The latest 2009 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest betting odds have been released by SBG Global, one of a handful of online gambling websites offering odds on this 4th of July event.
Most of the focus among oddsmakers to this point has been exclusively on Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi.
"It's like a boxing match in that sense," says Dan Shapiro of Gambling911.com. "Chestnut and Kobayashi are the main event even though there are other participants. They are all the undercards though."
SBG was only offering 2009 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest betting odds on these two men just days before the big showdown, which Gambling911.com has deemed a "significant event".
"They actually call it the ‘Super Bowl of Competitive Eating'," says Shapiro.
The only practice matchup leading to this event took place earlier this month when Chestnut and Kobayashi went up against each other in another eating contest, this time to determine who could devour the most number of pizzas. Kobayashi beat out Chestnut.
"I'm a little bummed," Chestnut said after the Pizza Hut sponsored event. "There's nobody I like beating more than him, he pushes me harder than anybody."
Kobayashi won six straight Nathan's titles before being dethroned by Chestnut two years ago, 66-63.
"I wanted to prove that I'm champion," Kobayashi said. "A champion will stand up to any battle."
He said he would go for another Fourth of July hot dog championship and then probably retire. Chestnut will be ready and waiting on Coney Island.
SBG Global is also offering betting odds on the total number of hot dogs that will be eaten by both men during the 2009 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. The OVER 64 ½ would pay out nearly 2/1 odds.
Jordan Bach, Gambling911.com
