Famous Boxers Who Love To Gamble
Boxing and gambling and two things that will forever be connected to one another. Since gambling is a part of boxing and all combat sports, many top fighters also partake in the action.
Here are six of the most famous boxers who love to gamble. Check out which famous boxers love to gamble below and their gambling stories.
Why Are Boxers Attracted to Gambling?
Sports betting is a huge part of boxing, so it shouldn’t surprise anyone that boxers also gamble. It’s kind of hard for boxers not to get in on the action when they’re right in the middle of it.
All of the top boxers in the world generally fight in big casinos or in a city where gambling is legal. Everyone is coming to the live casinos to see their fights and bet on them.
When a boxer finally makes it big and earns lucrative contracts, it’s common for them to indulge in high-stakes gambling. Many elite boxers train in Las Vegas, home to some of the world’s most prestigious live casinos. These casinos offer not just traditional gambling games but also luxurious experiences, treating boxers like royalty.
Many online platforms imitate this experience, as they offer high-stakes live casino games, such as poker and blackjack, to not only successful boxers but also everyday people. Ignition Live Casino caters to gamblers of all preferences, with live games that feature a human professional dealer who interacts with players in real-time.
Such a setup creates an authentic casino atmosphere, making it accessible to a broader audience and bringing the thrill of high-stakes live casino games to anyone, anywhere.
Floyd Mayweather Jr
Among the most famous boxers who love to gamble is the boxing GOAT Floyd Mayweather. “Money Mayweather” makes his home in Las Vegas and is no stranger to visiting the world’s best casinos.
Floyd is known for placing big bets on basketball games and is seen regularly in casino VIP areas playing cards. He is also known to place a bet on a fight every now and then.
During the press conference for his fight against Conor McGregor, Mayweather made a bet that he’d stop the Irishman. He put down a $400k bet that he’d stop Conor and easily cashed in on his big bet.
Oscar De La Hoya
Oscar De La Hoya is one of the most known famous boxers who love to gamble. The long-time Vegas resident knows his way around the casinos and is known for partaking in some games.
When Oscar isn’t booking fights, he’s in the casino putting down some big money. De La Hoya once told a story of when he put a $500k bet down on Tiger Woods to win the masters.
There’s been various other stories about Oscar in casinos for the last 30 years. The man definitely loves to party and play games in the casinos.
Manny Pacquaio
One of the most famous boxers who loves to gamble, who you might not know about is Manny Pacquaio. The legendary 8-division world champ is also a lowkey avid gambler.
In the Philippines, Manny has bet on everything from basketball, billiards, and cock-fighting. Pac-Man is also known for making annual trips to Macau to play in the city’s most known casinos.
If you ever visit there, you might just see the boxing legend there with his crew having a good time.
Bernard Hopkins
Bernard Hopkins isn’t really known for being one of the most famous boxers who love to gamble. However, the multi-time champion does have an interesting story about him placing a huge bet on himself.
When B-Hop fought Felix Trinidad in a title fight, an online sports betting site was one of his sponsors. They paid Bernard $100k to put their logo on his back for the fight.
Feeling confident, Hopkins also put down a $100k bet on himself through the website. He ended up cashing in and making a lot of money for this fight.
Mike Tyson
The Mike Tyson of today is a calmer person, who has found peace with himself. However, during Tyson’s prime, he was known for being a wild man and one of the famous boxers who love to gamble.
During his wild days, Tyson could be found in the middle of big parties in top casinos. Partying all night, while putting big money down while playing everything from blackjack to roulette.
Thankfully, for Mike and the rest of the public, he’s a different person than he was back then. Gambling is fun, but it can also lead to darker activities.
Evander Holyfield
Gambling can be a thrilling game, but it can also be a gateway to addiction and ruin a person’s life. One such instance involves one of the most famous boxers who love to gamble in Evander Holyfield.
During the 1990s, Holyfield was one of the best fighters on the planet. During his prime, Evander racked in over $150 million dollars.
However, that money would quickly deteriorate and Holyfield nearly went broke. He was reportedly making huge purchases and losing big bets on different sporting events.
Thankfully, Holyfield was able to get his finances under control and now he’s living comfortably in his later years.
