Written By: @PayneInsider
Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez Betting Odds
Line: Pacquiao -250 favorite, Marquez +220 underdog
Over/Under: 10.5 rounds
Saturday night the MGM Grand Garden Arena hosts two fighters who fame and favor have not shunned despite age. The two brawlers are familiar with this city, the big stage, and more importantly, or each other. These two warriors have provided the sport of boxing a trio of action-packed bouts that have left fight fans throughout the world extremely satisfied. This match represents the fourth time Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez have squared off in the ring since 2004.
Over the past few weeks there’s been plenty of hype from the Pacquiao camp regarding how well prepared he is for this fight. By comparison, Marquez’s team has been low-key and extremely secretive about how their guy’s training has gone. But when you’re talking about these two fighters, there isn’t much either can bring to the table at this stage in their careers that the other doesn’t already know.
They last went toe to toe for the full twelve just a year ago, making it a total of thirty-six rounds in eight years. What’s so amazing about this epic battle between two of the greatest boxers is the fact that if not for the judgment of referee Joe Cortez the first go-round in May of 2004, we most likely wouldn’t have the pleasure of viewing the quartet this evening.
Many fans are not excited to see the fourth installment of this fight. However, you can’t deny this fight will be a technical clinic. One of the greatest boxing cliches is; ‘styles make fights,’ this fight becomes the definition of that. Pacquiao is an aggressive, high volume puncher and Marquez is one of the best counterpunchers in the world. When the dust settles, it’s all about what the judges like. If the judges like aggressive style fighting and initiating the battle, then they will side with Pacquiao once again. If they are patient, and don’t mind counter-style fighting, then they will favor Marquez.
Most, including myself, believe Juan Manuel Marquez won the last fight despite judges giving Manny Pacquiao the majority decision victory. The controversy that ensued after is the reason we get another opportunity to determine who is truly the better of the two fighters, if of course one is able to finally win convincingly.
Betting odds opened Manny Pacquiao as a -350 favorite over Juan Manuel Marquez, who in turn offers his backers a generous +280 if he can finally pull it off. If you remember, this price reflects a major adjustment from a year ago when Pacquiao who was defending his WBO welterweight title was listed as high as -800! After the first three fights being the ultimate coin flip, we’ve seen sharp money come in on the underdog Marquez. Current odds have Manny Pacquiao -250 with the return price on Marquez at +220.
Both fighters can take a serious punch, their chins have never been in question – judges likely decide these fighters fate again Saturday night. Pacquaio and Marquez know each other in-and-out, and that familiarity is where in lies our edge. Marquez has never been knocked out in any of his fights and Pacquiao has not been finished inside the distance since 1999 when Medgoen Singsurat KO’d him for the Lineal Flyweight Title. With a coin-flip bout on our hands the value Marquez presents to the bettor is hard to pass up. Simply put, at +220 you only need Marquez to win this fight 32% of the time to earn profit long-term.
Pacquiao vs Marquez 4 Free Betting Pick: Juan Manuel Marquez +220