Manny Pacquiao is set to fight with Brandon Rios in one of the most anticipated bouts of 2013. Pac-Man is looking to halt his unprecedented two-match losing streak against Bam Bam, a tough fighter coming off his first career loss.
The Filipino superstar is potentially boxing for his career, as a loss or poor performance could signal the end of the 34-year-old’s time in the ring.
It’s obviously going to be an exciting showdown, and perhaps the only way to make it more thrilling is to wager on the outcome. Here’s a look at the latest odds—courtesy of Bovada.lv—and some advice on how to bet the matchup.
Over/Under: 9.5 Rounds (Over +125, Under -175)
This is a rare bout in which the linesmakers have favored an early end over the distance. While most pay-per-view showdowns are pegged to last to the final bell in the 12th round, this one is expected to come to a conclusion before the midpoint of the ninth.
It’s definitely easy to see why this line is set the way it is—Pacquiao has scored a knockout in 38 of his 61 victories, while Rios has KO’d his opponent in 23 of 31 victories—but it’s advisable to back the over here.
Trying to predict a knockout is a foolish proposition, even if these two men have both sent their opponents spiraling to the canvas in a good percentage of their fights.
Don’t get overwhelmed by the hype of two power punchers with little regard defense going against one another, as their trainers have them well-prepared for this matchup, and they clearly know the strengths and weaknesses of one another.
While this one should come down to the wire, there is some leeway if a knockout occurs.
Betting the over not only gives you a solid payout if the outcome is decided by the judges on the scorecards, but it also allows for backers to get paid if a knockout takes place in the latter half of the ninth round or later. That leeway could make all the difference in the world when it comes to cashing a ticket.
Pick: Over
Moneyline: Manny Pacquiao (-500) vs. Brandon Rios (+350)
Pac-Man may not be the “sexiest” bet on the board and the payouts aren’t astronomical, but backing him is the right decision and an almost surefire way to get paid on Saturday.
The veteran pugilist has never had more riding on the outcome of a bout, as he will likely be forced to face his mortality and admit his career has come to an unceremonious end if he is to lose to Bam Bam in Macau, China.
Back-to-back losses are more than enough motivation for Pacquiao, especially after he was brutally knocked out by Juan Manuel Marquez in his most recent fight. It was an embarrassing finish and one that he will look to put in the rear-view with a strong showing against Rios.
Factor in that Pac-Man’s opponent is a tad slow and practically doesn’t believe in protecting himself—Rios is notoriously poor at moving his head and shows a blatant disregard for defense at times—and you are looking at the recipe for an easy victory in favor of the favorite.
It may take a big upfront investment, but this fight was scheduled to put Pacquiao’s career back on track, and the chalk will certainly come through for his backers.
Pick: Pacquiao
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