'Pac Man' vs. Floyd: you pick
It's too soon to declare Manny Pacquiao the best there is pound for pound in boxing.
Pacquiao pounded Ricky Hatton back into obscurity with a second-round knockout Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden. But Hatton has more guts than talent. He still might be flat on his back in the ring.
Before anointing Pacquiao the greatest who ever lived -- as Top Rank promoter Bob Arum wants to do -- let's see him take out unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Lucky's sports books posted a potential Mayweather-Pacquiao fight as a pick (minus-110 on both sides.) The line has not moved since it was put up Sunday.
Mayweather is back from retirement and is scheduled to fight Juan Manuel Marquez on July 18 at the MGM.
"I think if Floyd looks OK against Marquez, Floyd will be the favorite (against Pacquiao)," said Dave Cokin, a professional handicapper and local ESPN Radio talk show host. "It's a phenomenal betting fight."
Cokin said he fully expects Mayweather-Pacquiao to happen but sees no reason to bet it now. He said there's "a real good chance" the fight won't go until next spring or summer.
The rules at Lucky's stipulate the fight must be held by Feb. 29, 2010, or wagers will be refunded.
"It's fun to put the line out there, but it's flat-out dumb to bet it now," Cokin said.
Betting the fight now is risking being on the wrong side of the line move, Cokin said, and it's foolish to tie up money for that long.
"Pacquiao can't beat me," the never-humble Mayweather said.
The best bet in boxing was that Mayweather would not stay retired.
It's too soon to declare Manny Pacquiao the best there is pound for pound in boxing.
Pacquiao pounded Ricky Hatton back into obscurity with a second-round knockout Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden. But Hatton has more guts than talent. He still might be flat on his back in the ring.
Before anointing Pacquiao the greatest who ever lived -- as Top Rank promoter Bob Arum wants to do -- let's see him take out unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Lucky's sports books posted a potential Mayweather-Pacquiao fight as a pick (minus-110 on both sides.) The line has not moved since it was put up Sunday.
Mayweather is back from retirement and is scheduled to fight Juan Manuel Marquez on July 18 at the MGM.
"I think if Floyd looks OK against Marquez, Floyd will be the favorite (against Pacquiao)," said Dave Cokin, a professional handicapper and local ESPN Radio talk show host. "It's a phenomenal betting fight."
Cokin said he fully expects Mayweather-Pacquiao to happen but sees no reason to bet it now. He said there's "a real good chance" the fight won't go until next spring or summer.
The rules at Lucky's stipulate the fight must be held by Feb. 29, 2010, or wagers will be refunded.
"It's fun to put the line out there, but it's flat-out dumb to bet it now," Cokin said.
Betting the fight now is risking being on the wrong side of the line move, Cokin said, and it's foolish to tie up money for that long.
"Pacquiao can't beat me," the never-humble Mayweather said.
The best bet in boxing was that Mayweather would not stay retired.
