Vegas fight odds put Manny at minus 800

HOLLYWOOD – The fight odds suggest that the only way Manny Pacquiao would lose to Joshua Clottey on March 13 is if he climbs the ring blind-folded.

As the Filipino superstar prepared to leave for Texas, the fight odds flying out of Las Vegas placed Pacquiao at minus 800 and Clottey, the pride of Ghana, at plus 550.

It means that Pacquiao fans need to bet $800 just to win a hundred bucks. If you’re for Clottey, you put $100 and if he wins you get $550 in return.

The odds for a Pacquiao fight have never been as lopsided as this one, not when he fought Jorge Solis or Marco Antonio Barrera the second time, Ricky Hatton or Miguel Cotto.

The last time Pacquiao came in as an underdog was against Oscar dela Hoya. He won that fight, and the way things are, he’d probably remain favorite until the day he retires.

Dr. Allan Recto, now a certified ring physician and one of Pacquiao’s close friends, called in from Vegas Sunday evening to say how the odds have skyrocketed in favor of Pacquiao.

Trainer Freddie Roach said the fight should be over inside nine rounds but he’d be “happier” if it ends in the first. The odds on the fight not lasting the distance is plus 140; going the distance at minus 180.

Pacquiao winning by decision is at plus 130 and him pulling off a stoppage is at minus-150. If Clottey wins on points, every $100 bet pays $600, and if via a knockout your $100 gives you $400.

Pacquiao skipped his morning run Sunday, the only day he stays out of the gym, and heard Mass with some team members and friends. By noontime he was at his $4,800-a-month La Palazzo aparment where he stayed the whole day.

Pacquiao will spar four more rounds Monday and will be at the gym earlier than usual, at 10 a.m., because at 3 p.m. he and his entourage of more than a hundred people should board the chartered plane to Arlington, which is three hours away.