WBC Featherweight betting - Marquez vs. Pacquiao

[Qbins Missile Crisis]

BOXING: Champ enters unfamiliar territory - Bet on it at Sportsbook.com

Juan Manuel Marquez may be the WBC super featherweight champion but heading into Saturday’s fight with Manny Pacquiao, he finds himself in an unusual position.

Marquez, 48-3-1 in his professional career, is the underdog this weekend as he defends his title against the younger Pacquiao.

Catch these always-exciting fighters on HBO PPV with the undercard getting underway at 9 pm ET. Along with picking the winner for this bout, make sure you check our odds page as you can wager on the Final Result and the round in which the fight will end.

Perhaps it should come as no surprise that the 34-year-old Marquez is the underdog at +170 odds. The Mexican superstar is giving five years to his younger opponent from the Philippines and Pacquiao is widely-regarded as the best fighter in the world at 130 pounds.

It was Pacquiao who dropped Marquez to the canvas three times in the first round when they met in Las Vegas back in 2004. To his credit, Marquez got up each time and many say he actually won the fight.

That bout was officially declared a draw, making it even more surprising that it’s taken four years to schedule a much-anticipated rematch. Marquez says the reason for the delay is simple, Pacquiao has been avoiding him.

"There isn't another fight I have wanted as much as this one," said Marquez. "I won our first fight. He won the first round and I won the next 11. He's avoided me for four years, saying he is the "Mexican Executioner" but he isn't because he hasn't beaten me and he won't beat me. I'm going to finish the job I started in 2004 and show everyone why I am a champion today."

Since that first fight, Marquez has fought seven times winning all but a Unanimous Decision to Chris John. The aging fighter is in the 15th year of his career and is said to be slowing down and showing signs of wear and tear.

Marquez, a technical fighter for most of his career is more willing to mix it up in recent fights but, against a puncher like Pacquiao, he’ll need to use his skills as a ring general to outlast the speed and power of the Philippine fighter.

Pacquiao, 45-3-2 in his pro career, is listed at -210 odds for Saturday’s fight as he looks to continue his domination of Mexican fighters. ‘Pac Man’ has been on a Mexican assault, fighting the best boxers from that country and coming out on top.

Since losing to Erik Morales in March, 2005, Pacquiao has defeated Morales twice, beaten Hector Velazquez, Oscar Larios and Jorge Solis in low-profile bouts, and more recently earned a decision over Marco Antonio Barrera last October.

Will Pacquiao continue to live up to his “Mexican Executioner” name?

Place your bets now and make sure you tune in to watch what is sure to be an action-packed fight.