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Boxing Betting Sites Free Bets & Bonuses
Boxing is one of the most popular sports worldwide. Its current format began with the Queensberry Rules in 1867. It’s a sport that’s never dull, that’s for sure. However, what makes a boxing match even more exciting is staking on the result.
Every jab, every uppercut makes your heart race. As such, it’s no wonder boxing betting has grown into a compelling sideshow for fans all over the world — and a huge business.
Types of Boxing Bets
Because of the Internet, we now have the opportunity to bet from virtually everywhere. For example, while you are comfortably sitting at home watching the fight, you can take your phone out and bet while the match is still in action.
Markets have become bigger and better with in-play bets — you can place your bet on the method of victory, outcome, fight specials, or total rounds. In fact, these are all available on the major bookmaker websites, from Sky Bet to Paddy Power Sports.
- Straight Betting
This is the easiest and most popular of all bets. In a word, you simply bet on who’s going to win the match. If you are right, you win at the odds that you placed on.
- Total/Over-Under Betting
This bet is based on how long a fight will last, so it doesn’t matter who wins. You can bet on a specific number of rounds, for example, six rounds, for the best odds. Another option is to bet on over or under the predetermined value — pick if the fight will last over or under six rounds.
- Group Round Betting/Round Betting
In a word, you pick a winner and how they will win — KO, TKO or disqualification in the given round/group of rounds.
- Method of Victory
Simply put, you have to pick both the fighter and the way that the fight will end. There are three types of outcomes — by KO, TKO, or disqualification.
- Fight to Go the Distance
This is a bet you make if you expect a fight to be “cagey”. To explain, what you are betting on is that the fight will last all of the allotted rounds.
- Fight Specials
Fight specials come in many different forms. For example, you can bet on who’s going to be your pick’s next opponent.
Which Are the Best Bets?
Each type of bet has its own advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, players usually look for the best odds or at least the ones that have a decent return.
There’s usually a favourite fighter in boxing matches, as they are often mismatched. So, the imbalance causes some bets to be better than others.
For example, straight betting usually has lower odds, compared to a more specific bet. In a two-man fight, there are three scenarios — fighter A wins, fighter B wins, or it’s a draw. So, the odds are usually the worst when you just place a straight bet.
Make Specific Bets for Better Profits
Rather than placing a straight bet, look at the more specific ones, like over/under or round betting. After all, Floyd Mayweather tried to place a $400,000 (£321,368) over/under bet on himself through a friend. He knew that this way, he’d bag a lot more money as opposed to a straight bet. In the end, the bet was denied, as it was most likely illegal. But if the bet had gone through, he would have made $600,000 (£482,052).
If you place more specific bets, you’ll get better odds. This rule is especially true for boxing, though it can apply to other sports, too. For example, if you believe that the fight will not go the distance, bet on the method of victory. In general, betting against it going the distance will get you a lower return.
However, if the fight is more balanced, that is, without a strong favourite, you can definitely bet on one of the fighters. In addition, straight bets in these circumstances are fine if you can’t tell who’s going to win right off the bat. Just keep in mind that there are better odds in the more specific punts. Still, if you know what you are doing, a straight bet can yield a decent profit.
As fans become more skilled, total rounds, over/under, and round betting become the popular choice. Therefore, do more than the average punter and place a bet on a specific outcome so that you can win at bigger odds.
Comparing Betting Sites
Since there are so many different sites and different fights, unique markets and odds are a given. Demand and interest are what defines the odds, which means that each bookie will offer different bets.
A certain match can have very different odds through different bookmakers. For example, if you were to bet on a draw, Betbright might offer 12/1 and Paddy Power 20/1, while 888Sport might stand at 22/1. So, we encourage “shopping around” — finding the best offer ensures a better return.
Free Bets and Bonuses
Broadly speaking, there are two types of bonuses in betting. The first one is a welcome bonus. In fact, it has become an industry standard, and bookies offer it to new customers. The bonus is usually as big as the first deposit you make. Another option is a free bet bonus, for example, £5, for signing up for an account.
The second type of bonuses is more versatile. Since bookmakers know that big matches bring in new clients, they often offer special bonuses. These bonuses come in the form of enhanced odds or free bets.
Keep in mind that special bonuses come with more restrictions, so read up on the terms and conditions so that you can make the most of your bonus.
Leading Current Boxers
Today’s boxing stage is full of numerous amazing fighters, so it’s difficult to pick just one and dub them the best. However, we have comprised lists of the most prominent fighters in each division.
Heavyweight:
Deontay Wilder – 38-0
Anthony Joshua – 19-0
Light Heavyweight:
Adonis Stevenson – 29-1
Andre Ward – 31-0
Sergey Kovalev – 30-1-1
Middleweight:
Gennady Golovkin – 37-0
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez – 49-1-1
Danny Jacobs – 32-2
Light Middleweight:
Erislandy Lara – 24-2-2
Welterweight:
Keith Thurman – 28-0
Danny Garcia – 33-1
Shawn Porter – 27-2-1
Super Lightweight:
Terence Crawford – 31-0
Viktor Postol – 28-1
Super Featherweight:
Vasyl Lomachenko – 9-1
Featherweight:
Leo Santa Cruz – 33-1-1
Carl Frampton – 23-1
Junior Featherweight:
Guillermo Rigondeaux – 17-0
Super Flyweight:
Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez – 46-1
Weight Divisions
Minimumweight – 7 st 7 lbs/105 lbs
Light Flyweight – 7 st 10 lbs/108 lbs
Flyweight – 8 st/112 lbs
Super Flyweight – 8 st 3 lbs/115 lbs
Bantamweight – 8 st 6 lbs/118 lbs
Super Bantamweight – 8 st 10 lbs/122 lbs
Featherweight – 9 st/126 lbs
Super Featherweight – 9 st 4 lbs/130 lbs
Lightweight – 9 st 9 lbs/135 lbs
Super Lightweight – 10 st/140 lbs
Welterweight – 10 st 7 lbs/147 lbs
Super Welterweight – 11 st/154 lbs
Middleweight – 11 st 6 lbs/160 lbs
Super Middleweight – 12 st/168 lbs
Light Heavyweight – 12 st 7 lbs/175 lbs
Cruiserweight – 14 st 4 lbs/200 lbs
Heavyweight – greater than 14 st 4 lbs/200 lbs
Main Boxing Associations
Four main boxing organizations sanction the world title fights. The International Boxing Hall of Fame concedes these organisations.
1. World Boxing Association
The association was originally founded in 1921. However, its current form was established in 1962. The World Boxing Association’s headquarters are in Panama City, Panama. Anthony Joshua is their current heavyweight champion.
2. International Boxing Federation
The Federation’s current heavyweight champion is, again, Anthony Joshua. It was founded in 1983, and their headquarters are in Springfield, NJ, USA.
3. World Boxing Council
The World Boxing Council was founded in 1963. The current headquarters are in Mexico City, Mexico, and its current heavyweight champion is Deontay Wilder.
4. World Boxing Organisation
The current heavyweight champion of the World Boxing Organisation is Joseph Parker. The organization was founded in 1988. Its current headquarters are in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Queensberry Rules and How Boxing Came About
The origin of boxing can be traced back to ancient Greece, but back then, bare-knuckle fights were in the spotlight. Homer even briefly mentions the sport in Iliad.
Eventually, the Roman civilization came, and the fights became a lot more dangerous, as they used leather straps plated with metal. After the Roman Empire fell, though, these fights subsided and did not resurface until the 18th century.
Even though it gained popularity quickly, there were no rules set for the sport. As a result, death and serious injury were a problem yet to be solved.
Fortunately, the 1860s rolled around, and John Douglas, 9th Marquess of Queensberry, publicly endorsed a code of rules for the sport.
This was the first time gloves were required for a licensed fight. Also, rounds had to last three minutes, while wrestling, eye-gouging, and other moves were prohibited. The 20th century was right around the corner, so bare-knuckle fighting died out and was replaced by what we now know and love — the art of boxing.
Boxing in the 21st Century
While boxing has seen a slight decline in interest, mostly due to MMA’s shot to fame, it’s still an incredibly noble sport.
Legends like Evander Holyfield, Oscar de la Hoya, and Mike Tyson made this sport what it is today. However, since Mayweather retired, it seems as if there’s no one left to take over their legacy.
Still, not all is lost, as boxing remains a top-class entertainment industry, especially in the UK. British commentators have even dared to call the 21st century the golden era of boxing — no doubt inspired by the new talent, Anthony Joshua.
The 21st century is the time of mega-fights, those that shake the sporting world to its core. Nevertheless, we expect things to get even more exciting, so if you want to learn more about the art of boxing, now is the time to get involved.