By Mark Vester

The Las Vegas Sun spoke with several boxing and betting insiders who believe that a potential Dec. 6 bout between Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao would open with De La Hoya being a bit less than a 2-1 favorite, much closer than many would have predicted. Pacquiao, the WBC lightweight champion, would have to rise by two weight-divisions to face De La Hoya at the agreed upon weight of 147-pounds. De La Hoya has fought as high as 160-pounds, while Pacquiao moved up from super featherweight a few months ago.

It is believed that De La Hoya would probably be listed on the betting board at about minus 185 (risk $1.85 to win $1), with Pacquiao coming in about plus 165 (risk $1 to net $1.65).

The paper listed some of the other odds going around Vegas and "based on the odds" - De La Hoya-Pacquiao would open "on paper" as the most competitive bout of the bunch. Shocking since most view the fight as a physical mismatch.

Juan Manuel Marquez is a 3-1 favorite against Joel Casamayor on Sept. 13. Ricky Hatton is a 5-2 favorite against IBF junior welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi, taking place on November 22. Former three-division champion Shane Mosley is nearly an 8-1 favorite against Ricardo Mayorga on Sept. 27. WBC/WBO middleweight champ Kelly Pavlik is about a 4-1 favorite against Bernard Hopkins on Oct. 18. In a battle of former Olympic teammates, Jermain Taylor is a 5-1 favorite against Jeff Lacy on Nov. 15. 

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