Pacquiao vs. Algieri Odds: Updated Vegas Fight Lines for Championship Fight

Manny Pacquiao is no stranger to playing the role of favorite. He'll do it once again when he faces off with Chris Algieri, an unbeaten fighter looking to break through on the worldwide boxing scene. Pulling off the upset would be the perfect way to accomplish that goal.

The only question is how the line might move over the final few days before the bout. Pac-Man opened as a pretty substantial favorite. He remains the clear oddsmakers' choice, but things have trended slightly in Algieri's favor so far.

Let's check out how the odds are shaping up with two days until the championship bout. It's followed by some analysis and a forecast for how things might change before the opening bell rings.

Fight Odds

Boxer	Opening Line	Current Line
Manny Pacquiao	-1250	-750
Chris Algieri	+650	+475

Analysis

Pacquiao is the rightful favorite. When you compare the track records of the two fighters, it's no contest.

This amounts to Algieri's first true marquee bout, and the mystery factor that comes along with that distinction has likely played a role in his odds dropping a bit. It's hard to imagine much more of a shift in his direction, though.

The Pacquiao camp doesn't sound overly concerned about the challenge that lies ahead. Greg Logan of Newsday passed along comments from famed trainer Freddie Roach, who said the favorite is privately expecting to make quick work of the American.

"Manny told me, 'One round,'" Roach said. "He's never done that. He won't repeat it, but that's what he said: 'One round.'"

While that's certainly optimistic, Pac-Man could use a knockout victory. He hasn't earned once since his clash with Miguel Cotto in 2009. It's led to speculation that the power and speed combination that made him a special talent is beginning to fade.

On the flip side, Algieri can benefit from the underdog role. It takes at least some of the pressure off his shoulders heading into his first spotlight fight. He holds a 20-0 career record, but this represents a significant increase in the level of competition.

Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times notes that his background also fits the mold of an underdog:

Looking ahead, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Pacquiao's odds as the favorite move back toward the opening line before the fight. All the comments coming out of his camp have been positive, and he's coming off two straight convincing victories.

Algieri is a promising fighter to watch over the next few years. But there's simply not enough upside at his current odds. He faces an uphill battle Saturday, and it would qualify as a major surprise if he's able to pull off the upset.

That said, if you're going to suffer your first loss, it's no shame if it comes at the hands of Pacquiao.