"Relentless," a boxing betting tripleheader on SHOWTIME pay-per-view that features an overwhelming favorite, a modest wagering choice and a pick 'em fight, should have something for every gambler when the fists fly at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, March 12.
The headline of the fight card, which marks the first collaboration by Boxing Hall of Fame promoters Don King and Bob Arum in five years, is the WBA super welterweight title defense by Miguel Cotto against Ricardo Mayorga. Cotto (35-2, 28 KOs), opened as a flattering -1200 favorite (bet $1,200 to win $100) while "El Matador" is offered at +600 (bet $100 to win $600. Cotto, 30, who has held a world title in every year since 2004, took the WBA 154-pound title from previously unbeaten Yuri Foreman in June. Mayorga (29-7-1, 23 KOs) is coming off a ninth round TKO of Michael Walker in December but at age 37, probably is on the decline.
The total for the scheduled 12-round fight is 9 1/2 rounds with "under" listed as the -200 favorite. Bettors who believe the bout will last beyond the midway point of the 10th round take +160.
There also is a proposition on how the fight will end:
Cotto by KO, TKO or DQ- 225
Cotto by decision+ 250
Mayorga by KO, TKO or DQ+ 900
Mayorga by decision+1800
Draw+3300
Some sportsbooks also are offering a "knocked down" prop on whether one boxer (-275), neither fighter (+225) or both pugilists (+1600) hit the canvas.
The Cotto-Mayorga bout is supported by the return of the aforementioned Yuri Foreman taking on top 10 contender Pawel Wolak in a 10-round super welterweight rumble. Foreman (28-1, 8 KOs), who is studying to become a rabbi, opened as the narrow -200 favorite over Wolak (28-1, 18 KOs), the +160 underdog. This will be Foreman's first fight since reconstructive knee surgery following his loss to Cotto. Wolak, meanwhile, has won seven in a row, including, most recently, a seventh round knockout of Jose Pinzon in December.
The over/under on the Foreman-Wolak fight is 9 1/2 rounds with "over" listed as a strong -330 favorite. "Under" bettors take back +250.
There's also a prop on which of five possible conclusions will occur:
Foreman by decision- 125
Wolak by decision+ 250
Wolak by KO, TKO or DQ+ 550
Foreman by KO, TKO or DQ+ 600
Draw+2500
The third leg of the boxing betting tripleheader is an IBF lightweight title defense by champion Miguel Vazquez against mandatory challenger Lenny Zappavigna. The fight is rated dead-even with each boxer offered at -110. Vazquez (27-3-2, 12 KOs), has won six straight bouts, his most recent triumph being a defense of his 135-pound title with a unanimous 12-round decision over Ricardo Dominguez in November. Zappavigna (25-0, 17 KOs), who hails from Australia, earned his title shot with a first round stoppage of Ji Hoon Kim last October.
Like the previous two bouts, the total on the Vazquez/Zappavigna fight is 9 1/2 rounds with "over" listed as the -180 favorite and "under" offered at +140.
There's value in determining how the fight will end:
Vazquez by decision+ 175
Zappavigna by KO, TKO or DQ+ 200
Zappavigna by decision+ 333
Vazquez by KO, TKO or DQ+ 400
Draw+2500
The truly clairvoyant also can attempt to choose the exact round of victory in any of the three bouts. With 34 possible rounds, there are 68 possible results, ranging in price from +900 to +10000, but if you can see into the future you already knew that.
Less foolhardy but with less of a return is group round betting wherein the bettor gets a group of rounds at a particular price. In the 12-round fights, bettors can choose groups of four (1-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12), three (1-4, 5-8, 9-12) or two (1-6, 7-12) rounds. The 10-round fight is broken in half (1-5, 6-10). Pick your poison.
Of course, if any or all the fights go the distance, all individual and group round bets belong to the house.
The "Relentless" fight card also features Christy Martin going for her 50th career victory against Dakota Stone in a ladies bout. If there's any doubt that Martin (49-5-3, 31 KOs) will reach her milestone against the light-hitting Stone (9-8-5, 1 KO) you need only know that sportsbooks haven't put up a price on this bout.
It looks like boxing betting fans will have to be content with a tripleheader of wagering action.
