Report: Floyd Mayweather fight draws lukewarm interest from bettors
By Phil Watson
Floyd Mayweather is boxing’s biggest ticket, but Las Vegas didn’t exactly get fired up about his rematch Saturday night with Marcos Maidana.
Mayweather won by unanimous decision, improving to 47-0, and was a minus-600 favorite in the bout.
But according to ESPN.com, the amount wagered on the fight was down significantly at sports books all over Las Vegas.
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Nick Bogdanovich, director of trading at William Hill, said the betting action on Mayweather-Maidana II was “horrible.”
"“He’s a draw, but it’s not translating to the betting window,” said Jay Rood, vice president of race and sports books for MGM, of Mayweather."
Mayweather’s fights have attracted some of the biggest action in Las Vegas in the past, with six-figure wagers commonplace, mixed in with occasional bets of $1 million or more.
The big money is almost always on Mayweather and it was again for Saturday’s fight … just not as much of it.
"“We took a couple big bets on Floyd, but not as many as in the past,” said John Avello, executive director of the Wynn Race and Sports Book."
The majority of the bets were on Maidana, which is typical of fights with heavy underdogs. After all, recreational bettors aren’t going to put up $300 to win $50. Instead, they’d rather risk a little bit on the underdog with the promise of a big payday if an upset happens.
The sports books profited on Mayweather-Maidana II, just not as much as they have on past Mayweather action.
"“No big bets; no accumulation of small bets on the underdog. No interest,” Bogdanovich said. “Floyd’s not the most popular guy. His fights aren’t really exciting. People are tired of it.”"
Mayweather has said he plans to retire after two more bouts.
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