Even Breeders Cup betting players will be checking out the lines for November’s massive boxing matchup between pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manual Marquez, who has a draw and a split decision in his previous two fights with “Pac-Man”. But that was at a lighter weight; can he handle a heavier Pacquiao?
Pacquiao Marquez Odds – Saturday, November 12th, 10:00 PM ET
Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 KOs) is the per head favorite because, quite simply, he has been unbeatable while moving up the ranks. He fought Marquez in 2004 at 126 pounds (draw), and then again in 130 pounds (split decision) in 2008, but he has since moved up to 147 pounds and is clobbering fighters that are much heavier. He destroyed Antonio Margarito at 154 pounds last November before moving back to147 pounds to thump Shane Mosley.
Marquez (53-5-1, 39 KOs) is currently the lightweight champion and he has fought at 147 pounds just once. Of course, it was against Floyd Mayweather in September 2009 and it didn’t end well, although Marquez did well to go the distance. Marquez just isn’t as explosive at 147 pounds as he is at 135, but with Pacquiao’s stature in the boxing game, he calls the shots.
Pacquiao is a -800 favorite in Las Vegas, while Marquez comes in at +550, and Pacquiao should have an easier time with his rival than in the past. Pacquiao hasn’t lost any speed while gaining power, while Marquez had more power in the Mayweather fight, but none of the speed that made him famous. Tease Manny Pacquiao into a Calgary Flames win that Saturday night.
