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Boxing odds are generally similar to odds in other sports, with the aim of balancing the bets on both sides. The goal of the bookmakers is to create an equilibrium where there is an equal amount of money wagered on each outcome, thereby minimizing their own risk. As a result, odds can change over time from the initial lines to achieve this balance.
Common types of bets in boxing include predicting the outright winner of the fight, speculating on whether the match will end in a decision or a knockout/technical knockout (KO/TKO), and placing wagers on the total number of rounds (over/under).
The process of setting the initial lines involves the expertise of professionals who make an educated guess based on factors such as the fighters' skills, past performances, and public sentiment. While the initial lines may exhibit some variance among different regions, they tend to converge quickly as information spreads globally.
It is important to note that gambling is a global activity, and therefore, the notion of arbitrage, which refers to exploiting price differences in different markets, does not apply to gambling in the same way it does in currency or stock markets. In boxing, for example, one cannot simply bet on Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas and simultaneously bet on Ricky Hatton in the UK to guarantee a profit due to differing odds. The nature of gambling and the bookmakers' efforts to balance the bets prevent such opportunities for arbitrage.
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