By Keith Idec

LAS VEGAS – Keith Thurman has taken money out of the bank to make several bets on himself later this week at MGM Grand’s sports book.

The unbeaten WBA welterweight champion will wait, however, until the odds on his fight against Manny Pacquiao favor him some more. Thurman was a slight favorite when their fight first was announced, but Pacquiao was the favorite Wednesday at MGM Grand (-155/+135).

The confident Thurman won’t just bet on himself to defeat the Filipino legend in their FOX Sports Pay-Per-View main event Saturday night. He said during a press conference Wednesday at MGM Grand that he will wager on himself to win by knockout in the first, second and seventh rounds.

The odds Wednesday on him winning by knockout in the first or second rounds were 60-1. A Thurman win by seventh-round knockout was posted at 40-1 on Wednesday.

Thurman intends to wait until Saturday to put in his bets.

“Well, to be honest, we were waiting because so many people are betting Pacquiao,” Thurman said following the press conference. “So, we’re waiting. We believe that the odds are gonna keep being not in my favor, which is gonna allow me to really maximize my bets. So, I went to the bank today. We got the money ready, but we haven’t gotten the ticket yet. Because, you know, they’re still gonna shift. It’s not Friday night. All the fans aren’t here at the MGM yet. And, you know, them Asians have been getting it in. I think I’ve offended a lot more other Filipinos than I did Manny Pacquiao.”

When asked after the press conference what he thinks about Thurman making those knockout wagers, Pacquiao smiled and said, “Thank you for the donation.”

The 30-year-old Thurman (29-0, 22 KOs, 1 NC) explained his rationale for placing such bets during a press conference that was televised live on FS1.

“Oh, you know, we’re going for the overall victory,” Thurman said. “And then we’re going for first-round knockout, second-round knockout and then, lucky-number-seven-round knockout. You know? At the end of the day, it’s a sport. I’m a winner in life. But to bet on myself for the opening rounds, it makes me do what I said earlier, which is swing, swing, swing, you know? I mean, you gotta swing to hit a home run. You can’t just sit there, and pump fake all day.

“So, I just wanna open up. I like to encourage myself. And, you know, in boxing, man, we really don’t have a knockout bonus, man. If ‘One Time’ Thurman gets a first-round knockout, somebody’s gotta pay me. So at least the MGM Grand can pay me, you know? It’s fun, it’s playful, but it’s a little bit a part of my strategy. I don’t recommend it for every fighter. Every fighter’s their own, but I like it.”

The 40-year-old Pacquiao (61-7-2, 39 KOs) won’t place any bets on himself before they square off at MGM Grand Garden Arena.

“No,” Pacquiao said, “I don’t bet [on] myself.”

Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.