The fight some thought may not take place because legal issues will actually happen. In this article, we have our Boxing Odds for next Saturday’s WBC/IBF Title Fight between Errol Spence Jr. and Manny Pacquiao. Who will be able to bring home the title?
Errol Spence Jr. Boxing Odds Favorite Despite Car Crash
The welterweight division is for those fighters who weigh between 67 and 70 kg or 147-154 pounds. The lower limit of the weight class is right at 147 pounds. Basically, these are weight classes that often see quite a bit of fluctuation. Fighters have a difficult maintaining weight within these small windows. It is why titles can often go vacant in these classes.
This weight division usually has several constants contending in it. Spence Jr. has been champion for almost four years now. He won the IBF title in 2017 after dropping and stopping then champion, Kell Brook. Originally, Brook was supposed to fight Amir Khan but that fell through. Spence Jr. did not fight his best but he beat Brook on his home turf. The fight had to be stopped in the 11th round when Brook could not see anymore.
Two years later, Spence Jr. won the WBF title defeating Shawn Porter by split decision. Many considered this to be the fight of the year as both fighters landed some incredible shots. There were plenty of ebbs and flows as Spence Jr. ultimately won a tightly contested affair.
The fighter was born on Long Island but fights all over the United States mostly. He hopes that a convincing win over Manny Pacquiao is a sign that he is back in form after an awful car crash that nearly killed him.
This is where the debate for Boxing Odds begins. Naturally, no one quite knows what will happen in this fight because “The Truth” is fighting Manny Pacquiao, a true boxing legend. Spence Jr. wants to knock him out but will he be able to?
Is Errol Spence Jr. Trying to End a Legend?
There is little doubt why Spence Jr. is the favorite. There is no fighter in this weight class that can look more dominant. He has a style that can punish other fighters and make them pay. Since winning the IBF title, he has defended it five times winning all five. That includes two stoppages (KO And RTD), two unanimous decisions, and one split decision.
However, the one-year plus layoff after the car crash did affect Errol Spence Jr. early in his fight against Danny Garcia. As Spence Jr. went on in the fight, one saw more and more of the old form and even some new techniques which befuddled Garcia.
Spence Jr. wants to grow on that and knock out Manny Pacquiao.
“I want to retire him but I do respect him for taking this fight and being a real fighter. He could’ve picked Joe Blow or somebody, or an MMA fighter just to get a huge paycheck. Instead, he took the biggest challenge in the division.”
More on Manny Pacquiao As Spence Jr. Fight Approaches
Ahead of next Saturday’s bout, the Boxing odds are out and Pacquiao is a decided underdog. The Filipino has been listed between +160 and +170, while Spence Jr. has been a reasonable favorite throughout the past couple of months. Pacquiao is 42 now and a Senator in his homeland.
Pacquiao has won three straight fights and was the WBA Super Welterweight champion after winning a split decision in July of 2020 over then-champion Keith Thurman. Pacquiao still has some power, he was able to stop Lucas Mathysse to win the WBA Welterweight title (he later vacated it) by TKO in the seventh round.
It comes down to the start. Spence Jr. is facing a master of manipulation in Pacquiao. Pacquiao is also a warrior who will keep swinging for the fences when he needs to. For all the legendary accolades, the Filipino is not ducking anyone. Spence Jr. is arguably one of the best pound-for-pound fighters out there.
For Boxing Odds, our best bet is still taking Errol Spence Jr. for these reasons. Spence Jr. is making a legacy that Pacquiao already has.
Boxing Odds worth giving Manny Pacquiao a shot?
Before more COVID concerns, the odds for Pacquiao were quite a bit better than expected. If it was any other super-welterweight or welterweight, Spence Jr. would be a considerably bigger favorite. Vegas is giving Pacquiao a huge benefit of the doubt. Pacquiao has not fought in two years!
The world champion and legend definitely has his work cut out for him. Can the 2021 Pacquiao find a way to channel the prime Pacquiao? That is the hope for this fight. The expectation is however tilting again towards Spence Jr. in the Boxing Odds.
There is also a good chance that this 12-round championship fight does not go the distance. The feeling is that Spence Jr. is going to end this via TKO or KO.
Our Bet for Saturday’s Fight…
Take Spence Jr. to win the fight and unleash the truth!
See below the top sportsbooks, like Bovada, where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
Chris Wassel is someone who has covered a little bit of everything: business, writing, sports, food, grilling, the Olympics, injuries, politics, and more. He has climbed mountains like Mount Washington and Mount San Jacinto in Palm Springs, California, and for those who don’t know, he is also big into food challenges. With friends like Joey Chestnut and Casey Webb, Chris has tackled eating feats like finishing a 16-pound turkey or a 32-inch meat lover's pizza.
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