Oddsmakers still favor Mayweather in potential rematch vs. Pacquiao
Could the "Fight of the Century" finally get its encore?
Oddsmakers at the Westgate LV SuperBook have re-installed odds on a potential rematch between Manny Pacquiao and the undefeated Floyd Mayweather, though the SuperBook hasn't taken any new bets on the projected fight.
Mayweather, 42, was posted as the 5-9 (-180) favorite July 23 - three days after Pacquiao beat then-undefeated Keith Thurman by split decision for the WBA welterweight title.
It was Pacquiao's third straight win, giving him a 5-1 record since losing to Mayweather in their famed bout on May 2, 2015. Pacquiao, 40, contends he fought Mayweather with an injured shoulder, which has stoked interest in a fully healthy rematch.
These aren't the first odds to be released on the much-anticipated fight. The SuperBook installed Mayweather as the 5-11 (-220) favorite in September, so this new line suggests Pacquiao is gaining ground in oddsmakers' minds. But the SuperBook will pay out only if the bout occurs before 2021 - which isn't a sure bet given the current four-year wait.
The two fighters have danced around a potential encore for years, most recently when they traded barbs on social media in the days after Pacquiao's win over Thurman - a fight at which Mayweather sat ringside.
Mayweather posted a brief video of him training in his personal gym Tuesday. His last official fight was a 10th-round TKO of Conor McGregor in May 2017 to secure a 50-0 record.
Long layoffs are nothing new for Mayweather, who has cited "self-preservation" as a driving factor for his extended breaks between bouts. Pacquiao, meanwhile, has looked sharp in 2019, and his aggressive win over Thurman was among the most impressive of his career.
Former Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum said earlier this week that if "Pac-Man" doesn't retire, he could take down Mayweather in a rematch. Pacquiao's only loss since facing Mayweather came in a controversial unanimous decision vs. Jeff Horn.
Even the loss to Mayweather drew criticism from those who felt the Filipino fighter, an 8-5 underdog, did enough to challenge the 2-1 favorite. But Mayweather danced around the ring and showed enough technical prowess to impress all three judges in a unanimous decision.
Pacquiao promoter Sean Gibbons told Abac Cordero of The Philippine Star in July that the boxer could return to the ring in February or March with an eye on Danny Garcia or Mikey Garcia.
Though Thurman and Horn have both showed interest in another fight, Gibbons suggested this week Pacquiao has no desire for a rematch - unless, of course, it's "the" rematch.
"We want Mayweather," he said.