By Ben Blaschke
Victory for Conor McGregor in his upcoming superfight with Floyd Mayweather would be “the worst individual result in the last 20 years in Australian bookmaking,” according to Ladbrokes Australia CEO Jason Scott.
Speaking to Inside Asian Gaming at this week’s Gaming, Racing & Wagering Australia conference in Sydney, Scott said the upcoming fight, to be held in Las Vegas on 26 August, had attracted as much betting activity across Australia as State of Origin, the Melbourne Cup and the AFL grand final with money running 10 to one in McGregor’s direction.
“At the current odds that leaves a huge liability if Conor wins,” he told IAG. Mayweather is a $1.24 favorite to win ($1.72 to win by stoppage and $3.60 to win on points) with McGregor paying $4.25 for the win ($5.25 for the stoppage or $26 to win on points).
“Punters like the outsiders in fights,” Scott added. “McGregor is popular with a huge following and is big odds. Mayweather is unlikable.
“Punters have just had a good result on the Jeff Horn/Manny Pacquiao fight and the prices in this fight are similar.”
Scott likened a McGregor win to Leicester City’s stunning Premier League title victory in the 2015/16 season at 5,000/1 which was “catastrophic for our UK colleagues.”
