Now, if you’re in the mood for some betting online - and really, why wouldn’t you be? - may I suggest a horse of a different colour? While that might sound like an introduction to Kentucky Derby odds (trust me, my mom is psyched for the Derby this weekend), instead, I’m talking about boxing. Specifically, the biggest boxing match of ‘09 thus far, the marquee poster of which can be seen right here:

Seriously, my dear readership, sports betting online was practically MADE for boxing. Don’t believe me? If you’ve ever placed a wager on a fight before, then you’ll know how much added excitement you get from watching two guys pummel each other into submission. You can really get behind a certain fighter if you’ve got money riding on him, and in this case, it’ll just ramp up the anticipation that much more. Come on now — we’ve got Manny Pacquiao, who’s pretty much second only to God in the Phillippines, taking on Ricky Hatton, England’s fan favorite and a strong boxer in his own right. All this going down on Saturday. Who wouldn’t be excited? Crazy people, that’s who.

Hatton odds on the match are giving the edge to Pacquiao instead. It seems that, no matter how popular “Hitman” Hatton is in his native England, most true boxing fans haven’t forgotten the beating Hatton took from Floyd Mayweather. And so it’s only natural that betting sharps would be placing their wagers on Pacquiao, who displayed a huge amount of speed and stamina in his takedown of Oscar De La Hoya late last year. Yet the Hitman’s fans aren’t willing to lose their faith just yet, and so the sportsbook may find a serious divide between not only their fighters, but their national countries and their respective denizens as well.

But if you want the bottom line, boxing lines say take Pacquiao at -250. Exempt if you’re British — you’re allowed to be patriotic. Either way, tune in on May 2nd for all the ring action!

Boxing is a funny sort of sporting event, whether or not you take into account its constant presence in offshore sportsbooks. Although it feels like it gets eclipsed by the larger-than-life personalities of its offspring - WWE and UFC, respectably - there’s still plenty of oldskool lovers of the old-fashioned ring out there and, as the saying appropriately goes, boxing isn’t going down without a fight.

Rocky agrees. (Though I’m more interested in his son, one Mr. Ventimiglia…rrrrrrr)

But wait! We have a Rocky-style star-studded matchup coming to us live this Saturday, and while it doesn’t feature Mr. T or any prototypical boxer character from a video game, it does have a ring champ taking on a national superstar. Ladies and gentlemen, the Pacquiao vs De La Hoya line.

C’mon now, everybody’s heard of Oscar De La Hoya. He’s one of the household names when it comes to the boxing world (and when I say household, I’m not just talking about George Foreman and his grilling contraptions). So while De La Hoya may already be a legend, it’s the up-and-comer, Manny Pacquiao, that’s holding more of my interest in this bout. Turns out Pacquiao is probably the most popular man in the Phillipines, complete with singing career and the ability to sway the presidential election. And now he’s moving up two weight classes just to take on De La Hoya. In a word, whoa. What’s that say for your boxing odds, hmmm?

Anyway, while there won’t be much man candy to ogle in this event (I dunno, that’s just my preference — but then again, I’m a puck bunny, so what does that say about my love for mullets?), there will be plenty of beatdowns to cheer on. Although it seems like Pacquiao has the disadvantage here weight class-wise - and the betting lines reflect that - he has “heavyweight power” and the distinct advantage of still being in his prime. It’s not quite another Lesnar vs Couture, but this is still a matchup of youth vs. experience, and it looks to me like Pacquiao might claim the throne. At least until Foreman gets tired of inventing grill machines.

Or, you know, until they let Laila Ali take `em all out. Go girl!