The odds will be against consensus world featherweight boxing champion Manny Pacquiao beating double titlist Juan Manuel Marquez if and when they square off in a proposed Home Box Office (HBO) fight on May 22.
So what else is new? Pacquiao defied bookmakers in dethroning Lehlo Ledwaba of South Africa for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) superbantamweight title in Las Vegas three years ago and also overcame daunting 4-1 odds to halt Marco Antonio Barrera in San Antonio last November. He?s used to the underdog?s role. Pacquiao probably prefers it.
Pacquiao and business manager Rod Nazario are set to meet HBO vice president for sports Gary Davis in a meeting in New York tomorrow to finalize the May 22 fight at the cable network headquarters here. Marquez looms as Pacquiao?s opponent.
