Sal DeFilippo: Books expecting a ton of money on De La Hoya

Sal DeFilippo

Monday, April 7, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

It isn't a popularity race, but it likely will seem that way at some sports book betting windows this week.

Expect to hear the name Oscar De La Hoya when most bettors wager on Saturday's bout with Pernell Whitaker at the Thomas and Mack Center. Whitaker's WBC welterweight title is at stake, but De La Hoya has opened at more than 3 to 1 in most books.

"I would assume the bettors will be all over De La Hoya," said Norm Kelley, sports book supervisor at Sam's Town. "We've had action on both sides to this point, but De La Hoya gets all the press, he's the pretty boy, and you can't help but like him. He's great for the sport and he's a tough-looking fighter with an awesome left jab."

Kelley says if De La Hoya, who opened at --360 at Sam's Town, uses his jab and doesn't go toe-to-toe with Whitaker, he'll retain his title.

"I was at Oscar's last fight at the Thomas and Mack -- of course, he wasn't fighting someone as tough as Whitaker. But if he keeps his jab in Whitaker's face, and fights smart, he'll win," Kelley said.

At the Gold Coast, De La Hoya is --350 and Whitaker is +275. Supervisor Eddie Ricca said money has favored Whitaker.

"At a local's place like ours, sometimes bettors tend to play the underdog in boxing," Ricca said. "I think this should be a great fight. De La Hoya is catching Whitaker at the right time.

"Many times in our case, bettors don't like to lay the big prices (on the favorites) and as far as the house goes, we end up needing the favorite a lot of times. Players are looking for a bigger return."

That also can be said of the WBA heavyweight championship rematch between Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson, set May 3 at the MGM Grand Garden. Tyson remains a --270 favorite (Holyfield would return +220) at the Gold Coast, the same numbers as the opening line.

"We haven't had anything significant yet, but the early money is favoring Holyfield," Ricca said of the champion, who returned as much as 25 to 1 when he upset Tyson in July, a bout that cost Nevada sports books millions.

"I think Tyson will be more focused and should win, and I'm guessing it will be up to Holyfield to see if they fight a third time."

Boxing fans who can't wait for Saturday can catch action Wednesday night at the Aladdin.

The featured bout pits Donald Curry against Emmett Linton, fighting for the vacant IBA junior middleweight crown. Curry opened as --130 favorite when the book posted the line Sunday.

"We get a lot of the action when people actually come the night of the fight," said Aladdin sports book supervisor Mark Lewis. "That's when the money starts flowing in."

Lewis said midweek fights run periodically at the Aladdin, which usually posts a line on the evening's main event.

"We have the fights about once a month, but sometimes even more frequently," he said. "It depends on when the different organizations bring them in."