It's not exactly Pacquiao versus Mayweather but as far as boxing betting fans are concerned, the heavyweight unification showdown broadcast by HBO between reigning IBF, WBO and IBO champion Wladimir "Dr. Steelhammer" Klitschko and WBA heavyweight champion David "The Hayemaker" Haye slated for Hamburg, Germany, July 2, may be the next best thing.
Klitschko (55-3, 49 knockouts) opened as a modest -175 favorite (bet $175 to win $100) to beat Haye (25-1, 23 KOs), the dangerous +150 underdog (bet $100 to win $150) in the scheduled 12-round fight. Neither Klitschko nor Haye has lost since 2004, the former winning 13 consecutive bouts while the latter has defeated 15 straight opponents.
The consensus over/under for the fight is 8 1/2 rounds with bettors who believe the bout will exceed the midway point of the ninth round asked to lay -125 while those who think the fight will end sooner than that compelled to lay -110. Many books are offering a variety of total packages, including just 5 1/2 rounds, where the "over" is -250 and the "under" is +175, and 10 1/2 rounds, where the "over" is a +150 underdog and the "under" is the -200 favorite. Gamblers also can wager if the fight does (+225) or does not (-300) go the full 12-round distance. What makes the total bet intriguing is not only that both fighters are big punchers but that Klitschko's three losses were by KO and Haye's one defeat also was via stoppage.
What's more, the fighters don't like each other. Haye mocked the Klitschko brothers (Vitali is the WBC champion), wearing a t-shirt that depicted their severed heads, and Wladimir responded with a video in which he said Haye "bitched out" of a previously arranged fight. In an era when boxers feign outrage to boost attendance and pay-per-view TV sales, this squabble is real.
After being knocked out by Lamont Brewster in 2004, Klitschko took on Manny Steward as his trainer. Steward transformed Klitschko into a jabber, teaching the Ukrainian how to use his 6-6 1/2 inch frame and 81-inch reach to keep opponents away from his vulnerable jaw. While the strategy has been effective, it hasn't made for exciting fights. Haye will pursue Klitschko, hoping to land one of his "Hayemaker" rights over Klitschko's jab. Haye's speed and aggression should force Klitschko to fight, making this an interesting match-up both from a boxing betting and non betting standpoint.
Speaking of betting, players will have more options than just choosing the winner or the over/under.
There's also a wager on how the fight will end. Gamblers get +130 that Klitschko wins via KO, TKO or disqualification; +350 that Klitschko earns a decision; +185 that Haye wins by KO, TKO or DQ; +700 that the judges decide the outcome in Haye's favor; and +3300 that the bout ends in a 12-round draw.
Sportsbooks also are offering a variety of rounds propositions. For example, you can take +250 that either boxer notches a win in round 9, 10, 11 or 12; or get more specific, accepting +500 that Klitschko gets the victory in rounds 9-12 or grabbing +650 that it's Haye who gets his hand raised somewhere inside the ninth and last round.
Boxing betting fans can get more or less specific, depending on their confidence level. For instance, those who prefer a bigger price can reduce the round grouping from four rounds to three: Either fighter in round 10, 11 or 12 is +350 while Klitschko in rounds 10-12 is +850 and Haye in rounds 10-12 is +1100.
Gamblers looking for a big payday can try to nail the exact outcome, betting which boxer will win in which round. Prices here range from a low of +1600 to a high of +3300.
On the other fist, less ambitious players can take +125 on either fighter ending the bout in rounds 1-6 or +400 that it's Klitschko, specifically, who wins in that time frame, or +275 that it's Haye. If you think the end will come during the second half of the fight, it's +150 that either boxer wins in 7-12, +333 that Klitschko scores the stoppage, and +450 that Haye gets the win in rounds 7-12.
Of course, should the fight go the distance, the house gets to keep all the money bet on these rounds propositions.
With a myriad of fascinating boxing betting opportunities, one can only hope that the fight is as interesting.
