Odds Favour Pacquiao for Fight Four

Odds Favour Pacquiao for Fight Four

By Michael Gales Nov 13, 2012

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Boxing action on December 8th sees Manny Pacquiao as the 1.296* favourite face Juan Manuel Marquez 3.960* for the fourth time, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Before placing money on Pacquiao vs Marquez betting, read on for key fight statistics.

Key Fight Statistics

Manny Pacquiao is the 1.296* favourite to beat Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez 3.960* in a 12-round welterweight battle between two of this era’s top pound for pound fighters.

Pacquiao returns to the Fight Capital of the World as the only fighter to win eight world titles in as many weight divisions. The 33-year-old boasts a record of 54 wins, two defeats and four draws. The Southpaw has 38 knockouts, with a knockout percentage of 63.33%.

The Pac Man goes into the bout on the back of a first defeat in 15 fights after losing a highly controversial split decision defeat against Timothy Bradley.

His rival Marquez is one of only a rare few fighters from Mxico to have won world titles in four different weight divisions. The 39-year-old orthodox pugilist has the same reach as Pacquiao (170cm) and is just 1cm taller than his opponent (170cm).

The Mexican enters the ring with a similar record to his opponent with 54 wins, six defeats and one draw, while he has a slightly better knockout percentage of 63.93.

Pacquiao vs. Marquez History

Pacquiao and Marquez have already fought three brutal wars, with Manny winning two and the other judged as a draw.

That stalemate was the pair’s first meeting back in 2004, and went for 12 pulsating rounds, with Marquez knocked down three times in the first round. The decision was a controversial one, as both boxers felt they had done enough to win.

Four years later the first rematch was again very close, with Mrquez landing the most punches but the decisive factor proved to be a third-round knockdown, where Mrquez was floored by Pacquiao, helping him win by split decision.

The trilogy was complete in 2011 as Pacquiao won via majority decision, however the Marquez camp contested the result, with many onlookers having the Mexican as the winner.

Each fight has been closely fought due to Mrquez’s counterpunch style, which works effectively against the aggressive style of Pacquiao.

By looking at the overall fight statistics for the three Pacquiao vs. Marquez fights it shows the ‘Pac Man’ lands just 26% of his punches thrown compared to Marquez’ 31%, while the former lands more power punches with a success rate of 41% compared to Marquez’ 39%.

Interestingly, the odds suggest that Pacquiao is less favoured this time around than 12 months ago. The Filipino’s odds have drifted from 1.118 last time to 1.296*, while Marquez’s odds have shortened from 6.510 to 3.960*.

Both Fighters Enjoy Lights of Las Vegas

With the fight being held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas it is important to look at both boxers record in the fight capital of the world.

Marquez has a win percentage of 75% in Las Vegas from his 20 fights, while Pacquiao’s is at 79%. Inside the MGM Grand, however, Pacquiao enjoys a 66% win ratio, while Marquez has only won half of his six bouts.

The pair have fought each other twice at this venue, ending in a draw and a Pacquiao win in fights one and three respectively.

Will the Fight Go the Distance?

Pacquiao vs. Marquez betting is also available via the over/under market for total rounds.

This is an interesting market as all previous bouts between the two have gone the distance. Odds of 1.435* suggest the bout will go past 10.5 rounds, while 3.050* is available if you think the bout will end before 10.5 rounds.

Surprisingly Pacquiao hasn’t stopped an opponent in three years—a span of five fights. This is the longest KO drought in his career, however he has stated he wants to knock Marquez out – a feat no one has managed.

By looking at each boxer’s records, Pacquiao has finished 80% of his fights before the tenth round, however 60% of his last ten fights have gone over ten rounds, which include his last five.

In comparison 71% of Marquez’s fights have finished before the tenth round, while 70% of his last ten bouts have all gone over.

Pacquiao favours an early finish with 82% of his knockouts coming before round 7, while Marquez favours a late surge with 54% of his victims falling in the later six rounds.

With both the stats and odds suggesting another close fight, bettors will no doubt be split as to whom they will back. However, be sure to bet with Pinnacle Sports who offer the best Pacquiao vs. Marquez Betting odds online.

*Odds subject to change

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