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Mayweather Favored to Win by Decision in Rematch Against Pacquiao

Ryan Bolta

by Ryan Bolta in Boxing

Updated Apr 8, 2020 · 7:18 AM PDT

Floyd Mayweather
Floyd Mayweather stands to make a fortune in his rematch with Manny Pacquiao. Photo by SO MAX O (flickr) CC License.
  • Floyd Mayweather is heavily favoured to defeat Manny Pacquiao by decision in their heavily hyped rematch
  • Can Pacquiao stun the world and hand Money his first loss?
  • Will the rematch be more entertaining than the pair’s forgettable first fight? 

Floyd Mayweather always seems to be retired until he isn’t retired anymore.  Most recently, he emerged from hibernation to knock out Tenshin Nasukawa in an unofficial bout in Japan.  He made $9-million knocking out the kick boxer in the 1st round.

Now rumors have the undefeated self-proclaimed “best ever” facing off with Manny Pacquiao for a second time.  The first bout between the two was overdue for sure, but was still the most watched pay per view boxing match in the history of the sport.  It wasn’t the most entertaining fight, but take two would be both heavily watched and heavily bet on.

Odds have been released on the potential bout and they list Mayweather as most likely to win by decision (-135), while Pacquiao by decision (+400) or by KO, TKO or DQ (+475) both pay handsomely.

Mayweather vs Pacquiao 2 Final Result Odds

What Will Be the Final Result of Mayweather vs Pacquiao 2? Odds
Floyd Mayweather by KO, TKO or DQ +450
Floyd Mayweather by Decision -135
Manny Pacquiao by KO, TKO or DQ +475
Manny Pacquiao by decision +400
Draw +900

The reason Pacquiao’s odds are so high? Because it’s really unlikely he’s the first to put a crooked number in Mayweather’s loss column.  There’s a common belief amongst boxing purists, if the bigger boxer is also the better defensive boxer he is overwhelmingly likely to win the fight. Mayweather is bigger than Pacquiao and not only is he the better defensive boxer, he’s the best defensive boxer of his generation.

The first fight was as convincing as it was boring. It may have lacked the excitement many hoped for, but it really was a dominant performance from Mayweather.  He landed almost twice as many punches, almost three times as many jabs and his power punch connect rate was 48%. You could head to your local gym and take shots at a punching bag and not land at 48%.  Did he take full advantage? Absolutely not. But it really was a fight where he had what he wanted when he wanted.

So now, you must ask yourself what’s changed.  Mayweather is older of course, turning 42 in February.  But Manny Pacquiao is also 40 now and his track record of intense bouts full of knockdowns and knockouts have led to more wear and tear (see Pacquiao-Marquez 4).

One more reason to believe Mayweather by decision is the right play, it’s always the right play when he fights.  Throw out the two recent fights against non-boxers (Nasukawa and UFC fighter Connor Mcgregor) and it’s a track record that dates back to 2011. Mayweather’s last KO against a legitimate boxer was the Victor Ortiz bout and even that was filled with controversy.

It’s overwhelmingly likely the next fight follows the same script as the Mayweather-Pacquaio 1.  Don’t let the trash talk or bravado scare you away from what’s honestly a modest price tag for something so likely.

Pick: Floyd Mayweather by decision (-135)

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