There’s nothing quite like the raw excitement and jacked-up anticipation of a Big Fight Night for kicking back in front of the wide screen with your crew, popping some cold ones then laying out the sandwiches and munchies as you settle back right before the fireworks begin.
In fact, about the only thing that can truly intensify the viewing experience for the serious (or even casual fan) is to lay some cold, hard, cash money on your fighter as you wait for that bell to ring and those fists to fly!
Good news?
In many ways boxing is still the surest (percentage-wise) money bet you can make and almost always is the one sporting event in which it is the least complicated to correctly pick the winner.
Bad News?
Ethically challenged scorecards, questionable refereeing and knuckleheaded opponents occasionally screw up the curve.
But let’s move onto the positives and focus on:
Our Top 5 Tips for Betting on Boxing
1. Boxing lines are so often swayed by the overwhelming momentum of pre-fight partisan pride that they are relatively easy to exploit.
Put even more simply, because of boxing’s basic, mano-a-mano, single-combat nature huge numbers of emotionally charged-up fans/bettors tend to wager with their hearts instead of their heads thus wildly swinging the line and making the cooler headed odds fat and juicy. Pay particular attention to any fights with that have a lot of hype and create a lot of emotion in the fan base. These type of fights can allow you to swipe a lucrative payoff that’s more like stealing money than gambling it. Look for aging, worn-out champs who’ve stayed in the game too long or young, untested, only moderately polished fighters pushed up the ladder too fast. Also keep an eye out for obvious mismatches (Mayweather/Marquez) and you’re in for a lovely score.
2. The “Hometown Advantage” is negligible.
Unless this “advantage” involves only one fighter having to cross oceans/continents where there may be a very slight fatigue/nutrition issue, the hometown advantage should be no factor at all in your decision. Evaluate the fighters and not the venue. If anything, a boisterous hometown atmosphere can occasionally lead solid professional fighters into critical errors in judgment (think Minter/Hagler or the 1st Diaz/Marquez) that may cost them a fight they could’ve or would’ve otherwise won.
3. Smart money looks for the smart prop bets.
Because of occasional mismatches that create heavy, heavy favorites the straight win/lose action, which may in fact be as close to a lock as there is, is not always the most productive to lay your green on. Look for the reasonable prop bets where the odds are a much more favorable wager. Gauge the fighter’s histories/tendencies and look for a clever prop such as the manner of the finish (TKO/KO/decision) or end round of the fight (within a 2-3 round range) which often offer very tasty odds that will line your pockets. Picking the exact round of the finish is not advised unless your last name happens to be Ali.
4. Bet Big.
When you’re feeling the lock and everything is in order (Pacquiao/Hatton) then throw it down and don’t look back! Once again, the heavy favorites may not even double your money but you’ll definitely have more than you woke up with that morning just for making the right decision.
5. It’s Boxing and KO’s do happen.
There’s no such thing as a 100% lock in boxing. The biggest favorite with a granite chin can still have his lights put out by the right shot. So don’t bet more than you can afford to lose even if you think you’re getting your money in at great value.
Check out the recent picks of our resident boxing expert Ian here. And if you’re ready to put these tips or Ian’s picks to work then head to BetOnline.ag to place your bets.