Wondering how to bet on boxing? Read our in-depth guide that includes how to read boxing odds, how to place a boxing bet and common mistakes to avoid.
Whether you’re new to betting on boxing or are already familiar with how to place a wager, it’s always worth taking some advice and figuring out the common mistakes you need to avoid to give yourself the best chance of winning.
In this guide, we are going to cover all the key points that come with boxing betting, including where to bet on boxing fights. We’ll address the question ‘how does betting on boxing work?’, so you can place the right bet on the top fights.
How does betting on boxing work?
First and foremost, you need to understand how boxing markets works before you can really get to grips with how to bet on boxing fights around the world.
In fact, beyond the outright winner market, other boxing bet types are very different from what you might be used to in football, cricket, tennis, or golf. Many boxing bets are placed several weeks before the fight is due to take place – though you can wait until after the weigh-in, or even see how the first round plays out before placing live wagers.
How to read boxing betting odds
Boxing odds are typically presented in the fractional format. So, part of learning how to bet on boxing is understanding how to read fractional betting odds, as this will enable you to calculate your potential winnings.
The number on the right represents a theoretical stake, and the number on the left shows the potential winnings from that stake. For example, Terence Crawford might be 2/1 to beat Canelo Alvarez.
This would mean a £1 bet on Crawford would have potential winnings of £2 (plus your stake). Or, a £10 bet on Crawford would have a total potential payout of £30 (£20 in winnings and your original £10 stake).
You will also see plenty of fractional boxing odds with a larger number than one on the right of the fraction, too – Tyson Fury, for instance, could be 9/4 to win by knockout. A £4 bet here would have a potential return of £13, including the stake.
Boxing betting advice
The No. 1 piece of boxing advice is to research the fighters thoroughly before you place any bet. Ensure you are as informed as possible before committing to a wager, which means learning about the boxers’ previous fights, their preparation, their styles and the betting trends.
Some fighters get most of their wins via a knockout. If that’s the case for both boxers, it may not be worth betting on the fight to go the distance. If a fighter tends to start slowly before dominating the middle rounds, take that into consideration when looking at different types of round betting.
Boxing styles vary considerably, too, and particularly so across weight classes. In general, the higher the weight class, the more likely a fight is to end in a knockout. So, be sure to look at how many recent fights in that weight class have hit the over for the number of total rounds.
Common mistakes when betting on boxing
Part of understanding the ins and outs of betting on boxing is knowing the common mistakes to avoid. Here are some errors that can cause a setback for bettors:
Blindly backing the betting favourite in every fight.
Overlooking the head-to-head record.
Ignoring betting trends in the weight class.
Only betting on the biggest names.
Failing to research the preparation of the two fighters.
Types of boxing betting
When it comes to the most popular types of boxing betting, here are the core ones you need to know about:
Outright winner: As it sounds, this is a bet on who will win the fight. It doesn’t matter how they win, just that they are declared the winner.
Will the fight go the distance: A yes/no bet on whether the fight will last the full number of rounds.
Round betting: This refers to bets on a fighter to win a specific round or in a group of rounds.
Over/under rounds: Similar to over/under bets in other sports, this is a bet on whether there will be over or under a certain number of rounds in the fight.
Method of victory: This requires you to predict who will win and how they will win.
How to bet on boxing methods of victory
There are various ways for a boxer to win a fight. As a result, bettors might be looking to find out how to bet on boxing methods of victory. For example, a bet on the method of victory is often a way to achieve longer odds when a fighter is heavily favoured. You need to predict not just who will win, but exactly how they will win.
Here at Betway, you can wager on a fighter to win by knockout, technical knockout, or disqualification, or you can place a wager on a fighter to win by decision or technical decision.
How to place a boxing bet
Once you know how to bet on boxing fights in the UK and, it’s time to decide where to place your wager. Well, look no further: Betway is one of the market leaders, and it couldn’t be easier to place a boxing bet.
First of all, head to our account registration page. Here, simply enter the required details, such as your name, date of birth, and location. You may then need to verify your age and identity through a personal document.
Once this is complete, you need to choose a banking method to deposit funds. Enter your bank details and decide how much money you want to add to your account. Now you have money in your account, it’s simply a case of deciding which bet you want to place and entering your stake.
Related to boxing betting
We’ve covered how to place a bet on boxing, but if you want to learn more about one of the most lucrative sports in the world then you’ll be pleased to hear that our extended catalogue of boxing coverage is comprehensive, including articles on: Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury, how to become an undisputed heavyweight champion, championship belts explained, and a look at the best fights of Canelo Alvarez’s career.
