Mayweather still favored according to odds, but early bettors pick underdog Pacquiao

Undefeated Floyd Mayweather remains the favorite according to bookmakers, but Manny Pacquiao is slowly gaining ground in betting odds.

 

ESPN reported that 94 percent of the money bet in William Hill, a sports betting service in Nevada, is on the Filipino underdog, with $1,000.00 as the biggest amount placed as of Friday.

 

Considered the biggest fight in the sport financially, the mega-fight is expected to attract the attention of high rollers in Las Vegas, according to a casino executive.

 

"This is the kind of fight that we'll take a lot of big bets, seven figures," MGM Vice-President of Race and Sports Jay Rood told ESPN.com.

 

The total amount of bets handled in Las Vegas is estimated to reach more than $30 million, and is expected to top the figures generated by Mayweather's bout with Marcos Maidana last year.

 

"I'd guess this one will do four or five times more than the Maidana fight," said CG Technology Vice-President of Race and Sports Jason Simbal.

 

Simbal expects bigger bets will be placed on the American boxer with loyal bettors putting their money for every fight, sometimes up to $30,000.00 to win around $5,000.00.

 

But for John Avello, a sportsbook director at Wynn, Pacquiao attracts an even larger amount than Mayweather.

 

"At one time, his following, the Filipino community was coming in and betting his fights for a lot of money," he said. "I think there will certainly be underdog money here. There's no question about that." —Marisse Panaligan/GMA News