Pacquiao better bet in Vegas

LAS VEGAS — Erik Morales will certainly go against the odds when he meets Manny Pacquiao Saturday evening (Sunday morning in Manila) at the MGM Grand here.

On the eve of the biggest boxing match of the year so far, the Filipino punching machine has remained the odds-on favorite over the slow-starting Mexican in their scheduled 12-rounder at the 14,000-seat Garden Arena here.

Pacquiao started out as the favorite weeks heading into the fight and remained as that in the eyes of the seasoned MGM oddsmakers. The possibility of the odds swinging in favor of Morales on fight night is slowly being ruled out.

Pacquiao has become the bettor’s choice in this gambling capital of the world.

Pacquiao’s edge, as predicted by the MGM Race and Sports Book, seemed to have grown by the day. From -125 (meaning you have to place $125 on him to win $100) last week, Pacquiao has turned into a -135 favorite close to 24 hours before the fight.

Morales, who reportedly had difficulty meeting the 130 lb limit, has become a +115 underdog (meaning a $100 wager on him would win $115) and will need a lot of Mexican money under his name just to close in on the odds.

Friday afternoon the odds went up to -145 in favor of Pacquiao and +125 for Morales.

Pacquiao’s edge, as lighted up in the Race and Sports Book wall inside the MGM Grand, has grown bigger that some Filipinos are beginning to think twice in coughing it up. But the lure of betting will certainly prevail over them.

"Masyado na maliit ang ibibigay kung manalo si Manny. Pero hindi ka naman tataya sa kabila siyempre," said a US-based Filipino, a frequent visitor at the MGM Grand where millions of dollars change hands everyday.

Whatever the odds are, it’s time to place your bets. — Abac Cordero