Boxing has captivated audiences for centuries, and betting on the sport adds another layer of excitement to watching two athletes compete in the ring. Have you ever watched a boxing match and wondered how betting on boxing odds works? Are you interested in trying it for the first time? You have come to the right place.
This page features information that can help even experienced bettors, but it should especially benefit beginners with little to no prior experience in boxing betting.
It starts with the absolute basics and explains everything you need to know step-by-step in plain, simple language.
By the end of this page, you will understand how boxing works, types of bets you can place on boxing matches, and how to make smart betting decisions when betting on big bouts at top online sportsbooks such as BetOnline and Everygame.
Most importantly, bettors will learn how to avoid common mistakes that may see their chances for profit take a hit. Let’s get started.
Understanding the Basics of Boxing
Boxing is a combat sport where two fighters compete in a square ring with ropes around it. Each fighter wears padded gloves and tries to land punches on their opponent while avoiding getting hit themselves. It is one of the oldest and most popular combat sports in the world.
A boxing match is divided into segments called “rounds.” Each round lasts three minutes, with a one-minute break between rounds where fighters rest in their corners. Championship fights (for title belts) usually have 12 rounds, while regular fights typically have 8 or 10 rounds. If you watch a championship bout, you will be watching up to 36 minutes of actual fighting.
As is the case in MMA, boxers compete in different weight classes to ensure fights are between opponents of similar size. The lightest weight class starts around 105 pounds, and the heavyweight class includes anyone over 200 pounds. Each weight class has its own champions, which means many major boxing matches happen throughout the year.
How Do Boxing Matches End?
To bet successfully on boxing, you need to understand how a fight can end. There are several possible methods of victory in boxing, and each one affects your bets differently.
Knockout (KO) & Technical Knockout (TKO)
Knockouts are the most dramatic ending. A knockout happens when a fighter gets hit and falls to the canvas (the floor of the ring) and cannot get back up before the referee counts to ten. When the referee reaches “ten,” the fight immediately ends, and the fighter who delivered the knockout wins. Knockouts can happen at any point during a match.
A TKO occurs when the fight is stopped, but not because of a full knockout. The referee might stop the fight if one fighter is taking too much punishment and can’t defend themselves properly.
A fighter’s corner (their team) can also “throw in the towel” to end the fight if they feel their fighter is in danger. Additionally, the ringside doctor can step in and stop the fight due to a cut or injury.
Decision
If the fight finishes without a knockout or TKO, three ringside judges decide the winner.
They score each round individually, with the fighter who wins a round typically receiving 10 points and the loser receiving 9 points (or fewer if they were knocked down, dominated, or receive a points deduction for a hit below the belt or another foul). After the final round, the judges add up their scores.
Draw
Occasionally, judges score a fight evenly. This results in a draw where neither fighter wins. This occurs infrequently, but it does happen, even in championship bouts and other major bouts.
Disqualification
If a fighter repeatedly or severely breaks the rules, the referee can disqualify them, automatically awarding the victory to the other fighter. Actions that can result in disqualification in the event of repeated or severe instances can include hitting below the belt, hitting the back of the head, or biting.
Types of Boxing Bets
Let’s break down the different ways you can bet on boxing, starting with the simplest and moving to more complex options.
Popular Boxing Betting Markets
Moneyline Bets
As with betting on other sports, moneyline bets are the easiest to do and understand, as you simply pick which fighter you think will win.
With moneyline bets, the odds tell you how much you can win. You will see odds that look like this: Fighter A (-200) vs. Fighter B (+150). The negative number (-200) means that fighter is the favorite (expected to win).
If you bet on Fighter A, you would need to bet $200 to win $100 in profit. The positive number (+150) means that fighter is the underdog. If you bet $100 on Fighter B and they win, you would profit $150.
Typically,
Over/Under Round Totals
As in MMA, over/under bets in boxing apply to the total number of rounds. Sportsbooks such as BetOnline and SportsBetting.ag set a number of rounds (such as 9.5 rounds), and you bet whether the fight will last longer (over) or shorter (under) than that number. If you bet “over 9.5 rounds” and the fight ends in round 10, 11, or 12, you win. If it ends in round 9 or earlier, you lose.
Method of Victory
Instead of just picking who wins, you can predict how they will win. For example, you can bet “Fighter A to win by knockout” or “Fighter B to win by decision.” Because of the specificity involved, method of victory bets come with higher payouts but are also harder to predict.
Round Betting
Among the main boxing betting markets, round betting carries the lowest hit rate but can offer the highest payouts. It involves predicting the exact round or set of rounds when the fight will end, such as “Fighter A to win in round 6” or “Fighter A to win in rounds 4 to 6.”
If one of your round bets hits, you can win a lot of money, as these types of bets typically have long odds.
Additional Boxing Betting Options
Prop Bets
These are specific and sometimes fun bets about events that may occur during a bout. Examples include “Will there be a knockdown?” or “Will the fight go the full 12 rounds?” These bets add extra intrigue and entertainment to watching or following a fight.
Parlay Bets
Parlays combine several bets into one. For example, you might bet on the winners of three different fights on the same night. If all three of your picks win, you get a bigger payout than betting on each fight separately. Parlays are risky but can be a good option for bettors, especially when boxing matches often feature heavy favorites.
Boxing Betting Strategy for Beginners
Now that you know the types of bets, let’s discuss how to make smarter betting decisions when wagering on boxing matches.
Research Fighter Styles – Before betting on a fight, watch videos of both fighters in their previous matches (available on YouTube or sports streaming sites).
Pay attention to how they fight. Is one fighter aggressive and constantly moving forward? Does the other fighter move around the ring and avoid exchanges? Understanding their fighting styles helps you predict how they will match up against each other.
Analyze Physical Advantages – Size matters in boxing. Check the “tale of the tape,” each fighter’s height, weight, reach (arm length), and age. If one fighter has much longer arms, they can hit their opponent while staying out of range. If one fighter is much younger, they might have better stamina. These physical factors can give you clues about who might win.
Check Recent Activity – Has the fighter competed recently, or have they been inactive for a long period? Boxers who have not competed in over a year might be rusty. As a result, their timing and reflexes might not be sharp.
Active fighters who compete regularly tend to stay sharp. Check when each fighter last competed. That said, do keep in mind that top fighters often fight only once or twice a year.
Smart Boxing Betting Approaches
Look for Value – This is important: only bet when you think that the odds are favorable. If you believe a fighter has a higher chance of winning than the odds suggest, that represents a good value bet.
It is important to remember that you are not just betting on who you think will win. You are betting when you think the bookmaker has misjudged the fight.
Don’t Overvalue Power – Beginners often assume the fighter with more knockout power will win. However, skilled defensive fighters can avoid big punches and win on points by landing cleaner, more accurate shots throughout the fight. Do not assume the hardest puncher always wins, even in heavyweight bouts.
Focus on Major Fights – When you are beginning, focus on high-profile fights between well-known fighters. These fights have more information available, including expert analysis, interviews, training footage. This information helps you make informed decisions. As you gain experience and knowledge, you can explore betting on lesser-known fighters.
Mistakes to Avoid When Betting on Boxing
Betting with Your Heart
This is the most common beginner mistake with any type of betting. If you are a fan of a particular fighter, you might convince yourself they will win even when the matchup is bad for them. Always bet based on objective analysis, not emotional attachment. Sometimes that means you end up betting on a fighter you like. Sometimes that may mean betting against a fighter you like.
Ignoring Defense
Flashy, aggressive fighters who throw lots of punches are exciting to watch, just like flashy offenses are in football and fast-paced, high-scoring teams are in basketball.
But just like defense can win championships in football and basketball, boxers with excellent defense often win by not getting hit while landing their own cleaner punches. Don’t underestimate the “boring” defensive specialist. After all, one of the most renowned boxers in recent history, Floyd “Money” Mayweather, was most noted for his defensive prowess.
Following the Crowd
Social media and forums are full of people claiming they know who will win. Take all predictions with skepticism. That includes the opinions of legitimate experts, who often enough have their own biases, even unintentionally. Do your own research and make your own decisions.
Getting Started with Boxing Betting
Are you ready to start betting on boxing? Choose a reputable sportsbook (such as BetOnline or Bovada) that offers comprehensive boxing coverage with competitive odds. Most major online sportsbooks feature boxing prominently, especially for major fights.
We recommend line shopping to see which books consistently offer the best odds, as even small differences can significantly impact your long-term profitability.
Start with small moneyline bets while you learn to analyze matchups and understand line movement. Watch as many fights as possible, particularly full fights of the boxers you are considering betting on.
Some sports betting sites live stream major fights, and previous bouts are widely available on platforms like YouTube. This accessibility allows you to combine research with direct observation of fighting styles, defensive abilities, and other key attributes.
Keep detailed records of your bets. Note which fighter you picked, the odds, your bet size, and the reasoning for each bet. Over time, this in-depth information will help you identify patterns in your choices, recognize which strategies do and do not work well, and learn from any mistakes.
Also, join online communities of boxing bettors to discuss strategies, share insights, and learn from experienced bettors. Reddit, boxing forums, and social media offer valuable perspectives on upcoming fights. Just remember that while others’ opinions can offer value, your own research and analysis should be the foundation.
With major fights happening year-round across multiple weight divisions and numerous betting markets available for each bout, there are many opportunities to find value and win.
If you take the time to learn the rules and nuances of the sport, its fighters, and divisions, develop a disciplined strategy, and prioritize constant learning, growth, and responsible gambling, you can position yourself to have both short and long-term success with betting on boxing matches.