It is difficult to recall when multi-titled Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao was last installed as a bookmaker’s under-dog. But that is just what he was when he arrived in Los Angeles at the weekend.
Winner of 12 world titles in eight divisions, Pacquiao is in LA to prepare for his 62nd professional fight. His fee is reported by Forbes to be $20million – the same amount received for his last fight against Adrien Broner.
This one is a title bout against WBA super welterweight champion, Keith “One Time” Thurman of Clearwater, Florida.
The fight is set to take place on July 20 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Until then Pacquiao will spend his time working out under the watchful eye of US boxing trainer Freddie Roach.
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The odds of New Jersey bookmakers vary somewhat, but all favor Thurman right now. FanDuel’s for instance, were -145 to +100, PointsBet’s -137 to +113 and 888sport’s -139 to +114.
Roach, one of the best boxing trainers of all time, knows quite a bit about the fight game. In fact he knows quite a bit more than almost any other, trainer/corner man/strategist in the business.
He is clearly prejudiced in favour of the ‘Pacman’. However, before you place a bet on anyone, it may pay you to listen to statements like this one.
“I haven’t made a bet in a long time,” Roach told the media this week, “but the oddsmakers have brought me back.
“I’m going to make a huge score betting on Manny in this fight. Manny loves beating undefeated fighters, especially the younger ones.
“Heck, at this stage of the game, everyone Manny faces is younger. But that makes it fun for him. And when he is having fun, his opponents had better watch out.
Roach: “I was very pleased with Manny’s first day
“I was very pleased with Manny’s first day at Wild Card. Buboy and Justin [Fortune] have him in great condition for the rigors of this part of training camp. We were scheduled for six rounds of sparring and Manny insisted on going eight with two sparing partners.
“He’s running the Hollywood Hills like a deer. Nobody has the work ethic and conditioning like he has. I can already see we are going to have to hold him back throughout camp.
“This is a great matchup. Thurman has youth and size. I’m sure he will come into the ring with 160 pounds behind his big right hand. Manny will be under 150,” Roach pointed out.
“But we will have speed and movement on our side. Winning this fight will come down to taking chances. Manny proved in his last two fights, against Matthysse and Broner, that he has his killer instinct back.
“Thurman is definitely a good fighter, but if you look at his last three fights, he faded a little. He’s not doing quite as well. I’m not sure if his is bored with the sport or he he’s not putting in the hours.
“If you study tapes on him you’ll see the gradual slowdown. Manny, meanwhile is really fresh and top of his game. I don’t care how many years’ older he is than Thurman, it really doesn’t matter.”
