NSAwins.com has posted the early boxing odds for the Juan Manuel Marquez vs Floyd Mayweather Jr. welterweight showdown on September 19, 2009 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Vegas oddsmakers have made Mayweather Jr(39-0, 25 KO’s) the 2/9(-450) favorite to win the boxing match and the over/under on total rounds is set at 11.5(Over -145, Under +115).
The fight will air live on HBO pay-per-view and was originally suppossed to take place on July 18, but had to be postponed because Mayweather suffered a rib injury while training for the fight. The fight will mark the return to the ring for Mayweather Jr, who retired over 18 months ago before having a change of heart and deciding to return to the ring. Before he left, Mayweather Jr was considered by many boxing experts to be the sport’s mythical “pound for pound” champion. That title now goes to Manny Pacquiao in the eyes of many boxing fans and pundits.
Marquez(50-4-1, 37 KO’s), who is a 5-time champion in three weight divisions, looks to add his name into the “pound for pound” debate with a win over Mayweather Jr. Marquez is hailed as “Numero Uno” in his native Mexico and will look to give his native country and his fans something to cheer about on the September 19 fight night, which happens to take place in conjunction with Mexico’s “Independence Day”. In February, Marquez defeated lightweight champion Juan Diaz in an action packed fight full of brutality. But he probably earned the most respect from boxing fans and observers in his two fights against Pacquiao, dropping a close decision in their rematch in 2008 after boxing him to a draw in 2004.
Mayweather announced his comeback on the morning of the May 2 match between Hatton and Pacquiao. Since that announcement, many talking heads in boxing circles have criticized Mayweather for dodging the #1 pound-for-pound champ, Pacquiao, and choosing to fight Marquez in his return debut.
“Mayweather could have fought Manny Pacquiao. He just had to wait one day,” said Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach, talking at the press conference after Pacquiao’s punishing one-punch knockout of Hatton.
“I think he’s scared of Pacquiao because he chose Marquez. But we’re not going to wait around. I like to keep Manny busy. A busy fighter is a good fighter. I’d like to get a fight in November or December and we’re not going to wait around for anybody. If (Miguel) Cotto wants to come down a few pounds, we can make it happen. If Shane Mosley wants to come down a few pounds, we can make that happen.”
Mayweather, a 6-time world champion in five weight classes, says he’s not side stepping anyone but says he deserves the right to choose his opponents after putting in his dues over the last 11 years—10 as a world champ.
SATURDAY 9/19/09 UPDATE: NSAwins.com’s expert Boxing Handicapper The LEGEND has offiered the following predictions for tonight’s BIG FIGHT:
The LEGEND’s Prediction: Mayweather Jr -500 and OVER 9.5 Rounds
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