If you enjoy watching boxing on TV, it’s a safe bet you’re going to enjoy going to watch matches in person. Boxing is truly one of the best sports to watch live; TV doesn’t always do justice to the experience. For anyone who’s never attended a boxing match live – or if it’s been a while since your last one – the experience might surprise you in more ways than one. Therefore, we thought it’d be helpful to share some tips on what fans should know about attending a boxing match in person.
Dress Comfortably
One of the great parts of a boxing match is that there is usually no dress code. It’s not necessarily an upscale event that requires getting dressed up. Instead, just try to dress casually and comfortably. Chances are, you’ll be at the venue for a few hours, so make sure to wear something that isn’t going to make you feel uncomfortable over an extended period of time. Plus, there’s bound to be some walking involved, so opt for comfortable sneakers rather than dress shoes or flip-flops that will be tough to walk in.
Arrive Early
Most of the time, there will be several matches scheduled in the same ring. You might have your sights set on seeing the headliner, but there are undercard fights that will also be worth seeing, especially if you haven’t watched a lot of live boxing before. You never know what future stars could be fighting in one of the early matches. These early fights will also give you a chance to settle in and get ready for the headliner. Plus, if it’s a packed venue, you can avoid the crowd a little by arriving early.
Understand the Corners
One thing that doesn’t always translate onto TV is the importance of each corner of a boxing ring. The red corner is typically where they put the boxer who is favored or is more popular. While this isn’t always the case, that’s usually the fighter you’ll want to watch more closely.
Meanwhile, it’s worth understanding the people in each boxer’s corner and the role they play. That way, you won’t be confused about what’s going on in between rounds. Of the three people in each corner, the head trainer is the only one who’s allowed to step inside the ring between rounds. This is the person who helps the fighter with his mouthpiece and offers advice and encouragement during the break.
The other two people must remain outside the ropes while providing support. One of these people typically gives the fighter water or ice for their wounds. The other person in the corner is responsible for having a towel for the boxer and placing the stool so that the fighter can sit down between rounds. A good corner acts like a well-oiled machine and can be quite interesting to watch when you’re enjoying boxing in person.
Place a Bet on the Match
To add a little extra excitement to any boxing match, many people like to place bets. This can be as simple as picking the winner and loser of a specific match. But there are several other ways that people can bet on boxing, including a wager on how or when the fight will end. It goes without saying that you should start small when it comes to your wagers and learn about the ins and outs of boxing bets before placing a wager.
In some cases, there could be a sportsbook inside the venue that makes placing a bet easy. If not, there are many online boxing betting sites that make it possible to place a wager from a mobile device. Whether you’re ringside or lounging at home, these apps let you bet on the fly. Swipe, tap, bet – boom! Your wager is on.
Focus on the Empty Space
Where should you look during the actual boxing match? It might sound strange, but the best thing you can do is focus your attention on the empty space between the two fighters. You’ll still be able to see each fighter in your peripheral vision while getting a clear view of every punch that gets thrown. When you watch boxing in person, you’ll fully appreciate how quickly the fighters move, so if you try to follow each fighter with your eyes, you’re likely to miss something. But if you stay focused on the space between the fighters, you see everything and start to get a good idea of what fighter has the upper hand.
