Boxing betting is all about having faith in your choices. Just as boxers can’t pull their punches, a punter needs to commit if they’re to find value in the odds. Waver for a second and either the odds will shift, or you’ll be caught in two minds on who to back.
Boxing is, after all, a simple sport. Two fighters against each other in a ring. Yet the detail with which you can dig when looking for the best boxing bet is incredible.
From backing a fighter to win in a certain round, to betting on the number of knockdowns, there are a lot of options available to those who plan to go further with their bets.
This guide will take you through five expert tips for betting on boxing, looking at the Paddy Power markets that are available for big fights.
We’re not going to tell you to “do more research” or “try live betting”. That’s for beginners to learn. We’re here to help you become a boxing betting expert by focusing on specific markets below.
Advanced boxing betting is about digging further into the odds and doing more research
Expert Boxing Betting Tips
There are more than 110 boxing bets available on the biggest fights at Paddy Power – and it’s these mage fights where you can really dig into the detail. Saying that, we aim to offer extensive odds on undercard fights too, so you’re limited to what you bet on.
Here are five top tips to get you thinking like an expert.
1. Bet on Round Groups
Bettors often try to predict the round that a fight will be stopped. It’s a great way to boost your odds when backing a big favourite whose match odds are too short to be worth bothering with. However, individual round betting is incredibly difficult to nail down because boxers don’t aim to KO each other in specific rounds.
If a fighter has a tactic to end a bout early then they will target a set group of rounds – and this is where your brain needs to do a bit of work. Say you’re betting on a heavy favourite who generally wins their fights between rounds 4 and 6. That grouping is what you should focus on, rather than throwing your full stake on Round 5.
Betting on round groups offers lower odds than individual rounds but gives you leeway either side, in case a boxer needs less or more time to finish the job.
2. Bet on Method
There are generally five outcomes in a boxing match:
- Fighter 1 wins via points/decision
- Fighter 1 wins via KO/TKO
- Draw
- Fighter 2 wins via points/decision
- Fighter 2 wins via KO/TKO
Most fans new to boxing betting gravitate towards the knockouts. This is the Hollywood option that we all love to see when we live stream boxing. Yet you should never overlook the points option.
Seasoned boxers know how to go the distance, while heavyweights usually push for 12 rounds. If a fighter keeps winning on points then it’s likely they will do so again, or at least push the fight to its 12-round limit.
Never bet on the draw. The odds are often high but it really is a rarity.
3. Bet on 60 Seconds
If you want a really quick bet that could pay out big then Paddy Power offers odds on fights lasting less than a minute. Now, you might get one fight on an entire card that is over within 60 seconds. It’s usually an undercard fight, where one hot prospect is coming up the ranks and turning over no-hopers.
If you spot one of these prospects on the undercard then this is where your money could be well spent. There’s never a guarantee a fight will end within 60 seconds but it’s possible when betting on younger boxers.
As for those more experienced, it’s highly unlikely you will see the referee stop the fight within a minute. That’s why the odds there can be really, really high.
4. Bet on Knockdowns
Knockdowns outside of the heavyweight division usually lead to defeat. Whether it’s via an immediate count out from the referee, or on the judges’ scorecards at the end. If you’re knocked down, you’ll have to KO your opponent in order to win.
This means bettors can effectively lay a fighter in the live boxing odds as soon as they hit the canvas. Their odds will shrink and the likelihood of them winning significantly reduces.
The only place where this formula isn’t a reliable option is in the heavyweight division. Tyson Fury has recently shown how heavy sluggers can recover from being knocked to the canvas and secure victory.
If you’re following heavyweight contests then backing a fighter to be knocked down – while ignoring the end result – is a far more worthwhile option.
5. Use Power Prices
Boxing betting guides always tell you to look for the best odds. That’s obvious – but what if the best odds come to you? Paddy Power offers boxing Power Prices on rumbles each week of the year, so you can lock in great odds.
Check out Paddy’s latest Power Prices in boxing betting
The boost can transform a normal-looking bet into something that carries real value. Of course, our big tip here is to weigh up the likelihood of the bet winning based on the old price. Would you have bet on a boxer to win a championship fight before the boost? If so, then consider the Power Price a bonus! If not, then look for a different bet that aligns with your research and predictions for the fight.
Read our regular boxing tips ahead of the biggest fights here!
THE PADDY POWER GUIDE TO SAFER GAMBLING – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW