Boxing is one of the oldest sports in the world. Its roots in hand-to-hand combat date back to ancient Greece, where it was a part of the Olympic games as early as 688 B.C. Boxing as we know it evolved from a series of rules devised in Great Britain in the 19th century. Below, we’ll list the latest boxing betting odds and discuss popular boxing bets.
Boxing is held both professionally and at an amateur level around the world. In the most popular version of the sport, fighters wear gloves and are only allowed to use their fists. Amateurs are allowed additional protective headgear.
Fights take place in a four-sided ring surrounded by ropes. Rounds are three minutes each. Fights can go up to 12 rounds. They are regulated by state athletic commissions and other sanctioning bodies around the world.
Over the past 100 years, boxers have been among the world’s most famous athletes. Memorable boxers include Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis, George Foreman, Mike Tyson, Sugar Ray Leonard, Oscar de la Hoya, and Floyd Mayweather Jr. More current names like Canelo Alvarez and Anthony Joshua.
Betting on boxing became popular in the 1960s with the rise of Muhammad Ali. It was around this time that the biggest fights moved from New York’s Madison Square Garden to Las Vegas. Casinos hosted the fights and used them to attract high rollers to their hotels. The gambling traditions in the sport endure to this day.
Boxing
League Markets|
Game |
 BetMGMBet |
|---|---|
Lewis Ritson
Conah Walker
4:30pm EST - Welterweight | +425-700 |
Galal Yafai
Sunny Edwards
5:15pm EST - Flyweight | +105-140 |
Lewis Oakford
Aloys Junior
12/07/24 12:00pm EST - Upcoming Fights | |
David Adeleye
Solomon Dacres
12/07/24 12:00pm EST - Upcoming Fights | |
| BetMGM | |
Hussein Muhamed
Lawrence Okolie
12/07/24 12:00pm EST - Upcoming Fights | |
Ryan Walsh
Sam Noakes
12/07/24 12:00pm EST - Upcoming Fights | |
Brad Pauls
Denzel Bentley
12/07/24 4:00pm EST - Middleweight | +105-140 |
Jackson Marinez
Lindolfo Delgado
12/07/24 7:00pm EST - Upcoming Fights | |
| BetMGM | |
Christopher Diaz
Henry Lebron
12/07/24 8:00pm EST - Upcoming Fights | |
Angel Gonzalez Jr
Yankiel Rivera
12/07/24 8:00pm EST - Upcoming Fights | |
Oscar Valdez
Emanuel Navarrete
12/07/24 9:00pm EST - Super-featherweight | +190-275 |
Richardson Hitchins
Liam Paro
12/07/24 9:00pm EST - Super Lightweight | +105-135 |
| BetMGM | |
Rafael Espinoza
Robeisy Ramirez Carrazana
12/07/24 9:00pm EST - Featherweight | +110-150 |
Serhii Bohachuk
Israil Madrimov
12/21/24 12:00pm EST - Upcoming Fights | |
Tyson Fury
Oleksandr Usyk
12/21/24 5:00pm EST - Heavyweight | +130-175 |
Sam Goodman
Naoya Inoue
12/24/24 6:00am EST - Super-bantamweight | +900-3000 |
How to Read Sports Betting Odds Video
Table of Contents
Boxing Bets
The easiest wager is a moneyline bet on a boxer to win the fight. There are also a number of secondary boxing bets available for knowledgeable handicappers.
Moneyline Bet
Choose which fighter you think will win. The method of victory doesn’t matter.
Oddsmakers will determine a favorite and an underdog. The favorite will be designated with a minus sign. The underdog will have a plus sign.
Moneyline Bet Example
May 2, 2015 – Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather
Manny Pacquiao +200
Floyd Mayweather -240
In this fight between two of the best fighters of a generation, Floyd Mayweather was not an overwhelming favorite, but a decent one. The odds show that you had to bet $240 on Mayweather to win $100.
On the other side, betting on an underdog means that you risk less to win more. For Pacquiao, you had to bet $100 in order to win $200. Pacquiao bettors would have doubled their money if he pulled off the upset.
Mayweather won this fight via the judges’ decision after 12 rounds. That means the favorite won this one.
Boxing Betting Underdogs that Won Bog
Boxing upsets do happen and sometimes it’s on a major scale.
There was no bigger upset in boxing history than on Feb. 11, 1990. James “Buster” Douglas went off as a +4200 underdog against Mike Tyson, who was the undefeated heavyweight champion of the world at the time. Douglas ended up knocking out Mike Tyson.
A $100 bet on Douglas would’ve paid out $4,200! Tyson was 37-0 before facing Douglas, winning 33 of those bouts by knockout. It was inconceivable at the time that Douglas wouldn’t be anything but another notch on Tyson’s belt.
Boxing Odds Example
|
Game |
BetMGM Bet |
|---|---|
Brad Pauls
Denzel Bentley
Middleweight - 12/07/24 4:00pm EST | +105-140 |
- Brad Pauls bettors risk $100 to win $105 at +105 odds. The implied probability for Brad Pauls is 48.78%.
- Denzel Bentley bettors risk $100 to win $71.43 at -140 odds. The implied probability for Denzel Bentley is 58.33%.
Round Totals (Over-Under)
An over-under bet in boxing means you decide whether the fight will go over or under the sportsbook’s round total line. In boxing, the round total represents elapsed or completed rounds as time.
A Half Round is the First 1:30 of the Next Round
A whole round is 3 minutes. A half-round is 1 minute and 30 seconds. Any half-round total represents the first 1:30 of the round following the previous whole round.
For example, a 6.5 round total means six whole rounds plus 1:30 of round 7. If the fight ends on or before round 7 at 1:29, the under wins. If the fight ends round 7 at 1:31 or after, including a decision, the over wins.
Boxing total round bets can push (tie) if the fight ends exactly on the total line. In the 6.5 round total that we used above, if the fight ends exactly at 1:30 of round 7, all total bets would push. This is highly unlikely to happen.
Similarly, an 11.5 round total means 11 whole rounds plus 1:30 of the final round. If the fight ends on or before round 12 at 1:29, the under wins. If the fight ends round 12 at 1:31 or after, including a decision, the over wins. You will see round total odds like this for fights that are expected to end via judges’ decision.
Note that a 6.5 round line does not mean halfway through the sixth round! Always think of completed rounds + time. Therefore a 6.5 line means six complete rounds plus 1:30 of round 7.
Round Total Bet Example
October 9, 2021 – Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury 3
Deontay Wilder 7.5 o -127
Tyson Fury 7.5 u -107
Oddsmakers thought the fight would likely reach the later rounds. That’s why the odds on the over had slightly worse odds than taking the under. The first fight between the two ended in a draw. Fury won the second matchup at 1:39 of the seventh round via TKO.
A bet on the over required bettors to risk $127 to win $100, whereas taking the under meant only having to put up $107 to win $100.
In the end, the over won. The fight went to the 11th round when Fury knocked out Wilder at the 1:10 mark.
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Type of Victory
Choose the type of victory bet when you’re looking for a little more value in your bet, especially on a heavy favorite.
In boxing, the results are generally KO/TKO, decision, and draw. For bigger fights, you may be able to separate knockout and technical knockout. Other possible results include the type of judge’s decision:
- Unanimous – all three judges’ scorecards had the same person ahead.
- Majority – two scorecards for one fighter with one draw.
- Split – two judges for one fighter, one judge for the other.
Each result will almost always have a plus sign. The number indicates how much you win for risking $100.
Consider this bet when you have a strong feeling who will win and how the fight will end. Type of Victory bets are riskier than a moneyline bet. They also payout much more than just picking the outright winner.
Type of Victory Bet Example
September 16, 2017 – Canelo Alvarez vs. Gennady Golovkin 1
| Canelo Alvarez Type of Victory | Odds |
|---|---|
|
KO/TKO
|
+500
|
|
Split/Majority Decision
|
+205
|
|
Unanimous Decision
|
+400
|
|
Draw
|
+1600
|
| Gennady Golovkin Type of Victory | Odds |
|---|---|
|
KO/TKO
|
+160
|
|
Split/Majority Decision
|
+275
|
|
Unanimous Decision
|
+400
|
|
Draw
|
+1600
|
Oddsmakers take the fighter’s overall chances into account as well as their preferred style of fighting.
Golovkin, for example, was more prone to winning fights without having to go to the judges’ scorecards. So his odds of winning by KO or TKO were much better than Alvarez.
Meanwhile, Alvarez tended to win more via decision. So his odds to do so weren’t as long as GGG’s even though Golovkin was favored to win the fight.
Alvarez vs. Golovkin 1 Ended in a Draw
For reference, the longest of longshots hit for this fight, as it ended in a draw. Those who bet $100 on a draw ended up collecting $1600.
For a draw, the scorecards were all over the place. One judge had the scoring 118-110 for Alvarez, another 115-113 for Golovkin, and the third had it at 114-114.
Scores in boxing are given on the 10-point must system. A judge must issue the winner of a round 10 points. The loser of the round typically gets nine points, unless a fighter is knocked down, in which case he gets eight points. A 10-10 round can also be issued, but judges are discouraged from doing so.
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Boxing Major Betting Events
Major Title Fights
Unlike other sports, boxing has no singular “major league” promotion or league. It differs from MMA, where UFC is the dominant league among smaller ones like Bellator and Absolute Championship.
There are four sanctioning bodies that recognize champions in each weight class. A belt is given to each title-holder. The major bodies are:
- WBA – World Boxing Association
- WBC – World Boxing Council
- IBF – International Boxing Federation
- WBO – World Boxing Organization
Boxers can fight across different weight classes and vie for championships in different sanctioning bodies. If a boxer wins the championship from all four sanctioning bodies in a weight class, he’s considered the undisputed champion of the world in that weight class.
You can see the current champions of each sanctioning body and weight class here.
Most big boxing bouts take place on pay-per-view television. Top fighters are either aligned with promoters (like Don King or Bob Arum) or networks (ESPN, HBO, Showtime). While there are some boxing fights on network or cable TV, the big events are on pay-per-view.
Celebrity Fights
Around 2019, celebrity boxing fights began taking hold in popular culture. These fights are less about technical ability and more about entertainment.
YouTube influencers Jake and Logan Paul have been at the forefront of this movement. The brothers have had fights against the likes of Floyd Mayweather and former UFC fighters Tyron Woodley, Ben Askren, and Anderson Silva.
Even though these fights are not popular among traditional boxing fans, the public has shown plenty of appetite for these events. Most sportsbooks will offer odds on celebrity bouts.
For example, Jake Paul fought former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley on December 18, 2021. Woodley, obviously the more accomplished fighter overall, was at a disadvantage because this was a boxing match and not an MMA bout. The odds listed Paul at -310 on the moneyline with Woodley a +225 underdog.
Paul knocked Woodley out in the sixth round, winning as the heavy favorite.
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When to Bet on Boxing Bouts
Odds for specific boxing cards tend to come out a week or two in advance. Bets for big fights can be made several months ahead of time. For example, in September 2022, you could bet on the heavyweight fight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua scheduled for Dec. 3, 2022.
While the odds are available early, there is a lot of information you can glean from waiting until closer to fight night. Specifically, you should wait until the fighters weigh in for their bouts, which takes place the day before the event.
In general, fighters will drop a good amount of weight to be able to reach their weight-class target. Afterward, they’ll put some pounds back on between the time of the weigh-in and when they step into the ring.
Watch the Weight-Cutting
Sometimes, this weight-cutting process doesn’t go well for fighters. They may have overestimated how much weight they have to lose and can get dehydrated, which can lead to a loss of strength for the fight the next day. If you can identify fighters who have a rough weight cut, that can give you an advantage when placing a wager. Placing your bet after this information is available is the best strategy.
Another thing to watch at the weigh-ins is the appearance of a fighter. If a boxer doesn’t look like he usually does at weigh-in, he may have had a rough training camp or is trying to hide an injury. Boxers will try to downplay any news regarding injuries so their opponents do not get an advantage. If you have a keen eye and suspect something is off, it’s to your advantage to bet closer to a fight.
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Boxing Betting Handicapping Strategies
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Study the Tale of the Tape
The “tale of the tape” is the pre-fight measurements for each competitor. The “tape” part of the phrase comes from a tape measure. These statistics include height, weight, win-loss record, stance, reach, and age.
Of utmost importance are the fighters’ ages. If there is a large age gap, the younger fighter should have the edge. Similarly, a fighter with greater reach also has an inherent advantage. They should get hit less and have the ability to hit their opponent more.
Taking a boxer’s stance into account can also help determine an edge. If a boxer is a southpaw (left-handed stance), it can sometimes throw off the game plan for an orthodox (right-handed) fighter.
Research the Fight’s Judges in Advance
Judges will be assigned to a fight in the days before the event. Savvy bettors will research how they judge fights. Check whether they judge based on punches landed (quantity) or significant damage done by strikes (quality). Then, cross-reference their tendencies to each fighter’s style.
Scoring a fight is subjective. If you believe a fight will likely go to the judges’ scorecards, knowing how the judges award points can give you a big advantage. Pick the fighter who will get the most favorable evaluation from the judges.
Become an Expert in a Division or Two
There are eight traditional weight classes in men’s boxing. An additional 10 have been added in recent years. That’s a lot of fighters to keep track of! The more information you’re armed with, the better.
Pick a couple of divisions you enjoy watching and really hone in on the fighters. Watch each fight carefully, including those further down the card. Note each fighter’s strengths and weaknesses, method of victory, conditioning, and recent results.
Learn about each fighter’s training and background. This is where studying the tale of the tape can work to your advantage.
Oddsmakers also pay less attention to preliminary fights vs. main event bouts. Use your knowledge to find value on the undercard. Look for mispriced matchups and potential underdog upsets.
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Boxing Odds FAQs
A boxing total line indicates whole rounds plus one half or 1:30 of the next round. If the total is 6.5, that means you’re betting whether the fight will go under or over the halfway point (1:30) of the seventh round.
Betting on boxing became popular in the 1960s with the rise of Muhammad Ali. At that time, the biggest fights began to gravitate toward Las Vegas from New York’s Madison Square Garden.
Judges must give the round winner 10 points on their scorecard. The round loser gets 9 points. Points are also deducted for knockdowns and fouls.
A moneyline bet on a fighter to win a boxing match is the most popular boxing bet. Odds are assigned based on who bookmakers believe will win the match. A win on a big underdog can be quite profitable.
Odds generally come out a couple weeks before a fight, but a big fight can see odds out several months in advance. If you don’t perceive early value, wait until after the weigh-ins the day before the fight. This is when you get the most information on a competitor.
This is a prop bet where you predict the winning fighter and their method of victory. Options include knockout/TKO, decision, or draw. Some sportsbooks also allow you choose a unanimous, majority, or split decision.
Boxing Betting Resources
- How to Bet on Boxing – Learn the ins and outs of boxing betting. Our helpful tutorial explains how to bet on bouts, including exotic bets like will the bout go the distance, in which round the bout will end, and how the bout will end.
- Boxing Betting Sites – Join a new and exciting boxing betting site before the next bout begins. We’ve reviewed multiple licensed and legal US sportsbooks that offer lines on boxing matches.
- Boxing Odds – Review odds to win upcoming bouts from across the United States and around the world, including future title bouts.