Boxing Betting Online — Legal Sites, Top Picks & Fights 2023

While the world of boxing betting can seem daunting, there are a number of ways to get ahead and learn how to understand the field of odds, lines and bets to add an extra element of fun to a contest that you’re looking to sit down and enjoy.

In this guide, we’ll be looking at the different ways in which you can learn about boxing betting, including strategies, tips, the best sports betting sites with boxing matches more.

🔎 Types of Boxing Bets

The pugilistic endeavour of Boxing and betting on contests has been a staple of the sport for many years, with bettors putting big money into some of the most well-known competitors in combat sports history.

You should know what you’re getting into when it comes to betting on boxing, especially as there are many different ways in which you can put money down! As well as simply being able to bet on the winner of a contest, there are also ways in which you can tailor your bet to try and make the most of your money to try and make sure that you get a win.

Moneyline

Moneyline betting is arguably one of the simplest ways to bet on a boxing bout or contest, as it allows you to bet on which competitor will win the fight outright and has nearly a 50/50 chance of winning rather than delving into the weeds of individual bets. Moneyline betting will also include odds, so you’ll see something like a + or – against a boxer’s name, with the + indicating they are a favourite and the – suggesting that they are an underdog in terms of their upcoming contest.

Winning Method Bets

As noted, there are many different ways in which you can bet on a contest, and we’ll help you by going through those here:

Knockout (KO)

As simple as it sounds, a Knockout (also written as a KO) notes when one boxer has stopped their opponent in their tracks, and the bout has had to be declared finished by the referee. When this happens, the judge’s scores will not need to be looked at.

Technical Knockout (TKO)

A Technical Knockout (also known as TKO) is when a fighter is determined by the referee or a ringside medical professional to not be in a fit state to continue the bout nor be able to defend themselves from their opponent. This way of finishing a fight depends on the referee’s judgement and can often leave fans angry if a contest is deemed to have finished way too soon.

Disqualification (DQ)

Disqualification can occur when a boxer has committed a foul (or even multiple fouls), and the referee of the contest deems that they are attempting to cheat the rules and potentially harm their opponent in an unsporting manner. It is extremely rare for a betting company to offer lines on a DQ finish, as commonly, there will be stakes paid back to punters when a DQ occurs (although this is all dependent on the rules of the individual oddsmakers).

Decision/Technical Decision

A fighter can win a decision if they can ‘go the distance’ and convince the judges to score the fight in their favour. However, even great knockout artists sometimes have to settle for the win via decision, with someone like Canelo Alvarez having around a 62% KO rate in his career as of writing, so 19 of his 58 wins came from the judge’s scorecards. A contest can result in a technical decision if the fighter cannot continue. This cannot happen due to a disqualification, technical knockout or knockout.

Total Rounds Over/Under

A total rounds (over/under) bet is for bettors looking to predict whether or not a fight will go a certain amount of rounds. Is the fighter you’re betting on known for quick knockouts? Then you should probably be looking at an under the xxx amount of rounds bet. Alternatively, if the pugilist you’re betting on tends to go the distance and look for decision wins, then you should be looking at an over xxx amount of rounds bet.

Total Minutes

A total minutes bet is exactly as it sounds, and it sees a punter looking to predict how many rounds a contest will go. This is pretty much the same as a Total Rounds bet.

Parlay Bets

Parlay betting has been around for a long time, but only recently have boxing fans started to take advantage of this form of wagering. A parlay bet in Boxing is a type of bet where the bettor selects two or more different bets and combines them into one single wager, and this allows the bettor to increase the potential payout if all the selections are correct.

Special Boxing

Special boxing bets are a unique type of wager for sports fans. These unique bets, which can only be found at certain online and physical oddsmakers, offer boxing fans different ways to win big on their favourite pugilists in their athletic endeavours.

The types of special boxing bets can vary greatly depending on which fighters participate in a certain event. Oddsmakers will often create unique betting opportunities that capitalize on the talents and style preferences of specific boxers, so if a boxer is a knockout artist, then the sportsbook may decide to offer a deal on that fighter getting the win via KO/TKO in a certain round, with different rounds having a differing level of odds.

Odd/Even Round Betting

Another type of betting that is often available in Boxing is Odd/Even Round Betting. The first thing you will notice when you look at the bet is that it is not your standard straight betting line, as in a normal straightforward wager, you are either betting ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on an event happening.

An Odd/Even Round bet is similar, but instead of a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ wager, you’ll be betting on whether an incident will occur on an odd or even numbered round. So, for example, you could decide to bet on a fight ending in the third round via TKO/KO, which would be an odd round wager.

You can read our handy guide to learn detailed information on round betting in boxing.

Tournament Winner

Tournament-winner boxing bets go beyond an individual fight, meaning you’ll probably be getting a higher payout over a longer period. This bet type means you can pick an outright winner in a tournament or series of fights rather than just betting on individual bouts. It can be incredibly rewarding if you make the right predictions, as you will then have your stake multiplied by the number of wins your chosen fighter has achieved throughout the tournament.

If you’re lucky enough to have predicted the winner of a certain tournament, then you’re likely to get a fantastic return on your wager, as the odds will likely have been far greater than simply betting on a single contest!

World Title Win

Some sports betting sites and bookmakers will give bettors a chance to predict if a fighter will win a World Title in a certain amount of time. Bets such as ‘will xxx win the WBA Heavyweight title by the end of 2023‘ are quite common.

When Will Fight End

One type of bet is the When Will Fight End bet, which has become increasingly popular over recent years. As you’d probably expect based on the name, this style of bet allows fans to wager on when a fight will end. This is a similar style of bet to the Odd/Even Round bet, as you’re predicting when the contest will finish via TKO/KO, DQ or otherwise, and these bets will usually have a high reward for your wager as they’re far more difficult than say just choosing who will win a bout.

Fight to Go the Distance

One type of bet is the ‘Will the fight go the distance’ bet, which has become increasingly popular over recent years. This bet allows fans to wager on when a fight will end – whether it goes to the final bell or ends with a knockout. It can provide an exciting and unique way for viewers to not only watch Boxing but also place bets on their favourite fighters and cheer them on even more. What makes this kind of wager particularly attractive is that it gives boxing fans a chance to win big payouts if they make accurate predictions about how long a fight will last.

This type of betting requires careful analysis and knowledge of both boxers’ style and ability level to accurately predict how long a bout might go, so again it will be far more difficult than, say, just predicting and betting on which pugilist will win. Having said that, this simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ bet is also 50/50, so if you’ve got a good judge of the boxers that you’re betting on and how often they tend to go to the judge’s scorecards, then you could be on to a winner.

Punches Thrown

What exactly is a punches-thrown bet? A punches-thrown bet is when a bettor places a wager on how many punches will be thrown in a given boxing match.

Live Bets

Live in-play bets tend to be when the boxing fights are in the middle of the action, and this gives bettors a chance to look at the lay of the land and make a quick prediction on the fly, which can sometimes mean a pretty decent payout during a contest, but only if you’re right!

🥊 Boxing Betting Tips

Fundamentally, the biggest key to betting on Boxing is knowing all of the details of a fight, from how a boxer tends to perform in certain bouts to their overall record and who they are competing against. As mentioned, it’s all about knowing who you’re betting on. Make sure you’ve checked a fighter’s history, what sort of win/loss ratio they have, how their wins have come and how their losses have come.

Look at someone like Tyson Fury, for example; we know he has won his last four contests via TKO or KO, so that’s a strong indicator that he will be looking to potentially stop his next opponent before it goes to the judge’s scorecards. His next opponent could be Oleksandr Usyk, who has won his last three bouts against Anthony Joshua (x2) and Derek Chisora via decision. Although Fury is going into that contest as the favourite, it’s worth bearing in mind that Usyk is a fighter who is capable of going the distance, so it is not likely that he would be knocked out early by the Gyspy King.

Lines on fights can sometimes be off, so knowing just that little bit more about the two competitors in the ring can help your chances of not only getting back your wager but also making a pretty penny!

Understand the Boxing Betting Rules

Knowing the rules of Boxing is extremely important for bettors; whether you’re a Las Vegas veteran or looking to bet for the first time if you don’t know what you’re betting on, you’re far less likely to be content with the outcome. We should note that the results of a bet tend to be based on the official result at ringside, except for a technical draw sometimes coming into play. Different sportsbooks have different rules, so make sure that you read their FAQ and Terms of Service before placing a bet on a market.

📕 Boxing Betting Glossary for Beginners

If you’re entirely new to the sport of boxing and boxing betting and are wondering what the difference is between markets, bouts, favourites, fraction odds and more, then we’ve got you covered here:

Bouts

A boxing bout is a fight itself, so a 12-round fight would also be known as a bout.

Draw

A draw is when the judges cannot determine a winner via the points system during a bout.

Favorite

The favourite in a bout is the boxer, who is deemed most likely to win on the night.

Fraction Odds

These are odds that are more prevalent among British odds sites.

Jabs per Round

This indicates how many jabs a boxer throws in any round during a bout.

Judging System

A points-scoring system is implemented to determine who wins a fight and what the result will be if the bout goes the distance before TKO/KO or DQ can determine a winner.

Lines

Simply, a line refers to the odds that a site/sportsbook lists for a wager.

Outcome/Result

Exactly as it sounds, the result/outcome of a contest.

Underdog

An underdog is a fighter determined by sportsbooks to be the least likely to come out of a bout as the winner.

Probability

This refers to the likelihood of a contest going in a certain way.

Prop Bets

Short for proposition bets are bets placed on a particular occurrence during a bout. For example, ‘xxx to get two knockdowns in Round 1.’

🥇 Most Popular Boxing Fighters in 2023 – Boxers’ Strengths & Weaknesses

Boxing has evolved greatly over the years, with an emphasis on technical ability becoming even more important over the past few decades and knockout power amongst the top weight classes. Here are some of the most popular boxers in 2023 and a little bit on why they are as such:

Top Men Boxers to Bet on in 2023

When choosing which boxing bouts you’re going to bet on, it’s worth looking at some of the most exciting pugilists and the biggest contests worldwide because you want to ensure that you’re having fun while hoping for a return on your stake!

Artur Beterbiev

With a 100% KO record, there is a reason that bettors feel comfortable putting bets on lines involving a huge strike with Beterbiev. He was born in 1985 and has risen to international fame as a light heavyweight champion since turning pro in 2013. His incredible talent and skill have earned him multiple titles and awards throughout his impressive career. Artur’s unwavering dedication to the sport and his electrifying energy and power has made him one of the highest-rated athletes in boxing history.

Tyson Fury

The Gypsy King is regarded as one of the greatest heavyweight competitors in British boxing history. His speed in the division and unbelievable accuracy are major reasons he is revered. Fury was born in 1988 in Manchester, England, and has achieved multiple championships and accolades throughout his career. He is well-known for his bold and outspoken personality, often making headlines with controversial statements or outrageous behaviour inside the ring and out. His boxing style is aggressive and technical, showing off his impressive skill set with each fight.

Canelo Álvarez

Canelo Álvarez is one of the world’s most successful and renowned boxers. He is a two-weight world champion with multiple world championships across four weight divisions. His professional career began when he was just 15 years old, making him one of the youngest boxers ever to debut professionally. Since then, Canelo has won numerous awards and championships, including The Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year in 2019 and 2021 and an ESPY Award for the Best Boxer in the same years, 2019 and 2021.

Why is Canelo Álvarez called Saul? Saul Alvarez is Canelo Alvarez’s proper name but he’s far more known by Canelo than Saul).

Deontay Wilder

Deontay Wilder is a professional boxer who has made a name for himself in the boxing world with his impressive winning record and powerful fists. Wilder, born on October 22, 1985, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, displayed an early interest in sports and was inspired by his grandfather to pursue Boxing as a career. After having an amateur career that spanned 75 fights and only one defeat, Wilder made his professional debut on November 15, 2008.

His biggest fights were arguably the incredible trilogy that he had with Tyson Fury, and if you haven’t seen those bouts, you absolutely need to go back and watch them!

Gennadiy Golovkin

Gennadiy Golovkin is another name that is extremely well-known among boxing fans. The Kazakh fighter is a middleweight world champion and has been active in professional Boxing since his debut in 2006. As well as this, GGG has an amateur record of 342-8 and is an Olympic silver medalist. Gennadiy has established himself as a formidable opponent in the ring. His combination of skill and strength has led to an impressive record of 42 wins, 1 loss, 1 draw, with 37 knockouts.

Anthony Yarde

Another strong British fighter, Yarde, has a laidback style that is described as relaxed Boxing, where his output might not be huge, but he will be luring his opponent in to try and get the stoppage.

Guido Vianello

Despite the orthodox Italian fighter having only made his pro debut in 2019, he has an undefeated record of ten wins and one draw. Many are touting Vianello as a potential future star, and he could prove to be.

Jonathan Rice

This orthodox fighter debuted in 2014, and he has a good split of decision wins and TKO/KO victories, proving that he can go the distance when needed to stop a contest when he needs to.

Stephan Shaw

Another pugilist who made his debut in 2014, Shaw, currently has an undefeated record of 18-0-0, with 68% of his wins coming via KO/TKO. But, again, this is proof that he has the ability to grind out a decision if the opportunity to secure a stoppage isn’t forthcoming!

Top Women Boxers to Bet on in 2023

Women’s Boxing has become absolutely huge in the past few years, with massive names entering the mainstream and creating some truly incredible stars. All spectators agree that women’s Boxing is an incredibly enjoyable watch, as the athleticism and speed of the competitors make for an entertaining fight!

Katie Taylor

Katie Taylor is an Irish professional boxer, considered one of the planet’s most prolific fighters, male or female, right now. Taylor has achieved a number of feats that have made her a legend in the sport. From big world title wins to other major awards, Taylor has earned an exponential reputation in the squared circle.

Amanda Serrano

Amanda Serrano is one of the most successful and inspiring female athletes in professional Boxing. She has achieved numerous world titles throughout her impressive career, set several records, and become an inspiration to many aspiring fighters.

Chantelle Cameron

Chantelle Cameron is a professional boxer competing in the ring for many years. Cameron began her pro career in 2017 and has become one of the most decorated pugilists in the world.