Boxing has been associated with sports betting throughout its history and is becoming big for online sports betting.
Whether you’re a diehard fan or just tuning in for a blockbuster fight, like betting on Joshua vs Ruiz Jr II, our guide helps you figure out how to bet on boxing.
Best Boxing Bets
The nature of boxing means that there is a limited range of betting markets, compared with other sports like soccer.
There are usually six different types of boxing bets that are offered by operators in the run-up to a fight:
1. Bout betting
Don’t be confused by the name, it’s an outright winner bet with a different moniker! You can wager on either participant to win outright and there will always be a draw option too. However, these will have very long odds as draws are not a frequent outcome in boxing.
2. Round betting
This wager offers the chance to pick who will win and in which round they will triumph. This is a great market to opt for if the outright odds on the favorite are very low.
3. Round group betting
Similar to round betting, this offers a little more flexibility when it comes to picking which round the fight will end. It’s often preferred by punters because choosing the exact round is very difficult to do.
4. Method of victory
A broad market, allowing punters to choose how the outcome will be decided. Options range between straight knockout, technical knockout, decision or disqualification.
5. Fight to go the distance
A simple yes or no bet on whether the fight will last all 12 rounds. It’s well worth doing your research on the participants’ recent form before approaching this one.
6. Over/under rounds
This bet allows you to predict whether the fight will last for more or less than an allocated amount of rounds. For example, if you wager on over 8.5 rounds you would lose if stopped in the 8th or before, but win if it lasted until the 9th or later.
In addition to considering these kinds of bets, make sure you wager on a fight you are actually interested in. If you have a particular interest in a certain fighter or know you’re going to be tuning in with friends or family, then taking the time to thoroughly research bets and potential outcomes will be a far less arduous task.
How To Analyze Fighters
The success of a boxing bet, like any sport, relies on you gathering as much information on the contestants as possible. While you can never make a “sure” bet, one made with careful research beforehand is less of a gamble than one made on a whim.
So, what to look out for? Firstly, take into consideration how your betting candidate has fared in previous matches at this level, and how they react to high-pressure events. If this is a prize fight and your potential candidate always fares very well in the spotlight, you can bet with a little more confidence.
Another thing to look out for is what is going on with a boxer in the run-up to a fight. For example, have they been training with a new coach? Seen tumbling out of a nightclub at 3 am? Anything that gives clues to their potential form is worth factoring in. Of course, you’re unlikely to see a potential world champ grabbing a couple of cold ones on the eve of a fight!
One of the most important things when betting on boxing is to not get sucked into the pre-fight media frenzy. There will be a lot of speculation, so look out for sensationalist or contradictory reports.
Instead, use your common sense and try to find credible news sources with balanced analysis, like ESPN or Bad Left Hook.
Choose The Best Bookmaker for Betting on Boxing
How to choose the best bookies – the eternal question! For boxing, there are two key things to look out for:
- Best odds on the wagers you want to make
- Best sportsbook bonuses available
Comparison websites, like BetOClock, will help you compare the major bookies such as Pointsbet, or Caesars Sportsbook and show the best value for your bets.
Typically, some betting sites offer favorable odds on the ‘underdog’ or outsider. So, they may be a good place to start if you’re looking for that kind of bet.
Often in the run-up to big boxing events, bookies will run a range of promotions. These are to entice new and existing customers into betting on boxing with them. This is why it’s best to shop around to see if you can get a discount or a bonus bet.
