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Introduction: Betting on Boxing

Going back thirty years or so, and you’d find that betting on boxing made up a massive percentage of all betting activities. Back then, a boxing match take could be bigger than a Super Bowl for the total monies wagered. For one reason or another, that number has dwindled down to a much smaller portion. Yet, boxing still continues to attract punters, more especially when there’s a big bout coming up.

But it’s still a good sport to bet on. And not just with the big names. There’s plenty of cash swirling around up and coming fighter who are keen to make their mark. If you happen to be in as Vegas during a match, then you’ll get to see first hand just how crazy sports boxing bettors can be. It doesn’t matter whether you’re an old fan of the game or someone completely new, you’ll both still need to put in hours of research. This is the only way to turn bloody punches to the face into lovely clean dollars. Remember if you just follow the crowd and bet on the favorites, then the payouts are going to be pitifully small. Here are some important factors to consider before putting down any cash.

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Look at the Money-line

OK…this is a no-brainer. Essentially this is the very point from which you should start your betting on boxing journey. So, what is the “money-line” exactly? Well, for a start each fighter will have his own “line”. So, for example, we might see “Mayweather – 600”. This means that in order to win $100, you’ll need to bet $600. For an underdog, you might see, “Canelo +250”, meaning that a $100 bet would win you $250.

Betting on Boxing: No Real Value Here

The problem with money-lines is that it’s a rarity to find fights between well-matched opponents. On the whole, you’ll have the favorite, who will require a bet of $1,000 just to make $100. And that’s another problem, that favorites tend to win. Having said that, one loss on a heavy favorite can erase half a dozen wins from previous fights. Try to recognize the reward vs the risk of betting on boxing favorites. Normally, we can’t find any real value there, so we tend to stay away from betting on any favorites. It’s just not worth either the gain, which would be tiny or the loss, which would be substantial. Take a look at other forms of betting, including prop bets to help increase your jackpot winning chances.

betting on boxing
Picking the right fight is essential

Over/Under Bets

Over/Under bets come into play when we try to guess how long a fight might last. If you have a feeling or from research have decided that an early knockout is on the cards, then there are some other factors you might want to bear in mind. The first thing to recognize is that more often than not, with betting on boxing, there’s a difference in pay-out depending on whether the bet is over or under. Let’s say that the line is set at 10.5 rounds. If you bet on the over, there’s a good chance you could see $100. But on the under, then the same bet would only pay out $80. So the takeaway here is that you should always check the money-line numbers on offer.

Another factor is that over/under bets tend to be very unforgiving. If a fighter hurts his knee, leading to a stoppage, then that still counts. If the roof of the venue starts to leak rainwater and the fight is stopped, then that still counts. One final consideration is the referee himself. Some are well known to end fights on the smallest pretext, while others let fights go on for longer than they perhaps should.

Know When to Hold ‘Em

On the whole, a boxing match doesn’t happen in its own universe. More often than not, there’s a card of fights on a particular night. We suggest that you refrain from betting on all the cards. Take your time and look after your bankroll. Don’t be reckless and consider carefully the fights you’re going to bet on. We suggest that you focus all your money on the one fight. This is the one fight that you’ve already done all your research on. You know about the boxer’s fighting style, his weight and health, and who the referee and judges are. More often than not you’ll stand a better opportunity at pulling in a profit if you don’t bet on the majorly billed fight. Much better value and easier picks can be found on any other fight other than the main event.

Keep Up With the News, But Avoid Public Opinion

As you already know by even the most basic understanding of politics, the general public isn’t that bright. Like-wise they tend to hold both uneducated and uninformed opinions about sport. And boxing is no different. And that’s why “fading” (betting on boxing against public opinion), is such a great option. The public tends to bet with their hearts. That’s how sportsbooks make most of their money. They know that the general public makes bad decisions on a daily basis and most certainly within the confines of sports betting. That’s why we always suggest that you take the time and do your own research to discover your own jackpot winning tips and tricks. It’s the same with any other sport, like basketball or football. Don’t just blindly follow the crowd.

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Betting on Boxing: Prop Bets

Here are some of boxing’s favorite prop bets.

betting on boxing
There is a huge variety of betting options on boxing

Will There Be a Knockdown?

Pretty obvious what this one’s about. Keep in mind that the knockout must be official. In other words, the decision must come from the referee.

Will There Be a Point Deduction?

There can be any number of reasons for deducting points from a boxer. And they’re always at the discretion of the referee. When betting on boxing we really recommend you do your research. Sometimes a boxer is known to bang heads or hit below the belt. Also, know the tenancies of each referee.

Take a look at our pro tips for beginners

Will There Be a Knockout?

If you don’t know who’s going to win but are certain that the end will come thanks to a knockout punch, then this is the best for you. Just as long as the fight ends in a knockout, you’re good to go. Read the small print as to what exactly constitutes a knockout. Often it’s if the referee counts to 10 for a fighter whose down. But it can also include the trainer throwing in the towel. And even a disqualification.

Will the Fight End in a Draw?

With this prop bet, you can only bet on it ending in a draw. You can’t do the opposite and bet on it not being a draw. There are usually some stronger odds flying around as most judges don’t see ending in a draw as a viable outcome. We wouldn’t recommend this as the main bet when you’re betting on boxing, but it’s certainly worth throwing a couple of dollars onto it.

betting on boxing
Draw always has high odds

The main point with prop bets is that if you don’t know or can’t decide on a winner before the fight, at least you can have other things to bet on.

Conclusion: Betting on Boxing

Though betting on boxing has really passed its heyday, there are still millions of dollars being wagered on fights all over the globe. You don’t have to let your lack of boxing knowledge stop you from betting. But, as you well know by now, if you’re gonna bet on these jackpot games, we suggest you put some time and effort into doing at least some basic research before jumping in with both feet. And don’t worry, the bookies won’t ban you if you win.