Mayweather vs. Pacquiao Odds: Early-Week Vegas Lines for Championship Fight
The most eagerly anticipated fight of modern times takes centre stage on Saturday night, as Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao battle it out at the MGM in Las Vegas.
The duo are frequently billed as the two greatest fighters of their era, so along with the three official titles going on the line, the tag of best of the best will also be up for grabs.
Mayweather, of course, is yet to lose a professional fight, with 47 straight victories next to his name. However, chalking up No. 48 will be far from easy against Pacquiao.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Here’s a look at the pick of the current fight odds, via Odds Shark:
| Result | Odds |
| Mayweather to win | 11-25 |
| Pacquiao to win | 7-4 |
| Fight to go the distance | 33-100 |
| Fight not to go the distance | 23-10 |
| Mayweather by KO, TKO or Disqualification | 11-2 |
| Pacquiao by KO, TKO or Disqualification | 4-1 |
| Mayweather by Decision or Technical Decision | 71-100 |
| Pacquiao by Decision or Technical Decision | 15-4 |
Big Fight Set for Even Bigger Finish
This, the richest ever bout in boxing, isn’t going to be a three-round smash and grab—it’s set to go the distance.
There’s a reason Mayweather and Pacquiao have such stunning records—they’re nearly impossible to get the better of and have perfected their contrasting styles.
That sets up an incredible collision, with odds of 33-100 for the fight to last the full 12 rounds, looking the smart money here.
However, which one of these world-class fighters will come out on top after the slog? Well, many are pointing at Mayweather to continue his perfect record, including promoter Eddie Hearn:
Following Hearn’s guidance, the American is 11-2 to win by TKO and a massive 40-1 to win in the 11th round, but rarely does Pretty Boy go chasing the killer punch.
Mayweather’s style of defensive counterpunching has proved incredibly successful, but if Pac-Man really attacks and shows aggression, he can emerge victorious.
Fighters with a fast style have given Mayweather the biggest challenges of his career so far, and it’s safe to say the Filipino can be very quick on the canvas.
Is he good enough to dethrone the king of boxing? Trainer Freddie Roach certainly thinks so—via Jeff Powell of the Daily Mail:
"Manny wins this and he will be king of the world. And he will deserve the roar of the people. What Manny will do in Las Vegas on May 2nd is prove himself the greatest fighter of his generation. The first time anyone can remember Manny ever watching a boxing tape was when I showed him one of Floyd’s fights. Showed him how the game plan can work. He liked it. He said ‘I can do that, no problem.’ He saw how Floyd throws a lot less punches, maybe 35 a round against up to a hundred of his own. But that also persuades him he can afford to be patient if necessary. Either way, Floyd doesn’t have the power to hurt him.
"
Pacquiao to win by decision currently stands at 15-4, and if he gets his tactics right, those odds will look very attractive. A high punch volume and work rate is key to Pac-Man earning the decision against his back-foot opponent.
Pacquiao will be the man flying out of the traps on Saturday, but as long as Mayweather survives the early onslaught, he's the tactically superior of the two fighters. And when the Pac-Man’s fatigue shines through, the American will have the upper hand.
We’ll undoubtedly be seeing the Mayweather jab out in force at the MGM, with the timing of attacks the difference between success and failure.
That will give him the points decision he so sorely craves, and the odds of 71-100 for such an eventuality are short for a reason.
For once, what happens in Vegas won’t be staying in Vegas. The victor of Saturday’s blockbuster bout will quite simply become a boxing immortal. Who that is, though, remains anyone’s guess.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
