Since the 18th century, boxing has been synonymous with betting, as the British defined the sport by making wagers available on either fighter and awarded prizes to the victors. Professional boxing as we know it today has grown tremendously and gone through good, bad and ugly stages, from its peak in the 1960s and 70s with the popularity of fighters like Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard to the more recent downfall and corruption associated with the careers of Mike Tyson and Don King, respectively.

Despite its ups and downs, pro boxing still thrives in Las Vegas, the gambling capital of the world, where boxing odds are available in almost every sportsbook. This article will focus on the different wagering options you have with betting boxing and give you tips on understanding boxing odds, including what factors to consider before placing a wager. Basics of Betting Boxing Sports bettors mostly enjoy boxing for its brutal nature and promotional build-up, with only the Super Bowl rivaling a major championship fight in terms of betting interest and media attention. It’s also very easy to place a bet on a boxing match, as you generally wager simply on who you think will win the fight or sometimes on the rare possibility of a draw, all based on money lines. If you are unclear about how money lines work, make sure to check out Reading and Understanding Money Lines.

Betting Tips for Success Boxing is the most controversial professional sport due to its close link to gambling and because it is driven solely by money. The best advice we can give you is to learn as much as you can about the fighters, especially heavy favorites since they will obviously require a much bigger investment. Like other sports, champion boxers can overlook opponents and may not always be as motivated as they should be going into a title fight.

There is also big money involved in fight rematches, so it shouldn’t be too surprising when an up-and-coming contender like Jermain Taylor knocks off a champion who hasn’t lost in more than 10 years like Bernard Hopkins. Some boxing contracts even have “rematch clauses” in them to guarantee another money-making fight, with Taylor-Hopkins being one of them. Another key point we can make using the Hopkins-Taylor fight as an example is that the popular fighter is generally over-rated and over-priced due to his status of being more well-known with the public. Because of this popularity factor, challengers like Taylor have great value and are worth betting on.

Boxers are notorious for breaking bones in their hands. This could be for a number of reasons. They have punched a hard surface such as a wall or another boxer’s jaw. Their punch was not ‘straight’ and the pinkie and ring finger bore the full impact. The boxer had not taped his hands up properly or even at all. In bare-knuckle fights a boxer will try to avoid punching his opponent in the jaw, as this is one of the most robust bones in the human body and he is more likely to break his hand than knock his opponent out. Boxing with gloves offers great padding on impact but essential support for the knuckles is lacking.

Applying a good boxing tape to your hands is one way you can protect your hands and improve your punch. Many boxers claim that wrapping their hands in tape keeps their bones supported and compressed meaning they can increase the force of the blow delivered and experience less pain. A strong tape will not only hold the bones in your hand firmly in place but can also serve as a reminder to boxers (particularly those new to the sport) of the importance of good hand positioning when striking your rival.

Applying hand tape for a boxing match should be done to suit the needs of the individual boxer. Some athletes may need extra wrist support; others may have old injuries in their thumb joints that need special consideration. Expert advice should always be sought from your coach or an experienced friend. There are many videos on YouTube offering advice to boxers but remember that you may need to be aware of any alterations you may need to make when wrapping your own hands ready for your next fight.