Columnist Jeff Haney: Trinidad-Vargas: ‘A great fight to book’

Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2000 | 9:44 a.m.

Jeff Haney's sports betting column appears Wednesday. Reach him at 259-4041 or haney@lasvegassun.com

Fernando Vargas finds himself in an unusual situation heading into Saturday's junior middleweight world title fight against Felix Trinidad.

For the first time in his 21-fight career, Vargas will step into the ring as an underdog.

At host property Mandalay Bay, Vargas is listed at plus 150 while Trinidad is a minus 170 favorite. Both are undefeated.

Vargas did open as a small underdog in his fight against Yory Boy Campas, champion at the time, on Dec. 12, 1998. But a flood of late money pushed Vargas to a favorite of better than minus 200.

It was as if someone released word in the hours leading up to the bout that it would officially be the night of Vargas' coronation. Vargas, who had just turned 21, did not disappoint, stopping the veteran Campas in seven rounds.

In his most recent "megafight," against Ike Quartey in April, Vargas was a solid favorite of about minus 250.

While it's not apparent how his underdog status will affect Vargas' psyche, it certainly won't stop his fans from backing him at the betting windows.

Mandalay Bay sports book director Nick Bogdanovich expects to write plenty of tickets on both men in what's being billed as the "fight of the year" even before the first bell.

"It's a great fight to book, no doubt about it," Bogdanovich said. "This is definitely a fight where we're going to see a lot of two-way action."

Bogdanovich said most of the big betting bucks won't come in until Friday and Saturday, which is de rigueur in the fight game.

Given the dynamic atmosphere and well-heeled crowd that major fights generate in Las Vegas, Bogdanovich said he would not be too surprised to see some bets in the six-figure range.

"I hope so," he said. "A fight like this is like a Super Bowl, where your limits are expanded."

In early action, the public is betting the fight will go the full 12-round distance, Bogdanovich said. The round prop at Mandalay Bay is minus 120 on the will go 12 and minus 110 on the won't go, after opening at even money on the will and minus 140 on the won't.

"That surprises me a little bit, since both guys pack a lot of punch," Bogdanovich said. "Twelve rounds seems like a lot to go through without that one big hit coming."

A little footwork, however, can whittle the vig down to exactly zero: Circus Circus has Trinidad at minus 160, and bettors can get plus 160 on Vargas at the Stardust or Imperial Palace.

MGM-MIRAGE properties have the most competitive straddle on the round prop, a 20-cent line at minus 110 each way.

The "will go 12" can still be found at even money at several books, including Coast properties, Jerry's Nugget and the Fiesta.

Bettors are being offered a freeroll on Friday's middleweight title bout between Bernard Hopkins and Antwun Echols.

Simply lay 330 on the favored Hopkins at Caesars, take back plus 350 on Echols at Harrah's or the Venetian, and you have a rare no-lose situation.

Don't spend it all in one place.

(All numbers were compiled Tuesday and can, of course, change by the minute.)

Seligman noted that the Washington Post, whose editorial board favors the betting ban, prints point spreads only on professional games. "Oh? So it's OK to throw them?" he cracked.

And although figureheads such as Lou Holtz and Dean Smith have spoken publicly in favor of the proposed ban, Seligman said not all college officials are on the same page. He suggested gamblers drive up television ratings for college sports, which in turn benefits the schools financially.

"Some college financial officers ... understand that they have a tacit alliance with bettors," Seligman wrote in the Journal.

The top 20 finishers are paid, with a first prize this year of about $115,000. Historically, a record of 60 percent or better has been good enough to finish in the money.

"This is finishing like a thoroughbred stakes race with a crowd spinning out of the turn and heading for the wire," Hensgen said of the hotly contested event.

This week Hensgen will take a look at the Bengals and the Raiders minus the points.

Follow Hensgen's progress on the board at the Hilton under "The Game" and online at www.thegame-nfl.com.

In the Stardust Invitational, Ken White went 4-3 to edge fellow Las Vegan Jimmy Vaccaro (4-3). At 9 p.m. Friday, Dave Cokin squares off against Brent Crow. ...

The Don Best handicapping tournament, which carries a $15,000 prize, had an off-week due to Thanksgiving. This week, Vaccaro faces Bubba Youngblood of Las Vegas. Already in the semifinals are White, Greg Roberts of Alabama, and New Yorker Richard Witt. The contest airs on radio stations nationwide and can be heard locally at 4 p.m. Thursday on KRLV 1340-AM. Las Vegan Alex Shelton hosts.