LAS VEGAS — Sports book entries in this brightly lit gaming capital on Saturday pointed to an evolving mismatch at the Thomas and Mack Center.
The odds, minus-220 against plus-180, speak for themselves.
Plainly put, a $220 bet on Manny Pacquiao would yield no more than $100 if the Filipino wins.
On the other hand, a $100 gamble on Erik Morales would pay a whopping $180 in case of an upset.
But there were not enough takers as of Saturday when the Filipino boxing superstar hit town with his big entourage shortly before dark.
Unlike last January, before Pacquiao stopped Morales for the first time, there were not very many Mexicans willing to place a bet on their battle-scarred compatriot.
?It could be an easy fight for Manny,? said international matchmaker Rex ?Wakee? Salud, a trusted Pacquiao confidante.
Salud, rumored to have made a killing together with some political figures in Manila when Pacquiao knocked out Morales last January, said he feared a mismatch.
One need not be an expert, Salud said, in order to predict the most likely ending for Saturday?s Grand Finale, a promised epic.
Salud said facts speak for themselves: Pacquiao is at the peak, Morales is visibly on the wane.
Gene Cortez, who moved into Los Angeles with his family from San Pablo City three years ago, reported that even Mexicans in the school where his wife teaches have since changed affiliation and now side with Pacquiao.
?Bilib talaga, hanga sila kay Manny (They were both awed and inspired by Manny),? he said.
Joebing Malabanan, a Batangue?o builder now staying at Rowland Heights in California, had already spent a full week but, unlike before, could no longer engage Mexicans hot and ready to wager on a Morales win over Pacquiao.
Despite brave claims by his handlers that Morales had licked his recurring weight problems, odds remained clearly stacked against the 30-year-old Mexican warrior.
However, Pacquiao, 27, has refused to be swayed.
?Tama si coach (Freddie Roach), he (Morales) could be very dangerous in the first three rounds,? Pacquiao told the Inquirer after his final workout at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles Saturday.
Pacquiao, who claims to have trained hardest for Saturday?s third encounter with Morales, is expected to come in ready to fight 12 furious rounds.
?I also expect him [Morales] to be at his best,? Pacquiao said.
The odds pointed to a possible mismatch, but Pacquiao swore it could be a tough fight to the end.
