Boxing – the sport of gentlemen – is one of the highest-profile and most famous sports in the world. The greatest stars, such as Mike Tyson, Muhammad Ali, Floyd Mayweather, and Manny Pacquiao, have left their mark on the history books forever, going on to become not only sporting legends but also cultural icons. These days, fans can wager using trustworthy online boxing bookmakers offering competitive odds and a wide range of markets.
Boxing has always been closely linked with sports betting, and little has changed in that regard today. If you’re a fan of the sport and want to place bets on boxing, you’ve come to the right place.
How to Bet on Boxing – Types of Bets
In boxing, as in most sports, the main question is who will win and who will lose. But that doesn’t mean we’re limited to just the basic market. Let’s take a closer look at the most popular options.
Triple Outcome Bet (1X2)
This is the standard type, where you place a wager on who is most likely to win the fight. In this case, remember that it is a three-way bet, so along with the two boxers, a draw is also a possibility. Bookmakers provide high odds on a draw (from 8.0 to 12.0).
Boxing draws are rare, but they can happen at any level – even in a big-name WBC heavyweight title fight such as the one between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder.
Double Outcome Bet (12)
For this bet, a draw is eliminated – you can place a bet on either of the two boxers to win. The bookie returns your stake if it's a draw.
Total Rounds (Over/Under)
You can bet on how many rounds the fight will last. The upper-level fights are usually scheduled for 10 or 12 rounds, while lesser bouts may be shorter. Your task is to correctly predict whether the bout will last more or fewer rounds than scheduled.
Method of Victory
This is a variation of the 1X2 bet but harder to forecast because, along with the winner, you must specify how the fight will be concluded:
- Early stoppage
- Knockout
- Technical knockout
- Disqualification
- Decision on points
These bets tend to have good odds, especially if there is no favorite.
Time of Fight Ending
This is for advanced bettors. You hazard a guess as to when precisely the fight is likely to conclude. There are two formats:
- Predict the round in which the fight will conclude precisely.
- Choose a range of rounds – for instance, 1–3, 4–6, 7–9, or 10–12.
The second option is usually easier to predict but carries lower odds.
Fight Ending Early or on Points
Another popular market is whether the bout will end prematurely or go the distance with the winner being decided on points. Odds are usually modest, though it is marginally easier to predict correctly.
Live Boxing Bets
All of the above bets can be made not only before the match but also live, between the rounds. That gives it an extra injection of thrill, as you watch the bout, cheer your favorite, and hope for your bet to win.
Live bets are placed during the course of the fight. As action unfolds, both the dynamics of the fight and the bookmaker lines change. Betting is sometimes halted momentarily so oddsmakers can recalculate and update the lines.
Live betting has slightly lower odds due to higher risk for bookmakers. They have to monitor the match live, assess risks, and post new markets quickly. You can also follow live statistics for making more accurate predictions.
Boxing Betting – Key Tips
Boxing betting tips are legion. At first glance, it may be simpler to forecast than, say, football, since it's a one-to-one competition and you don't need to study a whole team.
To profit from boxing betting, though, there are several fundamental principles you must follow:
- Choose a reputable bookmaker. This ensures timely and fair payouts. Older names also offer better odds, bonuses, and promo codes.
- Research the fighter. Check fight history (especially against the same opponent, if applicable), intensity of training, physical condition, and motivation.
- Check weight. Heavier fighters have the advantage, even if it's just a kilogram or two.
- Know his stance. Most boxers are orthodox (right-handed). Southpaw fighters may sometimes require opponents to use altered strategies.
- Check the coaching staff. Experienced trainers can devise strategies that the opponent may not anticipate.
- Check injury reports. Training camps are 4–6 weeks and can lead to injuries – stay in the know.
- Check records. Look at win/loss records and the percentage of early stoppage wins. This helps with bets other than the result.
Know how important the match is. In high-stakes fights, mental pressure can be a huge determiner of performance.
Prior to wagering on boxing, consider if you actually know the sport. Do you read analysis pieces? Are you aware of which fighters are brawlers and which like to grind it out over a large number of rounds? Such knowledge is invaluable for winning betting.