Posted on 12/7/2007 5:55:14 PM

Boxing Betting – Mayweather vs. Hatton Props

By Charles Jay

You can't really bet boxing propositions based on statistical data alone. There has to be a little instinct involved too. So maybe a long-time boxing observer and industry veteran can try to combine a little of both, in tackling some of the boxing proposition wagers available through BetUS Sportsbook for the Floyd Mayweather-Ricky Hatton fight set for Saturday, December 8.

BetUS Boxing Betting Odds

WBC Welterweight (147-lb.) title

December 8 -- Las Vegas

FLOYD MAYWEATHER -240

RICKY HATTON +190

Over 11.5 Rounds -300

Under 11.5 Rounds +200

Some of them have a bit of a wide spread. For example, will the fight go over 3.5 rounds?

OVER 3.5 ROUNDS -6500

UNDER 3.5 ROUNDS +1400

Okay, we're not going to go to the bank on this one. But I can tell you that the last time a fight with Floyd Mayweather went under 3.5 rounds was in December of 1998, when he stopped Angel Manfredy in two rounds. And he's had 19 fights and three jumps in weight since. Mayweather has stopped only one opponent in the first four rounds in a title fight. As for Hatton, the last fight he had that went under that figure was in December of 2002, when he stopped Joe Hutchinson early in the fourth. Since it would be kind of foolish for either guy to throw too much caution to the winds early in this fight, I think it's safe to say that unless an accident happens, we are looking at a fight longer than 3.5 rounds.

But - what about 6.5 rounds?

OVER 6.5 ROUNDS -900

UNDER 6.5 ROUNDS +450

In Mayweather's last 16 fights, two of them went just six rounds. And in another, he stopped Phillip N'Dou in 1:08 of the 7th before a hometown crowd in Grand Rapids. Nine of Hatton's 14 KO's in title fights have been accomplished within the first six rounds. But can he take Mayweather out during this period? Don't think so. My own particular opinion is that Mayweather is more than willing to extract an advantage in boxing ability, and so he won't be in any hurry to knock Hatton out. And since Hatton should not be confused with the more limited Arturo Gatti, don't expect him to fold up when hit. This is an "over."

In fact, if you're looking for "trends," like you would in a football game, consider that Mayweather's last three fights, and six of his last eight title fights, have gone the distance, and that, at 147 pounds, Hatton has had just one fight, and that one (against the light-punching, slick Luis Collazo) went the 12-round route as well.

Looking for controversy?

MAYWEATHER TO WIN ON POINTS BY SPLIT DECISION +700

HATTON TO WIN ON POINTS BY SPLIT DECISION +1500

These are "one-way" props, which mean you can't bet that it WON'T occur. I don't know what to tell you on these, except that if you like Hatton, these are probably both worth a small play. here are some stats for you, though: Mayweather has won 14 decisions in his career, and only the last one, against the naturally bigger Oscar De La Hoya, has been by split nod. And I'm not so sure that wasn't charitable toward Oscar. As for Hatton, none of his 12 decision wins have been split. And several of those were with only the referee rendering a scorecard (dome in the U.K.).

And by the way - there is a "3-way line" available at BetUS as well. If you bet the two-way "to win" prop where Mayweather is -240 and Hatton is +190, the draw is a stalemate, where you will get your money back. However, you can also bet the fight on the basis of a three-way.

MAYWEATHER -220

HATTON +170

DRAW +1600

If you like Mayweather in this fight, it makes sense to bet the three-way, since you get a better price (-220) than otherwise (-240). Conversely, you do not get a better price with Hatton (+170) than in the two-way (+190). But, if you bet Mayweather or Hatton and the fight ends up in a draw, only the draw bettors get paid and everyone else loses. Got it?

Betting on boxing has never been so easy and you can get your bets in now in the BetUS sportsbook. Go to Other Sports: Boxing. Find tons of props on the fight and the fighters in the Future / props section as well!

(Charles Jay of TotalActionExtra.com is a former manager, matchmaker and color commentator in professional boxing. He currently pulls no punches in the BetUS Locker Room)