Manny Pacquiao V Juan Manuel Marquez Fight Card: Odds and Predictions

The third fight between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez is poised to draw a full house crowd to the MGM Grand this weekend, as well as attracting millions of pay-per-view buys.

The main event will see The Ring magazine’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter and WBO Welterweight champion Pacquiao look to settle his trilogy with reigning WBO and WBA lightweight champion Marquez. 

There are currently three other quality fights scheduled for the undercard, with two more set to be announced later in the week.

The confirmed lineup for the evening so far is:

Manny Pacquiao v Juan Manuel Marquez (Main Event for the WBO Welterweight Championship)

Timothy Bradley v Joel Casamayor (WBO Light Welterweight Championship)

Mike Alvarado v Breidis Prescott (IBF Latino Light Welterweight Championship)

Luis Cruz v Juan Carlos Burgos (WBO NABO Super Featherweight Championship)

Mexican veteran Jorge Arce and Filipino prospect Lorenzo Villanueva are also slated to fight against opponents who are not yet decided.

Here we take a look at the betting odds and give predictions for each scheduled fight on the card.

Manny Pacquio v Juan Manuel Marquez

BETTING ODDS

Manny Pacquiao is heavily favored in the eyes of most fans, and the Las Vegas bookmakers agree. Pacquiao opened as a -800 favorite in the betting world, with Marquez installed as a huge +500 underdog. 

Since the line was opened, Marquez has received a minor boost from his backers with the line coming down, but anyone who believes the Mexican can pull off the upset will get long odds.

PREDICTION

Marquez has drawn genuine confidence from the pair’s first two fights, believing he had done enough to win at least one of them.

Pacquiao is angered by Marquez claiming he has “beat him twice,” and he is out to set the record straight once and for all.

It can be argued that neither man will produce his best performance, meaning this fight could not be as explosive as fans hope.

While age has slowed Marquez and lessened his power, it is a constant worry for Pacquiao fans that his lifestyle and political career will not dull the performance of one of the greatest fighters of all time.

You can expect Pac Man to fly out of the gate early here and stock up many early rounds on the scorecards. The battle hardened veteran Marquez will get back into the fight and cause Pacquiao some late problems.

When all is said and done, neither man will hit the canvas, and Pac Man will do enough to get a split decision victory.

Timothy Bradley v Joel Casamayor

BETTING ODDS

The Las Vegas bookmakers do not view this as a legitimately competitive fight. They believe Bradley has been given this fight simply to look good and make a bid to face Pacquiao—this is reflected in the -3000 line given for a Bradley win.

Casamayor has quality wins on his resume against Michael Katsidis and Diego Corrales (twice), but that cuts no ice with the bookies who have set a line of +1500 on him pulling off the win.

PREDICTION

Casamayor is a stronger fighter than the betting odds would have you believe, and the first few rounds will likely be a cagey affair as this pair feel each other out.

Bradley is famed for his physical fitness, and he will turn up the pace knowing that a quality win in front of the cameras here could secure a career defining date with Pacquiao.

Expect Casamayor to battle gamely before being stopped in the 10^th round, handing Bradley a TKO victory.

Mike Alvarado v Breidis Prescott

BETTING ODDS

Colombian slugger Prescott will be a betting underdog when he steps into the ring against highly rated Mexican-American prospect Mike Alvarado. 

However, it is worthy of mention that Prescott was a huge underdog in his biggest career victory over Amir Khan. Prescott blindsided then-unbeaten Khan with a first-round knockout win, and his devastating punching power must be a concern to Alvarado.

Alvarado has reeled off 31 straight wins in his professional career, and he's hoping to perform well in front of a worldwide audience at this event to secure himself a big name opponent in the near future.

Alvarado has been installed as a convincing -625 favorite with the bookmakers here, with big punching Prescott tabbed as a +430 underdog.

PREDICTION

Alvarado has impressed throughout his career against good but not great opposition. It is likely that Prescott is the biggest puncher he has faced, and it would not be a shock to see Alvarado adopt a safety first approach with so much at stake here.

This could lead to a drawn out affair as Alvarado stifles the aggressive tendencies of Prescott. If Prescott catches Alvarado, this could end at any time, but it is far more likely that a disciplined Alvarado will jab his way to a unanimous decision victory.

Luis Cruz v Juan Carlos Burgos

BETTING ODDS

No official betting lines have been released yet for this fight, but Top Rank prospect Cruz is widely tipped to beat Burgos before moving onto bigger fights.

PREDICTION

Cruz is an exciting prospect in the Top Rank stable, and this fight is likely a showcase for his talents.

Burgos has built up wins against average opposition, but it would not be a surprise to see him knocked inside of the first four rounds here.