My career’s gone on 19 years and I’ve been able to preserve my smile,” Mayweather said, and we can’t argue with that.

U.S.A fans cheering for Pacquiao

According to Bob Arum from respected boxing magazine Top Rank, most American’s will be rooting for Manny Pacquiao.

“Most Americans you would think would be rooting for Mayweather, but the contrast is true,” Arum said.

“The majority of the American population is rooting for Manny.

“It’s slowly developing into a culture clash. Floyd Mayweather is outstanding at marketing himself and in his own words represents ostentatious materialism.”

Despite Pacquiao ($2.87 at Sportsbet.com.au) not being american, Arum thinks Mayweather’s flashy nature will play against him in this fight.

“Pacquiao feels tremendous obligation to give back and engage in charitable endeavours.”

Neither fighter has scored a recent knockout so the backing both fighters to win by decision isn’t the worst bet in the world.