Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (Photo : REUTERS)
Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s September 12 match would likely be an easy win for the unbeaten American boxer. Half of six bookies confirm this with 200 to 1 bet in favor of Mayweather over his opponent, Haitian boxer Andre Berto.
Fightsaga reports that betfair, BETFRED and StanJames.com had "Money May" as the 200:1 favorite. BoyleSports and Sky BET placed it at 100:1, while bet365 at 80:1.
The 200:1 means that a bettor must wager $200 on Mayweather to win $1 because majority of the best placed with the bookies were in favor of the 48-0 pugilist. However, Fightsaga points out that despite the bookies numbers, Berto is no push-over foe.
He won 30 of his 33 bouts. The boxing website also warns that even world-class boxers like Mayweather could lost against an experienced top 15 contender if not motivated and mentally prepared. It cites at least five bouts when the champ lost the match to the contender.
These were in Leon Spinks by unanimous decision in 1978 versus Muhammad Ali, Buster Douglas by KO in 1990 against Mike Tyson, Hasim Rahman by KO in 2001 versus Lennox Lewis, Kirland Lang in 1982 against Roberto Duran and Iran Barkley in 1998 by technical knockout against Thomas Hearns
Fightsaga acknowledges that Mayweather is the heavy favorite to win, but adds, "the odds are not clearly not indicative of Berto's chances."
Digital Journal reports that former IBF & WBA (Super) light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins believes that the underdog Berto could pull a surprise in an upset win over Mayweather. Hopkins explains, "It ain't what Berto is expected to do or not do, it's what Mayweater do or don't do. Mayweather is now in position to be his [own worst enemy] if he's not taking Berto seriously. The burden is not on Berto, he has nothing to lose."
But Digital Journal also takes note of the lack of interest in the fight as evidenced by the huge downgrade in pay-per-view prices as well as tickets, of which the highest price is only $1,500.
