LOS ANGELES — Oddsmakers are no longer so bullish about Manny Pacquiao being a steep underdog in his August 21 championship showdown versus Errol Spence at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Pegged as a plus 350 underdog (meaning a $100 wager wins $350) just two weeks ago, the current odds against the Filipino ring icon has dropped precipitously to a mere plus 180.
And while the undefeated American (27-0, 21 KOs) is still favored to prevail in this battle of the world’s elite welterweights, his once prohibitive perch at minus 450 (which means a $450 bet on him wins only $100) has been sliced down significantly to a minus 220.
All these betting swings come in the wake of Week 4 of Pacquiao’s training at the Wild Card gym here in Los Angeles, a world famous sweatshop owned and operated by Hall-of-Fame trainer Freddie Roach who has been on the fighting Senator’s corner since 2001.
Even at age 42, and inactive since July 20, 2019 when he eked out a roughly-fought 12-round split decision over Keith “One Time” Thurman at the MGM Grand Garden Arena also in Las Vegas, Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs) looks fit as a fiddle.
The 42-year old future Hall-of-Fame inductee is also eager and more than ready to rumble.
Fignting a boxer 11 years his junior at age 31 doesn’t bother the pride of General Santos in the Philippines. He said the two-year layoff allowed his body to rest and recover from the wear and tear of a fabulous career that started when he turned pro in January 22, 1995.
He has since balzed a trail to become boxing’s only eight-division champ. (NRR)
