Despite a 21-month absence from the ring following a hasty retirement and a subsequent injury, Floyd Mayweather Jr. opened as a solid -400 favorite (bet $400 to win $100) to beat Juan Manuel Marquez in a welterweight showdown at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Sept. 19. Take back +300 (bet $100 to win $300) on Marquez.
The now 32-year-old Mayweather (39-0, 25 KOs) “retired” shortly after knocking out previously unbeaten Ricky Hatton in December of 2007. Often regarded as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, Mayweather, a six-time world champion in five weight classes, announced his comeback in May and was scheduled to meet Marquez in July but injured a rib in training that forced the two-month postponement. The fight, dubbed “Number One/Numero Uno,” now will take place in conjunction with Mexican Independence Day, traditionally a big boxing weekend.
Marquez (50-4-1, 37 KOs) is a five-time world champion in three weight classes who last fought in February, stopping lightweight champion Juan Diaz. The 35-year-old slugger likely will be the aggressor in the HBO pay-per-view extravaganza.
As is usually the case with high-profile fights, bookmakers are offering several other ways to bet the bout other than fighter versus fighter. The over/under for the scheduled 12-rounder is 9 1/2 rounds with “over” bettors asked to lay -300. Gamblers who believe the bout will not reach the midway point of the 10th round can get +240. What’s more, bettors can lay -185 that the fight goes the full 12 rounds or take +135 that it does not.
Gamblers also can wager on which of the five possible outcomes will occur:
Mayweather by decision- 150
Mayweather by KO, TKO or DQ+250
Marquez by decision+500
Marquez by KO, TKO or DQ+800
Draw+2500
Those looking to erase all past wagering sins can a reap a reward of 100/1 betting that Mayweather wins in the first 60 seconds of the fight or an even more robust 150/1 that Marquez requires a minute or less to claim victory. Lay -110 that either boxer is knocked down in the bout. It’s +160 that Marquez hits the canvas and +550 that Mayweather takes a seat. You also can get +1600 that both fighters are knocked down.
There’s also the usual round betting where the truly clairvoyant can get odds ranging from 16/1 to 80/1 if they can pick the winning fighter in the exact round. Good luck with that.
More modestly, there is group round betting: Mayweather in rounds 1-3, 16/1; Mayweather in rounds 4-6, 12/1; Mayweather in rounds 7-9, 10/1; Mayweather in rounds 10-12, 8/1; Marquez in rounds 1-3, 33/1; Marquez in rounds 4-6, 33/1, Marquez in rounds 7-9, 33/1; Marquez in rounds 10-12, 25/1. Of course, if the fight goes the distance, a distinct possibility, the house collects all this money and pays out nothing.
Whatever wager gamblers make, the intriguing question for bettors will be whether Mayweather can make a successful return from a nearly two-year layoff against such a quality opponent.
A three-bout undercard supports the main event.
The best of that trio of fights has undefeated Chris “The Dragon” John (42-0-2, 22 KOs) risking his WBA featherweight championship in a rematch against Rocky Juarez (28-4-1, 20 KOs). The two fought to a 12-round draw in February but John opened as a -300 favorite this time around. Take back +240 on Juarez.
The total on the scheduled 12-rounder is 10 1/2 rounds with “over” quoted as a strong -500 favorite. “Under” bettors get +350.
Gamblers also can lay -220 that John wins by decision or take +1000 on a John KO or TKO. Juarez by decision is +450 and a Juarez knockout is worth +650. You also can get +1600 that the two fighters battle to a second straight draw.
Another bout on the undercard features Michael “The Great” Katsidis (25-2, 21 KOs) against Vicente Escobedo (21-1, 13 KOs) in a 12-round lightweight attraction for the interim WBO championship.
The evening begins with a 10-round matchup of welterweight veterans, former champion Zab Judah (37-6, 25 KOs) versus Antonio Diaz (45-5-1, 27 KOs).
Odds had not been posted for the Katsidis-Escobedo and Judah-Diaz bouts when we went to press, a condition that surely will be rectified as fight night draws nearer.
After a long summer lacking in many marquee bouts, boxing betting fans should have no complaints finding attractive wagering opportunities on the first big card of the fall season.
