MANNY PACQUIAO VS RICKY HATTON BETTING TIPS

Manny Pacquiao's odds continue to shorten as his much-anticipated bout with Ricky Hatton gets closer by the day. As it currently stands, Pacquiao is available on betfair for an outright victory with a price of 1.51. Ricky Hatton has gained nearly half a point since the last article with his odds currently sitting at 3.1- an enticing price. The unlikely draw pays out at 34.0.As usual, the best odds are in the round-by-round betting and while Betfair hasn't posted the specific odds yet, there is a general consensus starting to materialize about when each specific boxer will strike his match-winning KO or TKO. Manny Pacquiao is listed at 2.92 for the KO, TKO or DQ victory with a Pacquiao decision less likely at 3.4. His best rounds are likely going to be between 7 and 10 according to most bookmakers with odds available on those rounds in the neighbourhood of 20/1. Ricky Hatton is listed at 4.2 to secure a KO, TKO or DQ victory with a decision also looking rather unlikely as he'll be paid out at 6.4 if he goes the distance and gets the decision in his favour. I've seen this price increase significantly over the past few weeks and should the fight go the distance (and I think there's a decent chance that it will), those are solid odds. Pacquiao will likely win the fight if it's a KO victory, but I think the decision favours Hatton. There is definitely some weakness there at 6.4. You'll see that price drop significantly in-running on the night of the fight if Hatton has two solid early rounds. Conveniently, I expect Hatton to have two solid early rounds. Manny Pacquiao demolished Oscar De La Hoya (a match I had called to the round), but I'm confident that the victory was so over the top that Pacquiao was flattered by the method of victory. Hatton would have walked all over De La Hoya that night as well and likely would have knocked him out earlier. My prediction for the fight is this: Hatton to come out with a very strong 1st and 2nd round, Pacquiao will win the 3rd as he moves inside a bit more. Hatton will be anticipating this and will switch gears in the 4th. He'll be moving around the ring a lot more and making Pacquiao chase him. Manny has solid hand-speed, but Hatton hits the body better. Pacquiao will be knocked down in the 6th, but will be right back up. Manny will win the 7th and 8th round, but the ninth round is the money round in this bout. I can see either Pacquiao losing via TKO in the 9th. The 10-12th rounds will be very tight if we get there and I think if we do see the fight go past 10 rounds, Hatton will be on course for a points win.