Mayweather Jr. vs. Pacquiao Betting Props
Scott Morris | April 27, 2015
Bookmakers have become creative ahead of the welterweight championship unification bout between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao. The bout is scheduled for May 2 and is just 5 days away. Offshore sportsbooks and Vegas bookmakers have plenty of props for bettors to choose from.
The props are a way for the sportsbooks and casinos to increase their overall handle but these props are ones not normally seen for a boxing match.
Bookmakers have become a bit more creative with the highly anticipated fight that is expected to break all financial records with regard to gate receipts, pay-per-view sales, merchandise sales and overall betting handle.
Traditionally boxing is bet using the moneyline as well as the over/under for the number of rounds the fight will go, with that total often times set at 11.5 for a 12-round bout.
However, for the fight between Mayweather and Pacquiao, books have decided to go outside the box by offering a number of options like knockdown props (will both or at least one be knocked to the canvas), alternative round props and the judges’ scorecards over/under.
One sportsbook put the OVER at 4.5 pounds, along with the 11.5 that is more conventional. The 4.5 rounds OVER has a huge -800 price, but has already attracted action.
Another popular prop thus far on some sites is a bet of yes/no on if there will be at least one boxer knocked down. On that prop, the NO has opened at -180. The Yes has already taken in money.
Bettors can also bet on if both of the fighters will be knocked down, with the opening line No -2500 and Yes +2500. The No has been bet down already to -2000 and the Yes to +1300.
Other casinos and offshore sites have posted the judges scorecard totals offering Mayweather at 345.5 and Pacquiao at 335.5. Since the 10-point must system is in play, the largest total a judge’s scorecard could be is 360.
Most of the prop bets for casinos and offshore sites are in the $20 to $30 range with some even lower, with a minimum of $10. Some have come in higher at $100 with even a few over one thousand dollars.
Small bets usually are for long shot with someone just hoping to catch some luck.
