They haven?t signed their names above the dotted line but Floyd Mayweather is the clear favorite in case he finally decides to face livewire Filipino rival Manny Pacquiao next year.
The undefeated Mayweather has been listed as a 3-1 favorite over Pacquiao even as different parties are moving heaven and earth to make the fight happen in the first six months of 2015.
According to Las Vegas oddsmakers, Mayweather is a -300 favorite and Pacquiao a -250 underdog, translating to a win of just $100 for a $300 wager on Mayweather and a fat $250 return on just $100 on Pacquiao.
The figures seem very rational since Mayweather is known for his defensive tactics and durable chin, while Pacquiao hasn?t really been very explosive the last few years.
In case a Mayweather-Pacquiao fight takes place, they are expected to meet at welterweight (147 lbs) or even at a super-welter catch weight of 150 or 151.
Since overwhelming and upsetting Oscar Dela Hoya in 2008, Pacquiao has entered a fight the favorite.
But it won?t be that way when he goes up against Mayweather, who has beaten Miguel Cotto, Shane Mosley, Canelo Alvarez and Marcos Maidana rather easily the past couple of years.
Pacquiao is fresh from a lopsided win over Chris Algieri in Macau and is craving to finally face off with Mayweather in what will turn out to be the richest fight in history of the sport.
Pacquiao, who turns 36 on Dec. 17, said he is willing to sacrifice a lot of things so as to make the fight a reality.
Bob Arum, the Hall of Fame promoter and head of Top Rank, said he is trying his best to make the fight to settle the issue about who is the superior fighter once and for all. Even a group in the oil-rick United Arab Emirates is said to be working to arrange a fight featuring the two.
However, Mike Koncz is reluctant to believe that the Middle East group has the right connections to pull it off. (N. Giongco)
