LAS VEGAS–Maybe Floyd Mayweather Jr. is the world’s finest welterweight. True welterweight, that is. Manny Pacquaio officially weighed in at 143 pounds for his Chapter III bout against slick mexcian counterpuncher Juan Manuel Marquez (a trim, ready 142 pounds) Friday afternoon at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino.
I say Mayweather may be the true full-fledged welterweight king because Pacman and Marquez, whose first round in this fight will be their 25th frame of gloved combat, were closer to the junior welterweight limit of 140 than they were to 147 pounds.
The agreed to contact weight was 144 pounds. Marquez’s weight was exactly the same as for his one-sided decison loss to the unbeaten “Money” Mayweather. For his part, Floyd charges that Pacman “is just fighting my leftovers.”
Vegas oddsmakers give Marquez, 38, little chance of winning this fight. The bookies have Pinoy Idol Pacman listed as a prohibitive 10-1 wagering favorite.
It’s likely that more people will be wagering on how long the scheduled 12-rounder goes than who will win it.
