Boxing Betting

Written by: Joseph Falchetti, Editor-in-Chief, Pro Sports Bettor and Casino Expert
Last updated:
8 minute read
AJ knocks out Klitschko with an uppercut - boxing betting

Today’s betting market for boxing is one of the best in recent history. There is a whole host of propositions for every big PPV fights, and live betting options are plentiful.

The best part is that all of them can be access via online boxing betting sites. Fighters like Anthony Joshua, Canelo Álvarez, and Floyd Mayweather are the ones keeping the public engaged. 

It will likely never return to the heyday of the early 90s, but for long-time fans, they can probably rest easy that boxing isn’t in trouble and is closer to thriving these days. 

Best Boxing Gambling Sites 2024

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  • 1
    A+
    4.9/5.0
    50% Up To $250
  • 2
    A+
    4.9/5.0
    100% Up To $2,500
  • 3
    A+
    4.8/5.0
    50% Up To $250
  • 3
    A+
    4.8/5.0
    100% Up To $500
  • 4
    A+
    4.2/5.0
    125% Up To $1,250
  • 5
    A
    4.7/5.0
    100% Up To $1,000
  • 5
    A
    4.7/5.0
    50% Up To $1,000

How Does boxing Betting Work

If you are new to betting on boxing follow these steps and you’ll be ready to wager on the next big fight of the year.

1. Choose The Sportsbook

Some sports wagering sites are scams, that’s why you need to learn how to find reputable sites and which ones you should avoid completely. At Safest Betting Sites, we have several trusted betting sites reviews.

2. Signup Bonuses

Most box betting sites will offer you promotions when you sign-up, Leverage your boxing bets to earn the bonus payout and keep growing your bankroll. You need to make a set amount of wagers to take full advantage of these signup bonuses.

3. Making A Deposit

Once you find the boxing betting site that works better for you, it’s time to deposit your wagering money. Use credit cards, debit cards, PayPal or the new popular deposit method via cryptocurrencies, which usually has no deposit fee.

4. Boxing Line Shopping

Shop at other sportsbooks. If you really like a line at a sportsbook, verify if you find another one with a better line offer.

5. Placing Your Bet

Read our guide to sports betting strategies to get ready to place your bet. review your bet, confirm, and now you can relax and enjoy the fight.

You Can Bet On Boxing Matches At These Top Sites

Finding the best place to bet on boxing is essential to your success. We took the time to review and rank the most trusted boxing gambling sites out there.

Rank Boxing Betting Sites Deposit Bonus Get Started
#1 100% up to $1,000 Bet & Win
#2 50% Up To $1,000 Bet & Win
#3 50% Up To $250 Bet & Win
#4 100% Up To $500 Bet & Win
#5 50% Up To $250 Bet & Win

How Do Boxing Odds Work?

Boxing odds work the same way as they do in other combat sports, the most popular boxing bet is the match odds in moneyline form

For example, Canelo Alvarez vs  Gennady Golovkin (GGG), in that fight GGG was the favorite with -160, on the other hand, Canelo was the underdog at +130.

Boxer Odds
Canelo Alvarez +130
Gennady Golovkin -160

This means that you need to bet $160 to earn a $100 and that if you bet $100 on the underdog you could make $130 if Canelo wins. In many cases, this will also include a draw option.

However, most sportsbooks these days choose not to offer the draw as a betting option since it’s a rather rare occurrence.

Boxing Moneyline Odds

GGG with his guard down - boxing bets

In the event of a tie, (provided it’s not an available betting option) the sportsbook will refund the stakes of both players, and the bet will be a push.

At least, that’s how things should be handled. You’ll have no issue with reputable bookmakers, but if you’re betting a lesser-known sportsbook, be sure of the betting rules before placing a wager.

Boxing Total (Over/Under)

The total in boxing is based on the number of rounds a fight goes, rather than punches landed or judge scoring. Boxing matches normally consist of a set amount of three-minute rounds.

Bet Odds
Over 10.5 Rounds (-130)
Under 10.5 Rounds (-110)

A typical boxing match has between 9-12 rounds. The above two markets will be available for just about every fight, but there is a lot more available at most sportsbooks.

Bettors can wager on a knockout or a winner by decision to decide. The number of rounds a fight will go is another option as a proposition bet. Then there is the ability to live bet the fight live as it happens.

For high profile fights, the number of betting options can easily reach 100 markets or more. Almost all of these markets are props.

Where’s The Value

Bettors can find some hidden value in these markets but should be careful with the high bookmaker margins sometimes associated with these bets, particularly on big-name fights.

The bookies are eager to take action on blockbuster fights. Odds will be available on betting sites in some cases before the fights are officially announced.

Once they are made official, pretty much every sportsbook on the web will at least have match odds and totals on the number of rounds.

Boxing Betting Strategy

Now you understand how different boxing moneylines odds work and are familiar with our recommended online sports betting sites, it’s time help you build a solid boxing wagering strategy.

We shall discuss various boxing betting strategies you can use when deciding on whom you might bet in the boxing match, having your strategy in place might help you exponentially increase your bankroll.

Betting Tip #1Look For Value With Underdogs

the money fight Conor vs Floyd - boxing online betting guide

The sportsbooks often take a hugely disproportionate amount of action on favorites compared to the underdogs, particularly in high-profile matches.

For instance, it’s not uncommon in a boxing match to see the favorite listed at -1000 and the underdog to be at +650.

The odds in boxing are almost always going to favor taking an underdog when one fighter has a substantial advantage over the other.

Artificially Increased Prices

Bettors simply prefer to bet favorites more than underdogs, (in all sports) which inflates the odds for the favorite even more.

The bookmakers can’t price them too closely, as they are never going to get equal action on both sides. Remember, even if you’re extremely high on the favorite, you’re likely paying an artificially increased price due to overwhelming betting action from the public or square bettors.

Betting Tip #2Know The Wagering Limits

Boxing typically has substantially lower limits than most other sports, particularly when it comes to football and basketball wagering.

At Mybookie.ag, they accept up to $1,000 on boxing spreads, moneylines, and totals. At Bovada.lv, they accept the same $1,000 on sides and totals, but the limit is dropped to $500 when it comes to props.

As mentioned above, boxing just simply isn’t as popular as it once was. It’s tough for sportsbooks to pay attention to boxing matches (aside from high-profile fights) when it comes to odds.

Betting Tip #3Pay Attention To The Breakeven Percentage

Your breakeven percentage on a -1000 bet is 90.91%. You’re going to have to win your wager more than nine times out of 10 to break even.

Whereas, at +650, your breakeven percentage is just over 13%. We highlight this when it comes to boxing because of the massive difference in pricing between the underdog and the favorite.

Keep in mind, all of the best fighters over the years had to upset a prominent opponent to reach prominence. Upsets happen in boxing, even though from the outside, it looks like a few guys are dominating the sport.

Betting Tip #4Smart Line Shopping

Line shopping is vital when it comes to boxing. Big-ticket fights, such as Pay-Per-Views and other high profile matches will have similar odds across multiple sites.

While we still recommend line shopping for larger events thoroughly, but where it truly comes in handy is betting lesser-known fights. Most boxing fans are casual and don’t regularly watch the sport, but will put down a bet and enjoy a big fight.

These smaller lesser-known fights won’t get nearly as much betting action. The bets will also be spread across multiple bookmakers across the world in many cases, so the odds may not move in unison like other markets.

Betting Tip #5Value Opponents Over Form

Those who evaluate a fighter’s next bout based on his previous few fights may not be looking at the whole picture.

The opponents faced is considerably more important than any win or loss record. Of course, if a fighter is losing to subpar opponents, then it’s something to take notice.

However, if he’s cruising through a bunch of fighters he should be beating handily, well, it doesn’t tell us much.

Every fighter has their good and bad days, but it’s important not to get too high on a fighter because he’s won x number of fights in a row. Remember, all this information is out there and available to the general public.

Handicapping Boxing

Don’t reinvent the wheel when it comes to handicapping boxing targeting a fighter because he won most of his previous fights decisively. The betting public is doing that, and they lose long term.

Try not to focus on the current form of the fighter and consider his opponents. Taking a fighter who has been tested by other quality opponents may make more sense, than a guy who has cruised through competitions against clearly subpar fighters.

Whether you’re a boxing fan or not you probably heard about Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather, and Rocky Marciano.

That’s not surprising at all, there are always athletes that transcend the sport. Despite the belief that boxing best years are far gone, there are fighters that still keep us hooked with the sweet science.

Gennady Golovkin (GGG)

GGG jab

GGG is 35 years old and he holds a  professional record of 38 wins 1 loss and 1 draw.

33 of his 38 victories are by knockout. Golovkin was a middleweight world champion between 2010 and 2018.

Currently, he is the world’s second-best active middleweight fighter.

Anthony Joshua (AJ)

Anthony Joshua holding its belts

What can we say about AJ? Joshua is a former Olympian, charismatic, talented, and the most lucrative heavyweight champion in the world.

He is the champion of the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and the World Boxing Association (WBA).

He holds an undefeated record of 22-0 with 21 victories by knockout.

Deontay Wilder (The Bronze Bomber)

Deontay Wilder punching

Deontay it’s another star of modern boxing, former Olympian medalist in 2002 and currently heavyweight world champion from the World Boxing Council (WBC).

The Bronze Bomber is the undefeated champion with an impressive 40-0 record,  39 of his 40 bouts ended with him winning by knockout.

Saúl Álvarez (Canelo)

Saúl "canelo" Álvarez

Canelo is a prominent face in the boxing world, he’s a multiple-time world champion holding a professional record of 50 wins, 1 loss, and 2 draws.

Álvarez recently made what it’s considered by the press as “the biggest deal in the history of the sport” since Canelo will make $365 million for 11 fights in five years.

Mikey García

Mikey García Weight-in

Born in a family of boxers, Mikey was raised to be the boxing star he is, holding an undefeated professional record of 39-0 with 30 of his victories achieved by knockout.

Mikey Garcia is the current lightweight champion recognized by the WBC.

Bet On Top Boxers And Their Fights At MyBookie.ag

About the Author

Joseph Falchetti

Joseph Falchetti

Editor-in-Chief, Pro Sports Bettor and Casino Expert

Joe is the author of the majority of sports betting pages on SBS and he serves as a gambling consultant to our content team. He's been mentioned on Forbes.com as a gaming analyst, and his articles have been linked by larger publications, such as the New York Times.

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