Pacquiao runaway favorite vs Marquez

The betting line for the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez fight in Las Vegas on Nov. 12 opened at 8-to-1 with the defending WBO welterweight champion the runaway favorite. Pacquiao was installed a -800 favorite and Marquez, a +500 underdog, meaning for every $800 wager on the Filipino, the dividend is only $100 and for every $100 bet on the Mexican, the return is $500.

Since the opening line, the odds have slightly changed. But not by much. Now, a $750 wager on Pacquiao will bring in $100 and a $100 bet on Marquez will pay back $525. That means, Marquez got a minor boost from his backers.

The over-under betting line has Pacquiao the -135 favorite at under 10 1/2 rounds and Marquez, the +105 underdog at over 10 1/ 2. According to a source familiar with the betting game, this means a $135 wager on Pacquiao to win by knockout before the 1:30 mark of the 11th round will rake in $100 and a $100 bet on Marquez to win by knockout after the 1:30 mark of the 11th will pay off $105.

The other day, I bumped into Gov. Chavit Singson at the Manila Polo Club and asked him about the betting line. He said the safest bet is the “won’t go” proposition, meaning the fight won’t go the distance and will end in a knockout – either way. It’s not a bet to choose a winner. Gov. Singson said he’s certain the bout will end in a knockout or a stoppage. Of course, he’s picking Pacquiao to halt Marquez in six or seven. 

Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach recently said the fight won’t go beyond six rounds. That appears to be the general consensus. High-risk bettors may want to place their money on the round they think it will end. A hit will mean a bigger pay-off for a smaller wager because of the slim odds.

It’s difficult to predict the outcome of a Pacquiao-Marquez fight because their first two meetings were hotly disputed and went the full route. Their styles are similar as both are lethal counterpunchers. Pacquiao likes an opponent to come forward while Marquez prefers a waiting game. Marquez has more polished combinations but Pacquiao is quicker both with his hands and feet. What makes the third encounter different from the first two is the weight factor.

As Gov. Singson explained, Pacquiao had to go down in weight for the first two fights. But in the third meeting, Marquez is bulking up to approximate the catchweight limit of 144 pounds while Pacquiao isn’t cutting down or bloating up. The bigger Marquez is, the easier for Pacquiao to land because the Mexican will be slower with the added weight aside from providing a bigger target. Note also that Marquez is now 38 and Pacquiao, 32.

* * *

Ginebra cager Billy Mamaril’s wife Christine, 28, lies in a coma in the intensive care unit of the Philippine Heart Center after losing consciousness from a seizure last Oct. 16. Mamaril said Christine lost all vital signs of life but was miraculously revived. But she still remains in a deep sleep.

Christine is under the care of neurosurgeon Dr. Joseph Navarro. “They’ve run tests on Christine and she seems okay now,” said Mamaril. “The doctors are really baffled. Everything has been done for Christine, medical-wise. Now, we’re hoping for God’s intervention.”

Christine gave birth to the Mamarils’ second child Sophia only four months ago. Their first child Audrey turned three last Monday. “As of now, Christine seems to be doing better,” said Mamaril. “But she is still asleep and attached to a respirator.”

Mamaril said prayers will make Christine live a normal life again. He’s hoping that healing priest Fr. Fernando Suarez will be able to pay Christine a visit. Fr. Suarez is at the moment on a pilgrimage in the Holy Land and will be back Nov. 5.

Mamaril played in Ginebra’s first three games this conference, averaging 4.3 points, then was placed in the reserve list after Christine was rushed to the hospital. 

 “Luckily, we live right beside my father (former PBA player Romy) in Antipolo so our two kids are being cared for while I stay with Christine in the hospital,” said Mamaril, the sixth overall pick in the 2003 PBA draft from Bakersfield College. Mamaril, 31, is on his second tour of duty with Ginebra after stints with Purefoods, Shell, Coca-Cola and Air 21.

* * *

Coach Juan Cutillas’ Kaya squad showed up to support the Zonta Club of  Muntinlupa and Environs’ campaign against abusing women and children at the benefit bazaar in Ayala Alabang last Sunday. 

The footballers just came from nearby Alabang Country Club where they trounced the ABC Stars, 6-1, to qualify for the quarterfinals in the UFL. They were treated to a lunch of angus beef tapa, eggs, rice and Brooklyn pizza. The players were mobbed by fans, signed autographs and posed for pictures.

Kaya’s four Azkal players were introduced to the big crowd – Anton del Rosario, 29, Nate Burkey, 26, Lexton Moy, 26, and Jason Sabio, 25. The team was accompanied by Cutillas, owner Santi Araneta and team officials Armand del Rosario and Evan Santos.

The day before, three Azkals made an appearance at the same benefit bazaar for the Zonta Club. They were Angel Guirado, Misagh Bahadoran and Topher Camcam.

 “We wish to thank the Azkals and Kaya for showing their wholehearted support for the campaign against abusing women and children,” said Zonta club president Maripi Menendez. “Their presence was very inspiring particularly to the youth although we saw many older fans lining up for autographs and pictures, too. They’re role models for everyone and since football has become popular once more in the country, their show of support will go a long way in promoting our campaign.”