The Fight of the Century is on: Boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr. (49-0) will meet UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor (21-3 MMA) on Saturday, August 26, 2017 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fight card will air live on pay-per-view starting 10 p.m. ET. Bet on the latest boxing odds at BookMaker.eu now!
With the superfight between Floyd Mayweather and McGregor just a day away, it’s time to lock in your wagers. We’ve gone through a variety of prop bets all week, but today we’re focusing on each fighter’s money line to win.
With so much action on the fight, there’s been some dramatic line movements in the past few months. Let’s use the boxing odds at BookMaker.eu to examine what the movement means, and how you can take advantage when betting.
Bet on Boxing Odds at BookMaker.eu
Conor McGregor +450
Floyd Mayweather Jr. -650
Reading Between the Money Lines
The story here is just how much action has gone on McGregor. His opening line across the top-rated sportsbooks was an average of +1100, but that’s dropped down to the +450 you’re seeing today. Vegas sportsbooks are reporting a huge number of small and large bets on the Irishman, cutting his payout by more than half.
In contrast, Mayweather’s money line has gone up from -3000 to -650 - it’s rare we ever see jumps that big. While he’s still expensive, right now Mayweather’s at a price that’s far more accessible to the average bettor.
Fight Breakdown
In a vacuum, there are a few plausible reasons to believe that McGregor could beat Mayweather. The biggest right now seems to be the age. McGregor is 29 and Mayweather is 40 - one guy is at his peak while the other is past his prime. While Mayweather is a special athlete to begin with, not even he can withstand the effects of Father Time.
The age difference plays a role in the physical advantage McGregor appears to have. He enters the fight the bigger man, with a killer left cross that’s dropped a number of MMA stars. There are a lot less miles on his body too, as he’s been fighting professionally for about half the time Mayweather has.
There’s also the fact that McGregor is a southpaw, and many feel that Mayweather’s vulnerable to clever lefties. But considering that “Money” is 49-0 and has cruised passed numerous southpaws, I wouldn’t put too much stock into this.
A lot of fans also seem to feel like McGregor’s MMA background will confuse Mayweather - that the Irishman will come with stuff that catches Floyd off-guard. It’s an easy assumption to make - McGregor is certainly unorthodox inside the octagon as well.
But let’s not kid ourselves here. Mayweather opened at -3000 for a reason - he is arguably the best defensive boxer we’ve ever seen. McGregor’s style might throw him off guard, but do you really think that Mayweather won’t figure it out? He’s figured out dozens of different styles, ranging from the brawling of Ricky Hatton to the offensive assault of Manny Pacquiao.
Opponents and sparring partners, some of the best in the world, all marvel in consensus at his ability to make guys miss. Frankly, it’s kind of naive to think that somebody with zero pro boxing experience can outbox one of the best of all-time.
How You Should Bet
McGregor has a puncher’s chance, and even that is being generous. I’d be surprised if he landed more than 20 clean shots on Mayweather - a fighter who has only been knocked down once in a career spanning more than two decades. The good news for bettors is that McGregor bettors have driven his line down to a price that’s not totally out of range.
Boxing odds pick: Mayweather to win at -650
Bet on boxing odds at BookMaker.eu now
With the boxing odds at BookMaker Sportsbook, you can bet on boxing all year, from smaller cards to pay-per-view events. Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook. Mayweather vs. McGregor takes place on Saturday, August 26, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fight will air live on pay-per-view.
